Canada

1. Canada In the Age of Imperialism

2. Canadian Nationhood • French & British Canadian rebellions in 1837-38 • Failed but underscored cultural divide • Durham Report – “Two nations warring in the bosom of a single state” • Said Crown should allow Canadians better representation • Economic and population growth and the costs of empire led to Canadians and the Crown to pursue confederation • Efforts led by Sir John A. Macdonald and George E′tienne Cartier

3. Canadian Nationhood • Three conferences • Charlottetown (PEI) Conference 1864 - Maritime provinces had insisted on their own separate govts • NS, NB, PEI • Larger provinces pushed successfully for larger union • 2nd conf. scheduled • Quebec Conference 1864 • Adopt “72 Resolution” – basis for confederation • Representation question settled by agreement on bi-cameral parliament (HofC & Senate) • Smaller provinces demanded this • Also agreed to split Province of Canada into Quebec and Ontario

4. Canadian Nationhood • London Conference – Dec. 1866 • “72 Resolutions” presented to British govt. • Formed basis for British North America Act • Signed by Queen Victoria in April 1867 • Dominion of Canada officially born July 1, 1867 • Four Provinces • Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia • Others follow in the coming decades • Ottawa selected as capital • 2 official languages – English and French • Federal system of power sharing between natl. govt. and provinces similar to U.S. • Legislature similar to British Parliament rather than U.S. Congress

5. Canadian Westward Expansion • PM Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s govt. pushed for westward expansion • Min. of Interior Clifford Sifton extolled virtues of western Canadian land and resources • Opportunities for personal advancement and prosperity • Expansion of markets and employment • Growth of Canadian seaports

6. Min. of Interior Clifford Sifton Canadian PM Sir Wilfrid Laurier

7. One Concern…Immigrants • In luring immigrants, quantity or quality? • Sifton argued a policy emphasizing quality • Sought 3 types of immigrants • Americans, Northern England/Scotland, and Euro farmers and peasants willing to WORK • Paid shipping agents to sift those coming to Canada • British Canadians feared becoming a minority in their own country • Insisted upon “Canadianizing the Newcomer” and limiting numbers

8. PM Laurier Pushes Railroad Expansion • Called on Parliament to fund expansion • Said western people, resources, markets needed to be connected to the East • Used patriotic statements and stern warnings about foreign competitors tapping western trade • “Heaven grant that it be not already too late…” Laurier • Railroads got govt. funding but ended up over-building, losing money, and competing with unfunded RRs • Critics charged that RRs should have been privately funded • At least they would look for the promise of commercial success before sinking money into a project

9. Did Canada Consider Itself Part of the Empire? • Many identified with glories of the empire • Independence appealed to many but feared U.S. annexation • Some even wanted annexation but talk of it or independence … • “(was) absurdity, if not treason” (Sir John Thompson (1893) • When some in Quebec were attracted to annexation by the U.S. • Opponents stated that “to remain French there is only one thing we can do: remain English.” (Judge Louis Jetté, Quebec Superior Court)

10. 3 Different Views • Canadian imperialist Stephen Leacock • Colonialism a worn-out idea & independence dangerous and unwise • Imperial Federation would provide greatest benefits • French Canadian Nationalist Henri Bourassa • British Imperialism demands colonial men and material – French Canadian men included • French Canadians have undying love for France • All decisions should be made by B & F Canadians • Sir Wilfrid Laurier – Moderate • Strong policy of Canadianism makes greatness for country and Empire

11. Stephen Leacock Henri Bourassa

12. What Did Britain Expect? • Sharing costs of Empire • Colonial Sec. Joseph Chamberlain stated • Canada is mature and should not expect mother country to continue paying for its defense • All colonies should contribute to the defense of the empire as a whole • Commercial relations should be inter-imperial • This would hasten development in colonies and make Britain independent of foreign goods

13. French vs. British Canada • French Canadians generally thought Canada should not fight Empire’s wars outside North America • British Canadians eager to assert nationalism through active participation in imperial affairs • Laurier hoped to avoid F vs. B Canadian fight • Critics called him “Waffley Wilfy” or “Sir Won’tfrid • F C’s - Canada’s contribution to Empire – defense of Canada • B C’s – Best protection of Empire – common imperial military system

14. The American Issue • Settlement of disputed border between Alaska & Canada went in U.S. favor • Thanks to swing vote of British member of an arbitration committee • Happened under Laurier’s Liberal Party • Canadians generally upset with U.S. & GB • U.S.-proposed free trade agreement supported by Laurier as way to open U.S. market to western Canadian ag. Goods • Conservs portrayed plan as damaging to Canada • Next election – Conservatives won control of Parl.

15. Robert Borden • A conservative who was weak on issues dealing with Quebec • Had to balance pro-Empire BCs and anti-imperial FC nationalists • Issues dealing with Imperial strength and Canadian defense were unsolved as WWI commenced • Political divide prevented real progress • WWI even provoked a divide • Heavy losses made FCs question involvement

16. First World War in Canada • Super-patriots hostile to “Enemy Aliens” & foreigners in general • Tax increases • Inflation due to rapid war-related industrial expansion • Railways nationalized to keep supplies and men moving • Jobs, wages, inflation all rose • Benefits of market during war offset by inflation • Outnumbered FC opponents of conscription couldn’t defeat it • War over before conscripted troops made a difference but political consequences would be costly

17. After the War • Canada won promises of greater input in imperial decisions • Canada signed Treaty of Versailles • Canada joined League of Nations • Soldiers had to be resettled • Often at expense of women in workplace

18. Realities of Nationalism and Imperialism • Canada felt no automatic obligation to collective security • Canadians sought “normalcy” like U.S. • PM Mackenzie King’s government concentrated on domestic harmony before foreign affairs during the 20s • The 1926 Balfour Declaration finally created the Commonwealth with Britain and its dominions considered as equals in a partnership • The Statute of Westminster (1931) finalized the constitutional definition of “commonwealth” • Canada gained control over most foreign and domestic policy

19. End of an Empire? • Perhaps a start • Nationalists in Canada hailed the new relationship • Commonwealth did reduce collective security somewhat but that was something most Canadians, especially French Canadians, wanted. • Some felt that Canada betrayed the Empire in pushing for autonomy • Canadians increasingly preferred to believe that “those who lived in fireproof houses had no need for insurance. (Winnipeg Free Press)