Laurier: The Great Compromiser

Sir Wilfrid Laurier…The Facts

Sir Wilfrid Laurier P.M. 1896-1911 Canada’s first French Canadian Prime

Minister The “Great Compromiser”

How do you please your French Canadian supporters while also pleasing the English Canadian majority?

The Status of English French Relations

Question: Why do we have a holiday every May 24th weekend?

Answer: To celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday and Canada’s strong ties to the British Empire.

Question: What province would choose NOT to take part in this public holiday?

Answer: Quebec!

Ideas concerning Canada’s link to GB:

Many E-C’s believed that Canada was destined to become one of the most powerful nations in the world, following in G.B.’s footsteps

F-C’s disliked the strong ties to Britain. Their deep patriotism was rooted in Quebec and the French language.

WHAT IS THE PRIME MINISTER GOING TO DO TO PLEASE EVERYONE?!

Laurier eventually lost the 1911 election due to a:

B – Boer War A – Alaska Dispute R – Reciprocity N – Naval Issue

• A Time of Imperialism: European rivals were in a race to win more colonies.

• Laurier did not want to be dominated by either G.B. or the U.S.

Issue #1 The Boer War 1899

What could the British possibly want from South Africa?

Issue #1 The Boer War 1899

Issue #1 The Boer War 1899

British are fighting the Dutch Afrikaners (Boers) in South Africa – diamonds and gold

British turn to their empire, and ask Canada to support them

Canada divided: French Canadians – “We are not interested in someone else’s war!”

English Canadians – “We should show our loyalty to the Empire!”

The Decision…

Laurier compromises: Sends only volunteers. 7300 Canadian volunteers enlisted to fight for

G.B army.

Significance:

1. English Canadians felt he hadn’t done enough

2. French Canadians said it was too much. Some French politicians quit the Liberal party

Issue #2 The Alaska Boundary Dispute 1898-1903

Canada and the U.S. need to establish proper boundaries after the discovery of gold in the Yukon.

Canada is a united front: “It is within our nation’s

border”

The Decision..

Laurier’s decision:The final say belonged to England, who sided

with the U.S. to keep them as a close ally.

Laurier does not continue to press the issue.

Significance:

1. Shows Canada that Britain is not committed to her.

2. Shows Canada that she needs to grow up and take care of her own political affairs.

Issue #3 Reciprocity – Free Trade with the U.S. 1911

The U.S. wants to tax-free import Canadian raw materials – lumber/wheat/minerals

Canada divided:

Canada’s West supports this – they make money by exporting their raw materials to the U.S. tax-free, and save money by importing U.S. made manufactured goods tax-free.

Ontario businessmen (factory owners) want to keep taxes on American made goods to keep their products competitive. Ontario is an economic powerhouse of the country.

The Decision..

Laurier’s compromise:calls an election – Key issue – Reciprocity (free trade)

Significance:1.Laurier loses the election – Reciprocity is

rejected

2.Canada’s western provinces feel left out. They resent all the power being concentrated in Ontario.

Issue #4 The Naval Crisis 1910

Dreadnought

Question: What two European superpowers are competing to build the largest navy and control the seas?

Answer: England and German

Issue #4 The Naval Crisis 1910

Britain is in an arms race with Germany (battleships –dreadnoughts) for control of the seas.

Britain turns to her empire and asks Canada to send $$$ for more ships

Canada divided: French Canadians – “If we commit to this, we

will be committed to every imperial conflict!”

English Canadians – “It is smart to stay connected to the protection of the Empire!”

The Decision…

Laurier compromises: We won’t send money, but we will establish Canada’s own navy that, in times of crisis, could become part of the imperial navy.

Significance:

1. Shows Canada’s strong ties to Britain and Empire

2. Laurier loses the 1911 to Sir Robert Borden and his Conservatives.

• Laurier’s loyalty to both Eng. and Fr. grew into a key issue in the 1911 election – he tried to appeal to both sides, but was “attacked from all sides”

• “I am branded in Quebec as a traitor to the French and in Ontario, as a traitor to the English….in Quebec I am attacked as an imperialist, and in Ontario as an anti-imperialist”

- Laurier

  In 1911, pro-

British Canadians voted Conservative, and Robert Borden became the new PM.

He would lead Canada through WWI