Imperialism and Nationalism 1900-1914

1. Imperialism and Nationalism 1900-1914

2. Imperialism

3. Imperialism • DEFINITION: when several territories are controlled by one country • Various countries were competing to build their empires from the 19th century onwards (Britain, France, Belgium, Germany). • GOAL OF IMPERIALISM: • To provide mother country with cheap raw materials • To serve the mother country as a market for its products • BRITAIN: • Expected its colonies to accept its leadership and event support it in wars

4. Nationalism • English-Canadian Nationalism: • predominantly made up of people of British Origin • believed English should be the main language • wanted Canada to be autonomous • wanted to participate in the British Empire • French-Canadian minority should be tolerated, but mainly in Quebec • French-Canadian Nationalism: • developed in response to the demands of the English-Canadian nationalists • felt their language and religion were threatened • did not want to spend money or send soldiers to fight in distant places to • support British interests • believed in equal rights for French and English Canadians • supported biculturalism and bilingualism

5. English and French Canadians had a Difference of Opinion over Various Things: • The Manitoba Schools Question • 2.The Boer War • 3. The Naval Question • 4. World War I

6. 1. Manitoba Schools Question • WHAT WAS THE MANITOBA SCHOOLS QUESTION? • When the Province of Manitoba was created in 1870, the Métis were guaranteed by the Manitoba Act, that the dual school system (Catholic and Protestant schools) already in existence,  would continue to exist. • However, by 1890, the Manitoba government, now dominated by English Protestants, passed a bill withdrawing financial support for separate French schools. A single secular educational school system was created instead. • This conflict angered the Métis and many French-Canadians, especially in Quebec. It pitted French against English and Catholics against Protestants and helped Wilfred Laurier become Prime Minister of Canada in 1896.

7. 2. Boer War WHAT WAS THE BOER WAR (1899-1902) AND WHY WERE CANADIANS INVOLVED? The Boer War was a war between the Boers (Dutch settlers who lived in the British colony of South Africa) and Britain. Canada got involved because Britain wanted her colonies to support her with money and troops. THIS DEMAND DIVIDED THE ENGLISH AND FENCH Laurier compromised by providing equipment and transportation for Canadians who volunteered to join the British army in South Africa.

8. 3. The Naval Question • What was the Naval Question ? • By 1909, Great Britain and Germany were involved in a naval-buiding race. Great Britain  wanted her colonies to contribute financially in building up the Royal Navy to counter Germany's growing strength. The choice for Prime Minister Laurier was whether to make financial contributions or to build a Canadian navy. • In the Naval Service Bill, Laurier proposed to use the money to build a Canadian navy. • REACTIONS TO LAURIER’S POLICY: • English Canadians supported the Naval Service Bill and hoped Laurier would do more to help Britain • French Canadians, led by Henri Bourassa, objected because they felt the new Canadian navy would only draw Canada into a European war.

9. 4. World War I or The Great War CANADA AND WORLD WAR I • The war began August 4, 1914 • The British Empire, including Canada, declared war on Germany. • By the end of 1916, over 400, 000 Canadians had voluntarily enlisted to fight in Europe. • The most important victory came with the capture of Vimy Ridge in 1917.

10. THE CONSCRIPTION CRISIS • Trench warfare caused a very large number of casualties on the battlefields of Europe which led to demands for conscription (compulsory military service) to ensure a steady flow of men into the armed forces. • ENGLISH Canadians accepted the view that if Britain was at war Canada was at war and therefore supported the notion of conscription. • FRENCH Canadian nationalists such as Henri Bourassa opposed the war and conscription. • Despite French Canadian opposition to conscription,  the Conservative government of Robert Borden passed the MILITARY SERVICE ACT making military service compulsory for all able-bodied male British subjects between the ages of twenty and forty-five on August 28, 1917. • Violence, anti-draft meetings and riots took place in Quebec. The conscription issue had left a feeling of hostility between French and English Canadians for many years.

11. TRENCH WARFARE • During World War I, Canadians discovered trench warfare on the battlefield • Dirt, disease, death • Barbed wire, mud filled shell holes, deadly machine gun fire • War of attrition • During battle of Ypres-April 1915 • 6000 Canadian casualties

12. TRENCH WARFARE

13. THE WAR EFFORT AT HOME • Factories converted to manufacture weapons, munitions, clothing for the armies • Farmers produced food to send to Europe • In Canada goods were rationed • A temporary income tax was introduced to help pay for the war WOMEN’S ROLE AT HOME • The Conservative government, headed by Robert Borden, legislated the War-Time Elections Act of 1917 giving women, whose brothers, husbands or sons had served or were serving in the military overseas, the right to vote in federal elections. • During World War 1, thousands of women became members of the industrial workforce. Many worked in munitions factories and in sectors, which prior to the war, were dominated by men.

14. Munitions Factory National Archives of Canada/C-18734)

15. RESULTS OF THE WAR • As a result of its active role in World War I, Canada became increasingly independent of Britain. • In 1918 Canada particpated in the peace talks as an independent country, and signed the Treaty of Paris ending WWI. • In 1919 Canada became a separate member of the League of Nations. • In 1923 Canada signed its first international fishing treaty with the United States. • In 1926 Canada participated in talks about forming a British Commonwealth. • In 1931 Canada gained full autonomy over internal and external affairs when it signed the Statute of Westminster with two exceptions;  Britain's Privy Council was still the highest court of appeal in Canada and an amending formula was needed to amend the British North America Act. However, in 1949,  Canada created its own highest court of appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and in 1982, the BNA Act was patriated and an amending formula to change the constitution was found.