Pierre Trudeau, Then and Now

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11-12

Pierre Trudeau, Then and Now

Project type: Web Quest

Related topic:
Trudeaumania: A Swinger for Prime Minister

Subjects

History
Political Science

Summary

Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research and prepare a summary of Pierre Trudeau's political and historical legacy.

Duration

2 lessons

Purpose

To understand the political and historical legacy of a given figure

Before Exploring

This activity is best suited for senior-level students of History and/or Social Studies who may already have some background in Canadian history. The task will focus on the CBC Digital Archives site along with any other relevant sources of information that teachers and students may wish to consult.

Outline the Opportunity

Students are to prepare a summary or overview of Pierre Trudeau’s political legacy and historical importance to Canada, which they will present orally, in any format they wish, to the class.

Divide the class into groups, each one focussing on a specific period during or after Trudeau’s political career:

1965-68 –Trudeau enters politics

1968-1972 – Trudeau’s first government

1972-74 –Trudeau’s second (minority) government

1974-79 –Trudeau’s third government

1979-80 –Trudeau in opposition

1980-84 –Trudeau’s fourth government

1984-92 –The years of retirement (1)

1992-2000 –The years of retirement (2)

Students are to obtain as much information as possible about Trudeau’s political life and activities during the period they are researching, and state why they think his achievements or actions during this time are of lasting political or historical significance. They should also explain how Trudeau’s actions impacted on important events that were taking place in Canada and/or the world during the period they are studying. Each group should also choose at least one major achievement or activity of Trudeau’s during their period that they think is politically and/or historically important for Canada today, and explain why they think so.

Revisit and Reflect

Have each group make its presentation to the class. As each group presents, create a list that names the significant political or historical legacy, of Trudeau’s, that was chosen by the group as representative of its time period. The class as a whole can then make an overall summary of Trudeau’s significance for Canada. Interested students can write a one-to-two page personal reaction statement explaining what they think Trudeau’s importance is to young Canadians today, and why (or not) they believe him to be a significant figure in recent Canadian political life and history.

Print
Axworthy, Thomas and Pierre E. Trudeau. Towards a Just Society: The Trudeau Years. Markham ON: Viking, 1990.
Brimelow, Peter. The Patriot Game. Toronto: Key Porter, 1986.
Clarkson, Stephen and Christina McCall. Trudeau and Our Times. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1990-94.
Gossage, Patrick. Close to the Charisma: My Years between the Press and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1986.
Graham, Ron. One-Eyed Kings: Promises and Illusion in Canadian Politics. Toronto: Collins, 1986.
Graham, Ron, ed. Trudeau's Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Toronto: Random House, 1998.
Granatstein, J.L. and Robert Bothwell. Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy. Toronto: U of Toronto Press, 1990.
Gwynn, Richard. Northern Magus: Pierre Trudeau and Canadians. Markham ON: Paper Jacks, 1981.
McRoberts, Kenneth. Misconceiving Canada: The Struggle for Canadian Unity. Toronto: Oxford UP, 1997.
Parent, Etienne. Paddling with the Current: Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Edmonton: U of Alberta Press, 1998.
Richler, Mordechai, ed. Trudeau Albums. Toronto: Penguin Studio, 2000.
Trudeau, Pierre E. Memoirs. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1993.
Trudeau, Pierre E. Against the Current: Selected Writings, 1939-1996. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1996.
Valpy, Michael. The National Deal: The Fight for a Canadian Constitution. Toronto: Fleet, 1982.

Film
The Champions. (National Film Board of Canada, 1986: D. Brittain, dir.)
Memoirs. (CBC, 1993: T. McKenna, dir.)