1. The Laurier Era Foreign Policy 1896-1911

2. Canada Profile – 1896-1911 Becomes a nation in 1867
Population in 1900 is approx. 5 million
Today it is approx. 33 million
Population mostly French Catholic and English Protestant

3. Why People Came to Canada?
Fleeing political upheavals
Religious freedom
To attract immigrants, the government launched a massive advertising campaign in Britain, the United States, and Europe. Posters, pamphlets, exhibition vans, and recruiting agents all actively encouraged people to come to Canada. Between 1901 and 1913, 2.7 million people came. Immigrants came for many reasons – some were fleeing political upheavals in their home countries, Others such as the Doukhobors and Mennonites from Russia, came to find religious freedom. The Russian government had ordered them to serve in the army. As part of their faith they were unable fight because they did not believe in war. In Canada the government passed an order in council guaranteeing that they would not have to serve in the army. They government also offered them blocks of land where they could practice their own cultural traditions.

4. Why People Came to Canada?
Escape problems caused by industrialization
(i.e. farms being divided, overpopulation, poverty)
In Eastern Europe farms were being divided into smaller and smaller plots to provide for more people. Some farmers found they had hardly enough land to make a living. Often they would move to the cities to seek employment, but working people faced poverty and hunger. Cities were becoming overcrowded as young people form farming areas came looking for jobs in the growing industries. Working people had few opportunities for better jobs, higher wages, or an education. Most people could never afford to own their own land or their homes. With such prospects many people were willing to put together their few belongings and cross the ocean to Canada.

5. What about this poster would attract immigrants to Canada?
FREE 160 acres
Home for EVERYBODY
Protected by government
Land for farming and cattle raising
Opportunity
Canadas west offered a chance for a fresh start. Canada was the last best west because the land in the American west was already taken. Many Americans even came to Canada to settle. This is because they could sell their land for a good price and move to Canada and get free land.

6. Canadian Immigration
Take a look at the following graph. In what year Canada receive the most immigrants? What do you predict is the reason for the drop in immigration between ? There is one tall peek in the year What do you think the reason for it is? Is the graph increasing or decreasing in the years to come?

7. Cities 1900’s Experienced an agricultural boom out west
Cities were growing
Factories
jobs
Urbanization: the movement of people into cities and towns
Why did people move to the city?
New farm machinery
No longer needed on the farm
Immigrants who went to cities found work in growing factories and in construction. They hoped to earn a decent income and get an education for their children. To many, Canada offered at least a brighter future for their children. Some immigrants came looking for adventure and new business opportunities. The flood of immigrants contributed to Canada’s growing population and workforce. They were the driving force in the west behind the agricultural boom. They often took the most dangerous or difficult jobs in the cities, such as laying streetcar tracks, digging sewer systems. With the immigration boom the population of western Canada increased rapidly. Towns sprang up roads were built and railway lines branched out. Two new provinces were created. By 1911 over 80 percent of the people in the west were born outside of Canada.
Prior to 1900 the vast majority of people lived on farms. However with the development of new farm machinery fewer workers were needed on the farms. Many young people flocked to cities and towns looking for work in the new factories. Since farms were usually passed on to the eldest son, many young sons and daughters moved to the cities to look for work. New immigrants also fuelled the growth of cities. Canada’s two largest cities doubled in size by 1921

8. French English Relations
1867- French Canadian Majority
1900 – English Canadian Majority. Most new immigrants strongly connected to Britain and her empire
Great sense of British Nationalism
French Canadians feel threatened by British majority –especially in politics
We already know there is a growing resentment between the french and english. Here is some highlights of their relations in Canada.

9. French English Relations
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
P.M
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?

10. Wilfrid Laurier - French English Relations
This is a political cartoon. We will be studying numerous of political cartoons this year.
Who is being depicted in this image?
Describe the image?
What is the message?