Chapter 11: Modern City 1945-1960
1)In which year did Montréal’s population reach one million?
A.1945 B.1951 C.1960 D.1961
Comment: Between 1945 and 1960, Montréal underwent one of the biggest growth spurts in its history. Population growth continued until it reached one million in the city in 1951. In addition to increasing immigration and the rural exodus—major elements of this growth—a new phenomenon appeared: the Baby Boom, a spectacular explosion in the birth rate that began immediately following World War II and lasted through 1965. It was connected with the economic upswing of the era, but also with the increase in marriages between younger partners. Sources: Encyclopédie canadienne , www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com (page consultée le 20 janvier 2007).
Sources: Encyclopédie canadienne , www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com (page consultée le 20 janvier 2007).
2)A symbol of modernity in the 1960s, I am one of Montréal’s first skyscrapers. What am I?
A.Place Ville-Marie B.Place Bonaventure C.1000 de La Gauchetière D.The Stock market building
Comment: Before 1927, Montréal legislation prohibited buildings higher than ten storeys. Then, buildings 20 to 30 storeys high were erected; they were considered Montréal 's first sky-scrapers, even if today they seem quite modest. Built between 1958 and 1962, Place Ville-Marie symbolizes the city's entry into the modern era. With its 46 storeys (188 metres high), and signature cross-shape, Place Ville-Marie is without a doubt one of Montréal 's most famous buildings.
Sources: Centre d'histoire de Montréal, Montréal en question , ville.montreal.qc.ca/chm (page consultée le 20 janvier 2007).
3)Which highway was built in response to the period's traffic problems?
A.Boulevard Dorchester B.Boulevard Métropolitain C.Boulevard Pie-IX D.None of the above
Comment: Although the idea of creating a thoroughfare connecting both ends of the Island of Montréal goes back to the 1920s, citizens had to wait more than thirty years before it was built. On June 6, 1957, City Council approved funding for the construction of the Boulevard Métropolitain. Construction began despite strong opposition from citizens, mostly residents of the City’s northern neighbourhoods which would be divided by the highway. A first stretch was opened to traffic in January 1960. Today, the highway is 52.8 km long and 6 lanes wide.
Sources: Pierre Turgeon. Les bâtisseurs du siècle . Lanctôt, 1996.
4)Jean Drapeau was elected mayor of Montréal in 1960 for which party?
A.The Civic Action League B.The Union Nationale C.The Great Montréal Rally D.The Civic Party
Comment: When he made his entry into municipal politics in the Civic Action League in 1954, Jean Drapeau (1916-1999), along with 17 other councillors, founded the Civic Party just before the 1960 municipal elections. His efforts were rewarded; after defeat in 1957, he was victorious in the following elections. As leader of the Civic Party, Jean Drapeau was re-elected consecutively until 1986, the year he was defeated by Jean Doré (1944-) of the Rassemblement des citoyens et des citoyennes de Montréal (RCM).
Sources: Ville de Montréal. Section des archives, La démocratie à Montréalaise exhibit , www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives (site visité le 2 février 2007).
