When territory gives meaning to history: A case study in the Lower St. Lawrence
The article analyzes the subject of Quebec’s outlying regions on the basis of a case study on Louis Bertrand, a major figure who marked the development of L’Isle-Verte during the19th century. Our study focused on three facets of the topic: the question of periphery, the historiography of the seigneury system, and the concept of region in Lower Canada. A study of this nature underscores the difficulties inherent in the application of contemporary concepts to the analysis of territorial situations from the past. These considerations constitute a solid basis for further enrichment and rethinking of regional history studies. They also demonstrate that new methodologies need to be developed and brought forward if we are to gain an improved understanding of the tensions and complexities that underlie the historical construction of territories.