Francophone nationalism

At the beginning of the 19th century, there emerged an increased consciousness about the existence of a “Canadian nation.” In francophone Canada, the liberal professions, associated with small business, devoted themselves to the defence of traditional French Canadian institutions and opposed English merchants, public servants, American immigrants, and so-called “French Canadian traitors.” The Roman Catholic religion – central to everything – the French language, and francophone traditions, history, and institutions emerged as distinctive aspects of French Canadian culture that had to be safeguarded. French Canadian nationalists came together in organizations such as the Société du Parler Français au Canada and the Association Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Some went beyond passive resistance, founding political parties or embracing resistance movements such as that of the Patriotes. In Acadia nationalist strategies were determined principally at national conventions, which set in motion the rebirth of the Acadian nation.