Changes

The FLQ was composed of a number of nominally independent cells, a common terrorist organizational model.  One cell was led by academics at the University of Quebec, and the FLQ enjoyed a fair amount of support among left-leaning university students and faculty.  The most notorious of these were the Liberation Cell and the Chénier Cell, both of which were directly involved in the October crisis.  Members of the FLQ received training in terrorist tactics from members of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] as well as other groups.

The FLQ was composed of a number of nominally independent cells, a common terrorist organizational model.  One cell was led by academics at the University of Quebec, and the FLQ enjoyed a fair amount of support among left-leaning university students and faculty.  The most notorious of these were the Liberation Cell and the Chénier Cell, both of which were directly involved in the October crisis.  Members of the FLQ received training in terrorist tactics from members of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] as well as other groups.

The terrorist actions, and the history of the FLQ, comprised six waves of attacks.  The earlier attacks, those of the first three waves, took place during 1963 and 1964.  These included the bombing of a railroad used by the prime minister, as well as bombings of various bastions of English speakers in the province, including various businesses and [[McGill University]].  This was followed by a streak of thefts of money valued at more than half a billion [[Canadian dollar|Canadian dollars]], more extensive terrorist training, and the theft of weapons.

The terrorist actions, and the history of the FLQ, comprised six waves of attacks.  The earlier attacks, those of the first three waves, took place during 1963 and 1964.  These included the bombing of a railroad used by the prime minister, as well as bombings of various bastions of English speakers in the province, including various businesses and [[McGill University]].  This was followed by a streak of thefts of money valued at more than half a billion [[Canadian dollar]]s, more extensive terrorist training, and the theft of weapons.

In 1965, the group expanded substantially through mergers with other Quebécois nationalist groups.  These acquisitions included various left-wing groups and served to strengthen the extant socialist tendencies of the FLQ.  The ensuing years saw further bombings by the group, resulting in the deaths of several members as well as a number of innocents.  In 1966 Canadian police forces took strong action against the group, arresting a number of high-profile members.

In 1965, the group expanded substantially through mergers with other Quebécois nationalist groups.  These acquisitions included various left-wing groups and served to strengthen the extant socialist tendencies of the FLQ.  The ensuing years saw further bombings by the group, resulting in the deaths of several members as well as a number of innocents.  In 1966 Canadian police forces took strong action against the group, arresting a number of high-profile members.

1969 saw the group's boldest action yet, the bombing of the Montreal Stock Exchange, which caused massive destruction and injured 27 people.  Later that year the FLQ bombed the home of Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau, though he escaped uninjured.

1969 saw the group's boldest action yet, the bombing of the Montreal Stock Exchange, which caused massive destruction and injured 27 people.  Later that year the FLQ bombed the home of Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau, though he escaped uninjured.

== The October Crisis ==  

== The October Crisis ==

On October 5, 1970, members of the FLQ kidnapped the British Trade Commissioner in Canada, James Cross.  Soon after they kidnapped Pierre Laporte, the Vice-Premier of Quebec.  Laporte was murdered a week later.  With Cross still under their control, the FLQ sought to leverage public opinion in their favor and organized massive student strikes throughout the province.  They put out a list of demands including the release of various imprisoned Quebécois nationalist figures and a hefty ransom.

On October 5, 1970, members of the FLQ kidnapped the British Trade Commissioner in Canada, James Cross.  Soon after they kidnapped Pierre Laporte, the Vice-Premier of Quebec.  Laporte was murdered a week later.  With Cross still under their control, the FLQ sought to leverage public opinion in their favor and organized massive student strikes throughout the province.  They put out a list of demands including the release of various imprisoned Quebécois nationalist figures and a hefty ransom.