‘’La clé du mystère’’ (“The Key to the Mystery”) is an antisemitic booklet that was published in Quebec in 1938. In its 32 printed pages, its articles falsely accused Jews of worldwide conspiracy and communism. The booklet was published by Adrien Arcand under the name of the Ligue feminine anti-communiste de Montréal.
“La clé du mystère” Booklet
‘’La clé du mystère’’ (“The Key to the Mystery”) is an antisemitic booklet that was published in Quebec in 1938.
The booklet was published by Adrien Arcand under the name of the Ligue feminine anti-communiste de Montréal.
Antisemitism in Quebec before World War II
Antisemitism refers to discrimination against or hostile attitudes towards Jews based on religious, racial, political or economic prejudices. Although it existed in Canada before the 20th century, antisemitism rose between World War I and II, and fascist political parties were developed. In Quebec, Adrien Arcand referred to himself as the “Canadian Führer” and, inspired by Hitler’s anti-Jewish policies, created the National Unity Party.
Antisemitism was also present in the political and intellectual spheres of Canadian society at the time. Including articles entitled “Why the Jew can’t be a Canadian” and “Communism, a means to Jewish conquest”, the “Clé du mystère” booklet served to to reinforce those prejudices and discrimination towards Jews.
Antisemitism and the Holocaust
The Holocaust – the genocide of 6 million Jews during World War II – was the most extreme demonstration of antisemitism. Despite the rise of awareness since the Holocaust, antisemitism still exists today.
Benjamin Orenstein donated this document to the Montreal Holocaust Museum in 1986.
This project is part of the implementation of the Plan culturel numérique du Québec.
