Les relations internationals de Montreal depuis 1945

In: Relations internationales: revue trimestrielle d'histoire, Heft 130, S. 5-27

Abstract

Only in recent history have American & Canadian cities developed international activities. For a long time, the federal government was considered to be the sole actor in this field. Local politicians had little interest in this type of activity. Montreal's case reflected this situation until 1960. That year, Jean Drapeau was elected mayor as series of sociopolitical changes, known as the Quiet Revolution, swept through Quebec. The provincial elite wanted to break with the province's traditional image. At the level of Montreal, this phenomenon gave birth to the idea of organizing great international events, which in turn served to show the world that Quebec was the vanguard of modernity. This paradigm became obsolete with the economic slow-down of the 1980s. Like other Canadian & American cities, Montreal focused on the local economy. International relations were then seen as a means to reach that goal & they underwent a phase of major development in that perspective. Adapted from the source document.