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[[Image:Trudeau.jpg|220px|right]]

'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Quebec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. He strongly endorsed Canadian nationalism and fought the secessionist elements in [[Quebec]], but to do that he angered much of English speaking Canada.  His energy policies angered the Prairie Provinces, especially [[Alberta]], permanently weakening his party there. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Quebec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. He strongly endorsed Canadian nationalism and fought the secessionist elements in [[Quebec]], but to do that he angered much of English speaking Canada.  His energy policies angered the Prairie Provinces, especially [[Alberta]], permanently weakening his party there. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==

==Career==

===Parliament 1965 ===

===Parliament 1965 ===

In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization.  He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984.  Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967.  Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Quebec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal;  Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization.  He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984.  Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967.  Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref>See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]],<ref>See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']</ref> to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Quebec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal;  Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of  "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19, 1968.  He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of  "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19, 1968.  He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===1974 win===

===1974 win===

The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity to give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy.  In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref>  Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.

The Trudeau government was little interested in economic growth, and allowed prosperity to give way to stagnation and recession as unemployment and inflation proved intractable. Trudeau was reelected with only a minority government in the 1972 election, in part because of a slowing economy.  In the 1974 election Trudeau won a majority, after ridiculing Conservative economic policies, which he had to adopt himself a year later. The economy performed poorly through the late 1970s and Trudeau lost his first general election to the Conservatives in 1979 under the [[Joe Clark]]<ref>See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001651 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' on Clark]</ref>  Clark's minority government tried to privatize Petro Canada, but soon lost a no-confidence vote.

===Foreign and defense policy===

===Foreign and defense policy===

The Trudeau years were especially difficult for the armed forces. Bilingualism strained good will; management skills displaced combat leadership as criteria for promotion. Budget freezes and inflation prevented the modernization of weapon systems, and lowered the prestige of Canada in NATO. Trudeau at first decided, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe; he later warmed up to NATO.  Trudeau cared little for the military, and the opposition did not exploit his failures.<ref>Granatstein and Bothwell, (1990) p 260</ref>  

The Trudeau years were especially difficult for the armed forces. Bilingualism strained good will; management skills displaced combat leadership as criteria for promotion. Budget freezes and inflation prevented the modernization of weapon systems, and lowered the prestige of Canada in NATO. Trudeau at first decided, against internal opposition, to reduce Canadian forces in NATO stationed in Europe; he later warmed up to NATO.  Trudeau cared little for the military, and the opposition did not exploit his failures.<ref>Granatstein and Bothwell, (1990) p 260</ref>  

To make up for growing military weakness Trudeau promoted Third World friendships and tried to strengthen Canada's national hockey team.<ref> Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68. </ref>

To make up for growing military weakness Trudeau promoted Third World friendships and tried to strengthen Canada's national hockey team.<ref>Paul Conlin, "The Cold War and Canadian Nationalism on Ice: Federal Government Involvement in International Hockey during the 1960s". ''Canadian Journal of History of Sport'' 1994 25(2): 50-68.</ref>

===1980 win===

===1980 win===

In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada.  To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British government in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]--something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.

In 1980 Trudeau won a majority, easily defeating Conservative Joe Clark. In 1982, Quebec voters narrowly rejected a separatist "sovereignty-association" option, but many expected that sooner or later the province would vote for independence from Canada.  To head this off, Trudeau engineered changes in the federal constitution, ending the role of the British government in amending the constitution. Trudeau successfully mobilized Canada's major interest groups in support of a [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]—something like the American [[Bill of Rights]]. He persuaded all the to accept the new constitution, except for Quebec, which refused its assent. Frustrated, Trudeau resigned both the premiership and party leadership in June 1984.

===Policies===

===Policies===

==Personal==

==Personal==

Trudeau retired from politics on June 30th, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].   

Trudeau retired from politics on June 30, 1984 and was succeeded by [[John Turner]].   

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.   

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.   

* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.

* Granatstein, J. L. and Bothwell, Robert. ''Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy.'' (1990). 478 pp.

* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography  

* Ricci, Nino. ''Extraordinary Canadians: Pierre Elliott Trudeau'' (2009), popular biography  

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[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]