Foreign Affairs in the Early 20 th Century

Introduction Canada’s relationship with Britain was a source of pride and conflict Most English Canadians felt a sense of loyalty to Britain French Canadians felt no sense of loyalty to either France or Britain & wanted Canada to act independently Canada’s Prime Minister was Sir Wilfrid Laurier –PM from –1 st French Canadian PM –spent much of his time as PM trying to balance the needs of French & English Canadians

Part of the British Empire Canada’s ties to Britain were strong At the front of every classroom hung a portrait of the British monarch ~ King Edward VII Each morning school children sang “God Save the King”“God Save the King” Canadians felt pride that Canada was the biggest country in the largest Empire the world has ever seen

French Canadians unhappy being part of Great Britain’s Empire

Boer War 1899 ~ South Africa Britain became embroiled in a conflict with Afrikaner settlers called for & expected Canadian troops to help them win the war English Canadians felt strongly that Canada should support Britain and send troops PM Laurier did not believe that the war was important to Canada’s defense –did not support sending troops French Canadians strongly agreed with Laurier...

Laurier’s Compromise Canada would recruit, equip and transport 1000 volunteers to South Africa but Britain would have to pay for them Many of Laurier’s Quebec MPs (Henri Bourassa) quit the Liberal Party in disgust believing that the Boer War would be only the 1 st of many imperial wars in which Britain would request Canada’s help Riots occurred in Montreal between English students at McGill University and French students at University of Montreal over the Boer War

The Naval Crisis After the Boer War, Laurier avoided involving Canada in the wars and defense of the British Empire By 1908 there was a growing arms race taking place between Great Britain and Germany Most Canadians recognized that Canada benefited from the strength of the British navy Debate in Canada  Should Canada contribute to the Empire’s defense or create its own armed forces????

Another Compromise May 1910 ~ Naval Service Act Act that created a small Canadian navy that in times of crisis could become part of the Imperial navy In Quebec, French Canadians feared the naval bill would commit Canadian ships and men to every imperial conflict English Canadians called the bill “too little, too late” and mocked the Royal Canadian navy calling it a “tin pot navy”

Relations with the U.S. U.S. was growing in size & as a world power Britain wanted to ensure that it remained on good terms with the United States in case of a major war with Germany Britain’s influence in Canada’s relations with the United States became complicated

The Alaska Boundary Dispute 1898 ~ Alaska / British Columbia Border  the government of Canada, the U.S. & Britain agreed to form a joint commission to settle the border dispute The extent of the Alaska Panhandle had been in dispute for decades and the gold rush in the Yukon made the question of the border urgent…

…The Alaska Boundary Dispute panel consisted of: 3 Americans + 2 Canadians + 1 Brit PM Laurier determined to maintain Canadian territory in the end… the British member of the panel sided with the US (to maintain good relations with them) – the border was set to the satisfaction & advantage of the United States

Canada & the U.S.A. U.S. investment was playing an increasingly important role in Canada’s economic development By 1911, 60% of Canada’s imports came from the U.S. In 1910, the U.S. government offered the Canadian government a RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT –would allow free trade in natural resources –allow Canada to keep its tariffs on manufactured goods

Reciprocity Defeated Reciprocity unpopular in Ontario –many Canadians saw the treaty as Canada turning its back on Britain Laurier called an election to settle the issue –in Quebec Laurier was criticized over the Naval Bill –in Ontario Laurier was criticized over Reciprocity Only western farmers supported the agreement September 1911  Liberals were defeated & Conservative Robert Borden became Prime Minister

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