Maurice Duplessis

A conservative and strong supporter of provincial rights, he was a founder of the Union Nationale party (1935), and his governments were characterized by the lavish use of patronage, anti-communism and strong-arm methods, and effective electoral campaigning, often involving the Roman Catholic Church. A slogan commonly heard from the pulpit was Le ciel est bleu; l'enfer est rouge (Heaven is blue [Union Nationale]; Hell is red [ Liberal ]).

After his death, Quebec society was caught up in a swift cultural change away from his conservative, church-oriented policies towards a highly secular, socially liberal welfare state. This was called the Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille).