Abstract:

This article discusses the importance of the historical process in the construction of national identity, especially in the context of the emergence of land-based, civil Quebec identity. Quebec nationalism, like Catalan and Scottish nationalism, is usually described as ethnic nationalism. Since ethnic nationalism is often portrayed as reactive and even racist, the definition of Quebec identity as ethnic nationalism underestimates and weakens Quebec nationalism. If it is necessary in everyday life, ethnic nationalism in the academy is linked with wisdom and capacity, while civil nationalism is expressed with the concepts of equality, freedom and brotherhood of the French Revolution. While this article suggests that history holds an important place in the construction of national identity, it shows how French Canadian nationalists have created a new identity by writing history from the beginning to legalizing their sovereignty projects: the civil Quebec nation. Keywords: ethnic nationalism, civil nationalism, Quebec nationalism, Quebec identity, Silent Revolution Abstract This article examines the role of historical process in the construction of national identity, focusing on the emergence of a territorially-based civic Quebec identity. Quebec nationalism, just like its Catalan and Scottish counterparts, is usually defined as ethnic nationalism. However, such delineation of Quebec identity marginalizes and undermines Quebec nationalism because ethnic nationalism is usually described as reactionary and even racist. Both academic and colloquial uses of ethnic nationalism involve irrationality and tribalism while civic nationalism is usually associated with the enlightenment of the French Revolution along with its concepts of equality, freedom and fraternity. This article suggests that history is a major component in the construction of national identity. It argues that the French Canadian nationalists, seeking to legitimize their projects of sovereignty, reinvented their history by creating a new identity: the civic Québécois nation. Keywords: ethnic nationalism, civic nationalism, Quebec nationalism, Quebec identity, Quiet Revolution