"Breakaway Quebec in 1885 or so" Topic

As some may know, our on again off again GASLIGHT campaign involves the Yankee invasion of Canada around 1885 or so. Bear in mind that the main driving force behind this was figures on hand at the time I was introduced to GASLIGHT.

Both sides welcome any and all Foreign Advisers. we have had Mexicans, Russians, Japanese and Prussians.

Since the esteemed Mexican Jack Squint has seen fit to send me a box O'French, I decided that Quebec has to break away. My first instinct was to call the breakaway province a "Republic". HOWEVER, all that I have read was the conservative Quebecois were appalled by the leftist excesses of the French Republic(s). I hesitate to make the revolting Quebecois leftists, mainly because one of my units will be Papal Zouaves.

What do my friends north of the border suggest for the form of government, and grievances of the breakaway Quebecois?
More to the point, why on Earth would they ally with the Protestant Yankees? Unless it is "the enemy of my enemy"…

How about a resurgent Bonaparte? Napoleon III might have exiled there or some other family member.

Hmmmmm…
I wonder how that would fit in with conservative Quebec. Bonaparte is not exactly up their alley.

Ok, even more fun, a Bourbon…

>slaps forehead<
Ah!

There used to be this joke where a Quebec separatist leader was mocking the Canadian Prime Minister about what they should declare themselves when they separate…

Should they declare themselves the Duchy of Quebec so the leader could call himself a Duke?

Naw, should they declare themselves the Principality of Quebec so he could declare himself Prince?

Naw, What about the Kingdom of Quebec so he could declare himself King? (Roi)

So the Prime Minister looked at this separatiste leader and said "Why don't you just call it a Country" ;)

(say it all out loud and it makes more sense)

Ok, even more fun, a Bourbon…

with water?

Branch or Rain water only

Well currently the biggest bone of contention seems to be "advertising signs that aren't French enough" and that the country they wish to separate from doesn't give them enough money.

It's so funny it's wearing clown shoes……..

Ok, even more fun, a Bourbon…

On the rocks actually.

IIRC, there were several Bourbon lines in existence (and some are still around) and I'm sure that some scion or another could be plucked to start a new branch of Bourbons in New France/Quebec.

In fact, couldn't Quebec change its name *back* to New France? Do the people of Quebec see themselves as "Québécois" or as French?

Take a page out of the Da Vinci Code-have the descendant of one of the Meroevingian (or Joan D' Arc) create a movement for a 'pure' New France. Embrace the 'lost' French around the world: Cajun, Vietnamese?,Algerien?, Levantine?, Provecal Albigensian remnants, Papacy of Averoigne(Richelieu descendent) etc?Quebecois Musketeers? Quebecois Free Irish Legion? Swiss & Swedish mercenaries? Better Treaty with native tribes?

Oh, and try to take back Ohio….

DaVinci Code? What rubbish. I will go back to the True Source that Brown stole it from, "Holy Grail Holy Blood"!

I can see it taking shape now. A New France run by the Prieure de Sion would certainly have a large pragmatic streak when it comes to allying with Protestants.

No one ever said that a conspiracy had to be competent. How's that Merovingian dynasty resurgence coming along?

You can still call it Republic for your game regardless of what they think of the French Republic. Grievances have always been cultural to this very day with the rest of english speaking Canada. Maybe you can call it the "Maple Syrup, Poutine Revolution." Have Celine Dion sing their battle hymns and new national anthem.

Historically Quebec in 1885 was probably more involved in Canada then in other times. Quebec was very isolationist and the Anglo Businessmen and the Church kept a tight control on things . This basically remained intact until the "Quiet revolution" era of the 1960s when French speaking nationalists took a greater role in how their province was run. So anything "leftist/socialist would be a non starter

The papal Zouaves were an excellent example of Quebec's conservatism having been formed to defend the papacy against foreign attack the returning veterans were treated as heroes and their participation was a feature of religious processions until the 1930's

At this time there as heavy emigration of Quebecois to New England to look for jobs in the mills and factories. So despite the language and religious difficulties there was a actually a close connection between the two. areas. So a possibility might be a federation of Quebec and New England allied against both the English businessmen of Canada and the New York financiers.

Bourbons 'betrayed' Nouvelle France, search for a lateral line (through a woman, excluded for royal succession since the Lois Salique link hoax) of the Capetian line link
e.g. link (but not through the wives of English kings!)

The Priory of Sion, of course
Opposed by the secret descendants of The Templars, because of curse placed on the French Bloodline by the last Grand Master Jacques de Molay link when burnt at the stake link = link YouTube link / YouTube link

I assume that the Quebec rebellion of 1885 was in sympathy with the Northwest rebellion, or Riel Rebellion, of the same year? They would come out in arms in support of their Metis brethren? Good figure range from RAFM!

Regardless of its regime a "Quebec Libre would have received a strong support from most of the French public opinion, regardless of political alignment. Anti-'English' feelings were still intense despite the recent alliance during the Crimean War. First the 'Red Coats' had be the 'hereditary enemy' since Richard the Lion heart at the very least. Then, after the defeat of 1871 French popular history glorified the memories of a few 'national heroes': Vercingetorix, Napoleon and specially Joan of Arc. The process of 'trial to canonization' of Joan of Arc was launched in 1874 (she was claimed 'venerable' in 1894).
In 1898 after the Fashoda incident French popular opinion screamed for retaliation against the 'Perfidious Albion' and was intensively pro-Boers until 1902.

I think Spontoon has a good one – in particular Riel's trial and execution incited agitation on the part of the Quebecois, who viewed it as anti-Catholic as well as anti-francophone. They weren't as upset over the quelling of the rebellion, but the subsequent prosecution went overboard (Riel was certifiable by the end).

Then, the horrid though of newly raised, New York, Irish Zouaves marching north to support their catholic brethren. Serious bad clothes days ahead.

The Riel idea is a good one. To finish it off, add in a "Conscription Crisis". Quebecoises rioted in 1917 when Canada legislated conscription to fill out the ranks of the previously all volunteer Canadian Forces in Flanders. Quebec felt little loyalty to either Britain or "corrupt" republican France.

So…. After having hanged Riel, the Canadian government legislates conscription and extra taxation to handle some international crisis. The "Quebec Lieutenant" of the Anglo PM balks and leaves the government to head an all-Quebecois breakaway faction in Parliament. The Anglo PM – acting in a mood of heady, pro British jingoism – declares this faction "treasonous" and moves to arrest and jail all Quebecois MP's.

They flee to Hull, PQ – across the river from Anglo Ottawa and safely in French Canada. A skirmish breaks out when Ontario militia units attempt the arrest by force. The Ontario boys are driven back across the river by Quebecois militia.

Ontario mobilizes to bring Quebec to heel. And it's war.

You can add period colour by featuring the Orange Lodge in English Canada and all sorts of other wacky pro Queen Vic outfits.

The Quebec leader would be unlikely to be royal. Why don't you make him a pompous windbag of a politician. Of course, he would be from the Quebec elite. Went to university at the Sorbonne after finishing high school at an elite Jesuit private academy. His family owns thousands of acres in the Eastern Townships with hundreds of loyal, hockey playing, church-going retainers. And he would have an ally in the local Catholic bishop.

His Ontario counterpart would be staunchly Protestant and Scottish and rant about "Catholic subversion" and his "duty to oor magnificent wee Queen!"

If he's like Mackenzie King, he could even have bizarre seances where he gets "advice" from his pet dead terrier.

Pretty much Canadian life in the late 1800's. Or 1950's, for that matter.