Secession in the cold

[matthew mckeon]

After spending a week in Quebec, I was struck by the Quebecois movement to seperate from Canada and the Southern movement to secede from the USA. Nobody is getting killed, after a few skimishes in the 1830s, and a brief terror incident in the 1970s. In fact, many Quebec residents, especially the young, think its a bit of a bore.

Some points to ponder.

The Quebec seperatist movement is legal and democratic, and is recognized as such by the federal government and the other provinces. Obviously not the case in the 1860s.

The cause is not a fear that a hostile federal government will interfere with their "rights"(however we define that), but an ethnically based nationalism.

It might happen, if the seperatist politicians can convince the enough voters. The whole concept of secession is a dead letter in the USA.

[unionblue]

Matthew,

Got any web sites with more information in the Quebec separation movement?

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[matthew mckeon]

Dear Neil,

My laziness prevents me from finding any links. If you spend any time in Quebec(like 20 minutes), the seperatist issue is usually mentioned. You might try the blogger Taylor Owen, who writes on security issues, but his site links to several Canadian political blogs.

[matthew mckeon]

The Quebec seperatist movement, based on an ethnic and language definition of citizenship has had difficulty gaining adherents among immigrants to the province. Consistently most non French residents vote against seperating from Canada. Interesting parallel with immigrant German Southerners, who often remained loyal to the Union. (although other immigrant groups in the South supported the Confederacy)