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Laurier: The Great Compromiser

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?.

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Laurier: The Great Compromiser

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  1. Laurier: The Great Compromiser

  2. 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?

  3. 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!

  4. Ideas concerning Canada’s link to GB: • Many E-C’s believed that Canada was destined to become one of themost 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?!

  5. Laurier eventually lost the 1911 election due to a: • B – Boer War • A – Alaska Dispute • R – Reciprocity • N – Naval Issue

  6. 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.

  7. Issue #1 The Boer War 1899 What could the British possibly want from South Africa?

  8. Issue #1 The Boer War 1899

  9. Issue #1 The Boer War 1899 • British are fighting the Dutch Afrikaners (Boers) inSouth Africa – diamonds and gold • British turn to their empire, and ask Canada to support them • Canada divided: • French Canadians – “We are not interested in someoneelse’s war!” • English Canadians – “We should show our loyalty to the Empire!”

  10. The Decision… • Laurier compromises: • Sends only volunteers. • 7300 Canadian volunteers enlisted to fight for G.B army. • Significance: • English Canadians felt he hadn’t done enough • French Canadians said it was too much. Some French politicians quit the Liberal party

  11. Issue #2The 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”

  12. 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: • Shows Canada that Britain is not committed to her. • Shows Canada that she needs to grow up and take care of her own political affairs.

  13. 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.

  14. The Decision.. • Laurier’s compromise: calls an election – Key issue – Reciprocity (free trade) Significance: • Laurier loses the election – Reciprocity is rejected • Canada’s western provinces feel left out. They resent all the power being concentrated in Ontario.

  15. 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

  16. 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!”

  17. 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.

  18. 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

  19. In 1911, pro-British Canadians voted Conservative, and Robert Borden became the new PM. • He would lead Canada through WWI

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