Canada, Britain & The Empire Canadian History 1201

Imperialism “Policy of establishing colonies away from the homeland and establishing an empire” Colonies provided:1. Raw Materials 2. Market for Manufactured Goods 3. Prestige/Glory 4. Military Strength Canada was part of the British Empire HOW DID FRENCH CANADA FEEL ABOUT THIS?

Nationalism “Feeling of pride and importance in one’s country, its language, traditions, culture, people, etc ” It often disregards the rights of others. It has 2 opposing forces: It can tear a country apart It can bring a country together

French Canadian Nationalism French Canadians didn't feel or want to feel a part of the British Empire Stronger feeling of loyalty to the French Canadian Culture and language Felt isolated within the British Empire

Henri Bourassa “French Canadian Nationalist” Founded “Le Devoir” Newspaper

Boer War – Example of This French/English Problem The British Government asked Canada to send soldiers to prove Canada’s support of Britain The British Government asked Canada to send soldiers to prove Canada’s support of Britain English Canadians were anxious to take part however, many French Canadians said NO!! English Canadians were anxious to take part however, many French Canadians said NO!! Laurier had to find a compromise to satisfy both the English and French in Canada Laurier had to find a compromise to satisfy both the English and French in Canada

Boer War – Example of This French/English Problem Fought in South Africa between Boers and British Settlers (Over Gold and Diamonds) Should Canada Send Troops? Would Quebec Agree?

Laurier’s Compromise No official army would be sent No official army would be sent Canada would send 1000 volunteers to be part of British forces Canada would send 1000 volunteers to be part of British forces Canada would equip and transport these volunteers but Britain would take control of them once they arrived. Canada would equip and transport these volunteers but Britain would take control of them once they arrived. In total 7300 volunteers went – 2.8 million spent In total 7300 volunteers went – 2.8 million spent

Canada’s Reaction The solution did not satisfy anyone! The solution did not satisfy anyone! Imperialists felt that Canada had let Britain down Imperialists felt that Canada had let Britain down French Canadian Nationalists had felt Laurier had done too much French Canadian Nationalists had felt Laurier had done too much

Naval Crisis Another Example of French/English Problem Germany and Britain were involved in a naval race to have the largest navy in the world Germany and Britain were involved in a naval race to have the largest navy in the world Germany was challenging Britain’s status Germany was challenging Britain’s status Britain wanted Canada to contribute funds to help build more ships Britain wanted Canada to contribute funds to help build more ships This issue threatened to divide Canada as the Boer War Had This issue threatened to divide Canada as the Boer War Had

Naval Crisis Another Example of French/English Problem Naval Race between Germany and Britain Should Canada Help? Or should they build their own navy? How Would French Canada Feel?

Laurier’s Compromise Naval Service Bill Naval Service Bill Canada would have its own navy. Built 5 cruisers and 6 destroyers – Created 2 naval bases Canada would have its own navy. Built 5 cruisers and 6 destroyers – Created 2 naval bases Could be placed in British control in case of emergency (with consent of Parliament) Could be placed in British control in case of emergency (with consent of Parliament) Service in the Navy would be voluntary Service in the Navy would be voluntary

Was it a “tin-pot” navy?

Canada’s Reaction French Canadian Nationalists such as Henri Bourassa complained that this policy meant that Canadians could be sent anywhere at any time to fight Britain’s Imperialist wars. French Canadian Nationalists such as Henri Bourassa complained that this policy meant that Canadians could be sent anywhere at any time to fight Britain’s Imperialist wars. English Canadians felt we should make an outright contribution to the British Navy English Canadians felt we should make an outright contribution to the British Navy This issue helped to defeat Laurier in the next election

AN ENGLISH VIEW It should never be forgotten that our mother country Britain should always be able to rely on Canadians for assistance in times of trouble. Laurier's response to Britain's request for Naval aid is an insult to all the principles of the British Empire. Outright donations of money to Britain would have been far more useful than Laurier's "tin pot navy". A FRENCH VIEW "It is becoming apparent that despite all his declarations to the contrary, the Prime Minister is determined to drive us into the arms of the British even further. Not content with the folly of involving Canadians in the South African War he now seems bent upon committing Canadian money and blood to every British conflict and petty squabble from the seas in China to the coasts of the Baltic."

Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

Canada came into conflict with the US over the border between Alaska and Canada Canada came into conflict with the US over the border between Alaska and Canada The Alaskan Boundary Dispute between Canada and the US dealt with territory and parts in the Alaskan Panhandle The Alaskan Boundary Dispute between Canada and the US dealt with territory and parts in the Alaskan Panhandle When gold was discovered in the Yukon, this territory became important as thousands of prospectors flooded into the territory When gold was discovered in the Yukon, this territory became important as thousands of prospectors flooded into the territory Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

Both Canadian and American merchants wanted to take advantage of this new business Both Canadian and American merchants wanted to take advantage of this new business Canada and the US argued that they controlled parts in the region; government control of parts was important as taxes could be levied on all goods and gold going in and out of the territory Canada and the US argued that they controlled parts in the region; government control of parts was important as taxes could be levied on all goods and gold going in and out of the territory Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

Eventually, the dispute was submitted to a court of 6 judges Eventually, the dispute was submitted to a court of 6 judges 3 American 3 American 2 Canadian 2 Canadian 1 British 1 British After one month of discussion the Tribunal decided 4-2 against Canada After one month of discussion the Tribunal decided 4-2 against Canada Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

The British Judge, Lord Alverstone, had sided with the Americans against Canada The British Judge, Lord Alverstone, had sided with the Americans against Canada Britain was facing growing problems with Germany and knew it would need US support if a war broke out with Germany, therefore it would not risk American friendship in this dispute Britain was facing growing problems with Germany and knew it would need US support if a war broke out with Germany, therefore it would not risk American friendship in this dispute Canadians felt outraged Canadians felt outraged The US had bullied them and Britain had sold them out The US had bullied them and Britain had sold them out Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

Canadians, as a result, felt more determined that it must make its own decisions in the future Canadians, as a result, felt more determined that it must make its own decisions in the future In 1909 the International Joint Commission was set up to deal with disagreements between the United States and Canada over boundary waters along the Canadian – American border In 1909 the International Joint Commission was set up to deal with disagreements between the United States and Canada over boundary waters along the Canadian – American border This commission is still in place today. It monitors developments like the Great Lakes. It is responsible for gathering public feedback and reporting on air quality issues Canada vs USA “Alaska Boundary Dispute”

Reciprocity “Agreement between two countries to trade certain products without Tariffs” In this case U.S. And Canada “Agreement between two countries to trade certain products without Tariffs” In this case U.S. And Canada Farm, fisheries, forest, and mines products would be allowed into U.S free of taxes Farm, fisheries, forest, and mines products would be allowed into U.S free of taxes

Farm equipment, automobiles, building supplies would come into Canada free of taxes Farm equipment, automobiles, building supplies would come into Canada free of taxes TROUBLE FOR LAURIER 1. Many Opposed – Including Conservatives, Big Business (Railway) and even members of his own party 2. May damage East - West Trade

3. Lot of Anti-American Feelings – i.e. Alaska Dispute 4. Comments from American that Canada would cut ties with Britain and join U.S. (Or that they would take over Canada) “I hope to see the day when the American Flag will float over every square mile of British North American possessions, clear to the North Pole” -- American Politician

What’s This Cartoon Saying About Reciprocity?

Laurier Defeated As a result of Naval issues with Britain and Reciprocity, Laurier and the Liberals are defeated in next election Sir Robert Borden becomes Prime Minister