history of Quebec from the end of the First World War to 1960, for
I have devoted considerable attention to the Liberal party and the
minor political movements. Political developments have been described
against the background of the industrial revolution which has been
changing the face of Quebec ever since the First World War. More-
over, an attempt has been made to show the relationship between the
various political parties and the trade unions, the farmers' organiza-
tions, the nationalist and patriotic associations, and the many Catholic
Action groups.

The book was in most respects completed before the provincial
election of 1962. That election and other developments since 1960
would seem to confirm statements made at the end of chapter IX con-
cerning certain trends in Quebec today. In this connection it is rather
ironical that the Liberal and other opposition parties, which were so
critical of Duplessis for his ultra-nationalism, have adopted identical
policies on the question of provincial rights and taxation as the former
Union Nationale leader. In fact, some present-day political leaders and
movements go even further than Duplessis in their demands for country-
wide recognition of the rights and interests of the French Canadian.

In the preparation of this study I received help and assistance from
many individuals, only a few of whom can be mentioned here. I wish
to express my thanks and appreciation for the constructive criticism
and encouragement of Professor Thomas P. Peardon of Columbia Uni-
versity, under whose direction the study was originally prepared as a
doctoral dissertation. Professor Wynne Francis of the Department of
English, Sir George Williams University, gave me invaluable aid in
editing the text for publication. I am indebted to my former colleague,
Dr. G. O. Rothney of Memorial University, a keen student of Quebec
politics during the many years he taught at Sir George Williams, for
turning over to me his sizable collection of newspapers, clippings, pam-
phlets, and periodicals, dealing with Quebec politics during the period
between 1930 and 1950. I would like to thank Miss F. G. Halpenny and
the editorial staff of the University of Toronto Press for their sugges-
tions and many forms of assistance in putting the manuscript through
its various stages. Finally, my wife, who read successive versions of the
study, helped in innumerable ways and prevented me from making
many errors both of fact and of judgment.

HERBERT F. QUINN

Sir George Williams University
May, 1963

-vi-