Determining Bias and Frame of Reference Exercise
Read the following two brief histories of French-English relations in Canada and answer the questions
that follow.
Canada: The Struggle Continues
By Denis Papineau
Canada: Two Peoples One Nation
By Angus Macdonald
Between 1600 and 1760, the dream of a
French nation, New France, seemed possible.
The British Conquest and the Proclamation of
1763 that was designed to force French Canada
to give up its language, religion and culture
shattered this.
Fortunately for French Canada, the
American Revolution halted British assimilation
plans. Afraid of revolts in both the American
Colonies and Quebec, the British passed the
Quebec Act in 1774, which gave some
protection to French laws, land rights and
religion.
Despite government support for British
immigration to Canada, French Canada still
existed as a major culture by the 1860’s. So
another scheme to reduce French influence,
Confederation, was introduced. Under this plan
French Canada went from having an equal
number of votes to that of English Canada in the
old Union government, to being a minority in a
new Federal Government of Canada.
Since 1867, the French have continually
seen their rights and wishes ignored by a hostile
English Canada. In 1885, their hero Riel was
hung. Then in World War I and II, they were
forced to join and to fight overseas despite
objections.
Finally French Canada had had enough.
In 1976, the people of Quebec elected Rene
Levesque and the first separatist government. It
is only a matter of time now until French Canada
becomes independent.
In 1760 the British conquered New
France. Yet within 14 years they had passed the
very generous Quebec Act. The British did this
because they realized that respect for the laws,
land rights and religion of their former enemies,
would gain them the co-operation necessary to
govern this new colony.
For many years, the French and the
English worked together successfully governing
the new colony. By the 1860’s, however, it was
clear that a new form of government was
needed. Political deadlock in the Canadas, plus
the economic and defensive advantages of a
larger government to include all of Britain’s
colonies in North America made Confederation
desirable.
The representatives of both French and
English Canada voted to create the new nation
of Canada. Granting provincial governments
control over such matters as education, religion,
and civil rights protected the cultural rights of
both groups. The new nation was a partnership.
There have been some conflicts between
French and English Canada since 1867. But
usually compromises have been worked out and
power has been shared. For example, we have
had many French Canadian Prime Ministers
such as Laurier, St. Laurent and Trudeau.
That is why most Canadians want to see
Canada remain one nation. It is the reason that
Quebec rejected separatism in the referendum
vote of 1980. Vive Le Canada!
Denis Papineau is a Professor of History at
Laval University, Montreal, and a former
candidate for the Parti-Quebecois.
Angus Macdonald is a Professor of History at
York University, Toronto. He is a Liberal
supporter and President of the ‘One Canada’
movement.
Determining Bias and Frame of Reference
1. In 15-20 words, state the bias of Mr. Papineau concerning the history of French-English
relations in Canada.
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2. In 15-20 words, state the bias of Mr. Macdonald concerning the history of French-English
relations in Canada.
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3. Explain how the frame of reference of Mr. Papineau might explain his bias on the history of
French-English relations.
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4. Explain how the frame of reference of Mr. Macdonald might explain his bias on the history of
French-English relations.
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5. Bias often causes people to select different facts. Show this is true by indicating two facts that
the history of Mr. Papineau had that were NOT in the history of Mr. Macdonald.
(a)
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(b)
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6. Bias can also lead to different interpretations of the same fact. Show this is true by finding
two facts both histories agree on but interpret differently.
(a)
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(b)
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