History UsefulNotes / PierreTrudeau

In foreign policy, Trudeau was a master diplomat. For instance, he stole a march from the United States in foreign policy when he formally recognized the isolated Communist China in 1970, making Canada one of the first to do so and before US President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon dared. Trudeau also managed to punch above his country's weight like when he got Canada included as a part of the G-7, the formal organisation of the world's most powerful economies. As for dealing with the the United States, as much as Trudeau was aware of the diplomatic realities of being next door to a often temperamental superpower, which he likened to "sleeping with an elephant[[note]], no matter how friendly or even-tempered the beast, we are affected by every twitch and grunt[[/note]]," he was not intimidated by its leadership. For instance, when was discovered that Nixon called him an "asshole," Trudeau nonchalantly shrugged and quipped, "I've been called worse things by better people."

In foreign policy, Trudeau was a master diplomat. For instance, he stole a march from the United States in foreign policy when he formally recognized the isolated Communist China in 1970 before US President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon dared. He also managed to punch above his country's weight like when he got Canada included as a part of the G-7, the formal organisation of the world's most powerful economies. As for dealing with the the United States, as much as Trudeau was aware of the diplomatic realities of being next door to a often temperamental superpower, which he likened to "sleeping with an elephant[[note]], no matter how friendly or even-tempered the beast, we are affected by every twitch and grunt[[/note]]," he was not intimidated by its leadership. For instance, when was discovered that Nixon called him an "asshole," Trudeau nonchalantly shrugged and quipped, "I've been called worse things by better people."

For years, Trudeau was the face of Canada with a strong liberal legacy that his political opponents like Brian Mulroney and Steven Harper were determined to extinguish. However, his Liberal successors--including his own son, Justin, who became Prime Minister (the first child of a former PM to do so) in 2015 with a massive Liberal majority--have managed to keep that legacy alive and (in Justin's case) even expand upon it.

He was a famous lawyer and intellectual who traveled the world, but also got involved in political affairs in the province of Quebec such as supporting the famous asbestos miner's strike in 1949 that laid the groundwork for the French speaking population to have the Quiet Revolution in which the French speaking population of the province took control of its economic affairs that were previously dominated by the English speaking population.

He was a famous lawyer and intellectual who traveled the world, but also got involved in political affairs in the province of Quebec such as supporting the famous asbestos miner's strike in 1949 that laid the groundwork for the French speaking population to have the Quiet Revolution in which the French speaking population the province took control of its economic affairs that were previously dominated by the English speaking population.

He was a famous lawyer and intellectual who traveled the world, but also got involved in political affairs in the province of Quebec such as supporting the famous asbestos miner's strike in 1949 that laid the groundwork for the French speaking population to have the Quiet Revolution.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. During that time, he made a distinctive presence beyond his portfolio such as when he stood up to French Prime Minister UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle when he violated all diplomatic propriety with his "Vive le Québec libre!" outburst, thus fanning Quebec separatism. Namely, Trudeau publicly mused about how would the Frenchman would have liked it if the Canadian Prime Minister went to France and roared, "Brittany for Bretons!" which provoked De Gaulle to expose his hypocrisy when he got huffy at the logical question about diplomatic meddling in another nation's internal tensions.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. During that time, he made a distinctive presence beyond his portfolio such as when he stood up to French Prime Minister UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle when he violated all diplomatic propriety with his ""Vive le Québec libre!" outburst, thus fanning Quebec separatism. Namely, Trudeau publicly mused about how would the Frenchman would have liked it if the Canadian Prime Minister went to France and roared, "Brittany for Bretons!" which provoked De Gaulle to expose his hypocrisy when he got huffy at the logical question about diplomatic meddling in another nation's internal tensions.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. During that time, he made a distinctive presence beyond his portfolio such as when he stood up to French Prime Minister UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle when he violated all diplomatic propriety with his "Vive Le Quebec Libre!" outburst thus fanning Quebec separatism. Namely, Trudeau publicly mused about how would the Frenchman would have liked it if the Canadian Prime Minister went to France and roared, "Brittany for Bretons!" which provoked De Gaulle to expose his hypocrisy when he got huffy at the logical question about diplomatic meddling in another nation's internal tensions.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. During that time, he made a distinctive presence beyond his portfolio such as when he stood up to French Prime Minister UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle when he violated all diplomatic propriety with his "Vive Le Quebec Libre!" outburst thus fanning Quebec separatism. Namely, Trudeau publicly mused about how would the Frenchman would have liked it if the Canadian Prime Minister went to France and roared, "Brittany for Britons!" which provoked De Gaulle to expose his hypocrisy when he got huffy at the logical question about diplomatic meddling in another nation's internal tensions.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. During that time, he made a distinctive presence beyond his portfolio such as when he stood up to French Prime Minister UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle when he violated all diplomatic propriety with his "Vive Le Quebec Libre!" outburst thus fanned Quebec separatism. Namely, Trudeau publicly mused how would the Frenchman would have liked it if the Canadian Prime Minister went to France and roared, "Brittany for Britons!" which provoked De Gaulle to expose his hypocrisy when he got huffy at the logical question about diplomatic meddling in another nation's internal tensions.

Trudeau's hopes were not in vain; less than a year and a half after first winning a seat in the 1965 general election, Trudeau was appointed Justice Minister in April 1967. A while later, Pearson retired, and Trudeau himself was voted by the party to replace the retiring Pearson, and headed the 1968 federal election. Already riding a solid campaign, the event that really sealed the deal was during St. Jean Baptist Day in Montreal, the day before the voting, when Trudeau attended the annual parade. There, Quebec sovereignists rioted in the streets and threw rocks and other objects at the grandstand where Trudeau sat; his aides urged him to leave, but Trudeau outright refused to be intimidated by the mob and stayed in his seat staring down the hooligans. This was all caught on camera and the electorate was impressed enough to vote Trudeau a strong majority government.

In foreign policy, Trudeau was a master diplomat. For instance, he stole a march from the United States in foreign policy when he formally recognized the isolated Communist China in 1970 before US President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon dared. He also managed punch above his country's weight like he got Canada included as a part of the G 7, the formal organisation of the world's most powerful economies. As for dealing with the the United States, as much as Trudeau was aware of the diplomatic realities of being next door to a often temperamental superpower, which he likened to "sleeping with an elephant[[note]], no matter how friendly or even-tempered the beast, we are affected by every twitch and grunt[[/note]]," he was not intimidated by its leadership. For instance, when was discovered that President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon called him an "asshole," Trudeau simply nonchalantly shrugged and quipped, "I've been called worse things by better people."

In foreign policy, Trudeau was a master diplomat. For instance, he stole a march from the United States in foreign policy when he formally recognized the isolated Communist China in 1970 before US President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon dared. He also managed punch above his country's weight like he got Canada included a part of the G 7, the formal organisation of the world's most powerful economies. As for dealing with the the United States, as much as Trudeau was aware of the diplomatic realities of being next door to a often temperamental superpower, which he likened to "sleeping with an elephant[[note]], no matter how friendly or even-tempered the beast, we are affected by every twitch and grunt[[/note]]," he was not intimidated by its leadership. For instance, when was discovered that President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon called him an "asshole," Trudeau simply nonchalantly shrugged and quipped, "I've been called worse things by better people."

This set off a fad called Trudeaumania in which Trudeau was literally mobbed like a rock star. His policies helped feed that good feeling such as abolishing the legal ban against homosexuality (As Trudeau noted, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation"), eased up divorce laws and setting up efforts to promote bilingualism so the French speaking population could feel that they had a real place in all of Canada. He even stole a march from the United States in foreign policy when he formally recognized the isolated Communist China in 1970 before US President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon dared.

Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau (October 18, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}'s 15th Prime Minister, one of its longest serving and one of its most controversial.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pierre_trudeau.jpg]]

'''Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau''' (October 18, 1919 – September 28, 2000) was UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}'s 15th Prime Minister, one of its longest serving and one of its most controversial.

A Catholic conservative Quebec nationalist in his school days in the 1930s and early 40s, he grew disillusioned with that ideology (and its quasi-fascist overtones) through his studies abroad and turned to the left and Canadian federalism. Although a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (forerunner of the New Democratic Party) when he first entered politics, he eventually went to the Liberal Party of Canada since he felt they had a real shot at power and actually carry out his ambitions. Trudeau got his wish with leader Lester B. Pearson becoming Prime Minister in the 1960s and he was appointed Justice Minister.

After two very productive terms, Trudeau himself was voted by the party to replace the retiring Pearson, and headed the 1968 federal election. Already riding a solid campaign, the event that really sealed the deal was during St. Jean Baptist Day in Montreal, the day before the voting, when Trudeau attended the annual parade. There, Quebec sovereignists rioted in the streets and threw rocks and other objects at the grandstand where Trudeau sat; his aides urged him to leave, but Trudeau outright refused to be intimidated by the mob and stayed in his seat staring down the hooligans. This was all caught on camera and the electorate was impressed enough to vote Trudeau a strong majority government.

Although originally a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (forerunner of the New Democratic Party), he eventually went to the Liberal Party of Canada since he felt they had a real shot at power and actually carry out his ambitions. Trudeau got his wish with leader Lester B. Pearson becoming Prime Minister in the 1960s and he was appointed Justice Minister.

After that, Trudeau retired in 1984, but still remained an elder statesman in Canada such as when he denounced proposed constitutional reforms like Meech Lake Accord. When he died in 2000, he was hailed as one of the great Canadian figures with a massive state funerals that had mutual enemies like former US President UsefulNotes/JimmyCarter and Cuban Dictator UsefulNotes/FidelCastro attending. In 2004, Trudeau was ranked #3 Greatest Canadian, topped only by the heroic athlete/cancer activist Terry Fox and the socialist politician Tommy Douglas.

For years, Trudeau was the face of Canada with a strong liberal legacy that his political opponents like Brian Mulroney and Steven Harper were determined to extinguish. However, with his son, Justin Trudeau, who was elected Prime Minister himself with a strong majority government in 2015, Pierre's legacy may live on.

''' Pierre Elliott Trudeau''' (October 18, 1919 -- September 28, 2000) was UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}'s 15th Prime Minister, one of its longest serving and one of its most controversial.

So, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, which put Canada in a State of Emergency much like martial law complete with mobilizing the army to increase security. While some principled politicians like UsefulNotes/TommyDouglas condemned this as excessive, the move was immensely popular with much of the Canadian public and the forceful response took violence off the table for the cause of Quebec Separation permanently.

After that, Trudeau struggled to reform the Canadian Constitution to finally give Canada full practical political independence from Britain. The negotiations were long, arduous and acrimonious with Quebec complaining of being sidelined, but a constitution was achieved with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms which spelled out specific constitutional rights for the first time for Canadians[[note]]albeit with a bitter compromise of a "Notwithstanding Clause" that enabled parliaments to ignore court decisions on most rights outside voting rights for up to five years, which thankfully has become largely politically unthinkable for the Federal Government to use[[/note]].

For years, Trudeau was the face of Canada with a strong liberal legacy that his political opponents like Brian Mulroney and Steven Harper were determined to extinguish. However, with his son, Justin Trudeau, now Prime Minister himself with a strong majority government, Pierre's legacy could still live on.

''' Pierre Elliott Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}'s 15th Prime Minister, one of its longest serving and one of its most controversial.

After that, Trudeau retired in 1984, but still remained an elder statesman in Canada such as when he denounced proposed constitutional reforms like Meech Lake Accord. When he died in 2000, he was hailed as one of the great Canadian figures with a massive state funerals that had mutual enemies like former US President UsefulNotes/JimmyCarter and Cuban Dictator UsefulNotes/FidelCastro attending.

This set off a fad called Trudeaumania in which Trudeau was literally mobbed like a rock star. His policies helped feed that good feeling such as abolishing the legal ban against homosexuality (As Trudeau noted, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation") and setting up efforts to promote bilingualism so the French speaking population could feel that they had a real place in all of Canada.

After that, Trudeau struggled to reform the Canadian Constitution to finally give Canada full practical political independence from Britain. The negotiations were long, arduous and acrimonious with Quebec complaining of being sidelined, but a constitution was achieved with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms which spelled out specific constitutional rights for the first time for Canadians[[notes]]albeit with a bitter compromise of a "Notwithstanding Clause" that enabled parliaments to ignore court decisiond on most rights outside voting rights for up to five years, which thankfully has become largely politically unthinkable for the Federal Government to use[[/notes]].

After that, Trudeau retired in 1984, but still remained an elder statesman in Canada such as when he denounced proposed constitutional reforms like Meech Lake Accord.

''' Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (1919-2000) was UsefulNotes/Canada's 15th Prime Minister, one of its longest serving and one of its most controversial.