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Sir Wilfrid Laurier. 7 th Prime Minister of Canada July 11, 1896 ~ October 5, 1911. Background. Born in Canada East, Laurier was born into a French family with Liberal ideals Studied in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the age of 11 to learn the British ways
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Sir Wilfrid Laurier 7th Prime Minister of Canada July 11, 1896 ~ October 5, 1911
Background • Born in Canada East, Laurier was born into a French family with Liberal ideals • Studied in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the age of 11 to learn the British ways • After graduating from McGill with a law degree, Laurier ran the newspaper Le Défricheur • The newspaper supported the Parti Rouge, a radical left wing party
Early Political Career • In 1874 Laurier was elected into the House of Commons as a Liberal member • Served as Minister of Inland Revenue during Alexander MacKenzie’s short reign • Defended Louis Riel in 1885 • Laurier became the leader of the Liberal party in 1887
Path to Prime Minister • With the death of John A. MacDonald, Charles Tupper became the leader of the Conservative Party • Unable to bring a solution the Manitoba Schools Question, the Conservative Party was split in two • In the election of 1896 Wilfrid Laurier and his Liberal Party beat Tupper and his Conservative Party
Accomplishments • Introduced Canada to a period of economic growth • Solved the Manitoba Schools Question • Fought for French speaking Canadians and the Catholic Church • Won the most consecutive elections ever • Oversaw the creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan
Fall From Grace • Naval Service Act • Alaska Boundary Dispute • Boer War Dispute • Reciprocity
The Aftermath • Lost to Borden’s Conservative party in 1911 • Served as the Opposition leader until his death in 1919 • 50,000 people lined the streets of Ottawa to watch Laurier’s funeral procession
My $0.02 on Laurier • One of the greatest Prime Ministers Canada has ever had • It seemed like Laurier had the interests of Quebec before the interests of Canada • Helped Canada gain independence from Britain
Bibliography • "Laurier, Sir Wilfrid." The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004558>. • "Laurier-Biography-First Among Equals." Welcome to the LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website | Bienvenue au site Web BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADA. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3181-e.html>. • "Wilfrid Laurier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrid_Laurier>.