Laurier’s vision for Laurier’s vision for Canada was one that Canada was one that meant recognition for meant recognition for Canada as a nation Canada as a nation with interests with interests different from those different from those of Britain and the U.S. of Britain and the U.S.

ImperialismImperialism

Establishing colonies away from the Establishing colonies away from the homeland (British colonies in Canada)homeland (British colonies in Canada)

In the 19th Century many European In the 19th Century many European countries were competing to gain countries were competing to gain colonies around the world.colonies around the world.

There was a divide in both support for There was a divide in both support for Imperialism from the English and the Imperialism from the English and the FrenchFrench

English-Canadian ViewsEnglish-Canadian Views

Most supported itMost supported it-Would have Military support-Would have Military support-Links with nations with similar social and -Links with nations with similar social and

political political valuesvalues Others thought they should be independent from Others thought they should be independent from

Britain because they’d be seen as inferior (economy, Britain because they’d be seen as inferior (economy, foreign relations, culture, and government)foreign relations, culture, and government)

Small number believed that Canada should join the Small number believed that Canada should join the U.S. (They felt trade and transportation links naturally U.S. (They felt trade and transportation links naturally flowed north-south.)flowed north-south.)

French-Canadian ViewsFrench-Canadian Views

They didn’t feel as loyal to the British empireThey didn’t feel as loyal to the British empire Strong sense of pride in their French-Canadian culture Strong sense of pride in their French-Canadian culture

and heritageand heritage Early 1600s marked the first settlements of French in Early 1600s marked the first settlements of French in

Quebec and even though Quebec had been conquered Quebec and even though Quebec had been conquered in 1759, it was still the homeland of the French-in 1759, it was still the homeland of the French-Canadian cultureCanadian culture

They were a minorityThey were a minority Their culture and rights were threatened by the Their culture and rights were threatened by the

imperialist movementimperialist movement At Confederation 1867 – Quebec had been guaranteed At Confederation 1867 – Quebec had been guaranteed

the use of French language in their courts, the use of French language in their courts, government, and schools.government, and schools.

Incidents since 1867, made the Incidents since 1867, made the French feel like they were losing French feel like they were losing their rights: their rights: 1) Louis Riel and the Metis1) Louis Riel and the Metis:: Riel was viewed as a rebel by the English speaking Riel was viewed as a rebel by the English speaking

people of Ontario (He had ordered the execution of people of Ontario (He had ordered the execution of Thomas Scott, an English-speaking protestant who Thomas Scott, an English-speaking protestant who protested against Riel’s provisional gov’t on the protested against Riel’s provisional gov’t on the settlement. He was also part of a group that settlement. He was also part of a group that believed English Protestants should rule the west)believed English Protestants should rule the west)

He was a hero to French people (esp. Quebec) for He was a hero to French people (esp. Quebec) for fighting for French-speaking Metis.fighting for French-speaking Metis.

His execution 1885 was seen as a direct attack on His execution 1885 was seen as a direct attack on French Canadian culture by the federal governmentFrench Canadian culture by the federal government

2) French Language Schools outside Quebec: 2) French Language Schools outside Quebec: 1870 Manitoba1870 Manitoba -English and French were given equal -English and French were given equal

status at gov’t, courts, and schools. status at gov’t, courts, and schools. French Roman Catholic (RC) separate schools were French Roman Catholic (RC) separate schools were

supported by gov’t tax money. supported by gov’t tax money. French became a minority in 1890, pressure was to French became a minority in 1890, pressure was to

make all schools English speaking. make all schools English speaking. The COMPROMISE:The COMPROMISE: Laurier suggested no longer having a French system Laurier suggested no longer having a French system

supported by taxpayers but have Roman Catholic supported by taxpayers but have Roman Catholic teachers provide religious instruction to RC students teachers provide religious instruction to RC students for part of the day. for part of the day.

French speaking teachers would be provided when French speaking teachers would be provided when there were classes with 10 or more French students. there were classes with 10 or more French students.

This was changed again to This was changed again to allall EnglishEnglish in 1916. in 1916.

1905 Alberta and Saskatchewan1905 Alberta and Saskatchewan English majority wanted to ‘Canadianize’ the new immigrants who English majority wanted to ‘Canadianize’ the new immigrants who

were arriving speaking a number of different languages in all were arriving speaking a number of different languages in all English school system.English school system.

Laurier was sympathetic to Catholic and French language teaching, Laurier was sympathetic to Catholic and French language teaching, BUT gov’t support went to an English language school system. BUT gov’t support went to an English language school system.

Minorities could set up separate schools if they wished.Minorities could set up separate schools if they wished. Ontario after 1900Ontario after 1900 French speaking population had risen to 10% of the province French speaking population had risen to 10% of the province Their push to have French language interests, was seen as a threat Their push to have French language interests, was seen as a threat

to British institutions and imperial unity. to British institutions and imperial unity. Regulation 7Regulation 7 in 1910 made English the official language for in 1910 made English the official language for

schools in Ontario. schools in Ontario. 17 years later in1927- the gov’t allowed some bilingual schools in 17 years later in1927- the gov’t allowed some bilingual schools in

the province.the province. Henri Bourassa (French Canadian Nationalist) “If we let the French Henri Bourassa (French Canadian Nationalist) “If we let the French

minorities which are our outposts be sacrificed one by on, the day minorities which are our outposts be sacrificed one by on, the day will come when the Province of Quebec itself will undergo assault.” will come when the Province of Quebec itself will undergo assault.”

Quebec nationalism continued to gain momentum.Quebec nationalism continued to gain momentum.

3) Two views: Bicultural Canada or Separation3) Two views: Bicultural Canada or Separation -Should the French stay within Canada and -Should the French stay within Canada and

confederation ORconfederation OR -Should the Quebec separate from Canada?-Should the Quebec separate from Canada? -Laurier AND Bourassa both believed in the -Laurier AND Bourassa both believed in the

first optionfirst option -Canada could be bicultural and bilingual -Canada could be bicultural and bilingual

where French and where French and -English cultures and languages could be -English cultures and languages could be

treated equally.treated equally.

A number of issues fueled this debate in A number of issues fueled this debate in the early 1900s.the early 1900s.

They are:They are: 11)BOER WAR)BOER WAR - took place in South Africa – trouble (gold - took place in South Africa – trouble (gold

and diamond discoveries) between the British settlers and diamond discoveries) between the British settlers and the Boers (descendants of the Dutch). and the Boers (descendants of the Dutch).

Boers declared war on Britain and Britain asked Boers declared war on Britain and Britain asked Canada to send soldiers.Canada to send soldiers.

English – “Yes”, anxious to take partEnglish – “Yes”, anxious to take part French – “No”, Canada should not take part in French – “No”, Canada should not take part in

imperialist warsimperialist wars Laurier- tried to satisfy both sides – no official army Laurier- tried to satisfy both sides – no official army

sent but would send 1000 volunteers sent but would send 1000 volunteers **In the end, 7300 volunteers were sent and $2.8 M **In the end, 7300 volunteers were sent and $2.8 M

spentspent

22)NAVAL CRISIS)NAVAL CRISIS 1909 – possibility of war between Britain and Germany 1909 – possibility of war between Britain and Germany

was very real.was very real. Germany was on its way to having the largest Navy in Germany was on its way to having the largest Navy in

the world and the British wanted (colonies) Canada’s the world and the British wanted (colonies) Canada’s help to build more ships of their own.help to build more ships of their own.

Laurier set up the Naval Service Bill – Canada would Laurier set up the Naval Service Bill – Canada would have its own army but would be under control of Britain have its own army but would be under control of Britain in emergency situationsin emergency situations

French- Canadian Nationalists did not like it – as we French- Canadian Nationalists did not like it – as we could be sent anytime to fight British imperialist warscould be sent anytime to fight British imperialist wars

Conservative Party said Laurier was setting up a “tin-Conservative Party said Laurier was setting up a “tin-pot” navy when immediate contribution was needed to pot” navy when immediate contribution was needed to the British navythe British navy

3) 3) Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute – conflict with the United States – conflict with the United States U.S. purchased Alaska from Russian in 1867- the deal included the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russian in 1867- the deal included the

“panhandle” – which was a strip of coastline extending south into “panhandle” – which was a strip of coastline extending south into what Canada considered to theirs. The wording of the treaty was what Canada considered to theirs. The wording of the treaty was “fuzzy” and no one really cared until gold was discovered in the “fuzzy” and no one really cared until gold was discovered in the Yukon.Yukon.

In 1898 – the Gold Rush brought in prospectors who needed outfits In 1898 – the Gold Rush brought in prospectors who needed outfits and supplies.and supplies.

Both Canadian and US merchants wanted to take advantage of the Both Canadian and US merchants wanted to take advantage of the business.business.

Eventually there were judges appointed to settle the matter. 3 from Eventually there were judges appointed to settle the matter. 3 from the US, 2 Canadians appointed by Britain and one Englishman (from the US, 2 Canadians appointed by Britain and one Englishman (from England)England)

The case was settle with 4-2 against the Canadians.. the Englishman The case was settle with 4-2 against the Canadians.. the Englishman sided with the US.sided with the US.

Canadians were outraged!Canadians were outraged! The International Joint Commission was set up to settle peacefully The International Joint Commission was set up to settle peacefully

future disputes between Canada and the United States over future disputes between Canada and the United States over boundary waters or rivers along the Canadian- American border.boundary waters or rivers along the Canadian- American border.

** Canadians were more determined to see Canada make its own ** Canadians were more determined to see Canada make its own decisions in the future.decisions in the future.

4) 4) Reciprocity- (Trade)Reciprocity- (Trade) an agreement between two countries to trade certain an agreement between two countries to trade certain

products without tariffs (taxes).products without tariffs (taxes). Farmers wanted lower tariffs on goods traded between US Farmers wanted lower tariffs on goods traded between US

and Canada.and Canada. High tariffs meant high prices for farm products and High tariffs meant high prices for farm products and

materials.materials. While tariffs can help to protect home industries by limited While tariffs can help to protect home industries by limited

foreign competition, it can also mean that prices on foreign competition, it can also mean that prices on protected home goods goes upprotected home goods goes up

Laurier worked out a reciprocity agreement - all products Laurier worked out a reciprocity agreement - all products from Canadian farms, fisheries forests and mines would be from Canadian farms, fisheries forests and mines would be allowed into the United States free of tariffs. allowed into the United States free of tariffs.

Taxes on U.S. items like farm implements, building Taxes on U.S. items like farm implements, building materials, and autos would be lowered.materials, and autos would be lowered.

Some people were opposed feeling that the cheaper Some people were opposed feeling that the cheaper American goods would put them out of business.American goods would put them out of business.

People were still angry about what happened in AlaskaPeople were still angry about what happened in Alaska Worried about the trade between north and south ruining the Worried about the trade between north and south ruining the

railway system they’d worked so hard to build.railway system they’d worked so hard to build.

TWO main issues TWO main issues defeated Laurierdefeated Laurier

Naval Service BillNaval Service Bill and the and the RReciprocityeciprocity deal deal with the U.S.with the U.S.

French Canadians did not want to be involved French Canadians did not want to be involved in British Imperialist disputesin British Imperialist disputes

English Canadians did not want to be taken English Canadians did not want to be taken over by American economic interestsover by American economic interests

So the Anti-imperialists joined the So the Anti-imperialists joined the Conservatives to defeat the Liberals in 1911Conservatives to defeat the Liberals in 1911