1. Laurier Era

2. Discussion
Laurier is elected as Prime Minister in He is a French Canadian.
What are some of the problems between French and English Canadians we’ve studied in this class up to 1896?
What changes might occur in Canada now that there is a French Canadian Prime Minister? What challenges would Laurier face?

3. French vs English
Laurier spent a lot of his time as PM trying to keep both French and English Canadians happy. This was a very difficult task.
But Laurier strongly believed that Canada had a bright future, and that the English and French could work together.

4. Laurier’s first Challenge: Manitoba Schools
When Manitoba first became a Province of Canada, it had a majority French speaking population. (Remember, most Metis spoke French).
This meant that French language schools were highly supported by the Provincial government.
But due to English immigration, English speaking people became the majority in Manitoba.
Uh Oh!!!!!

5. Manitoba Schools Continued
The Provincial Government was now controlled by English speakers and didn’t want to support French speaking schools any longer.
The French all across Canada were outraged.
OUTRAGED!!!!!
The Province appealed to Laurier for help.
What should he do?

6. Manitoba Schools Cont.
Laurier decided to give both sides a little bit of what they wanted: compromise.
Schools where the majority of students spoke French were allowed to have classes in French.
But French religion “Catholic” schools were no longer funded by the Provincial Government.

7. Laurier thought this compromise would keep everybody happy.
What do you think?
Everybody was outraged.
OUTRAGED!!!!
Laurier learned just how difficult the language problem in Canada was.

8. Imperialism
Most English speaking Canadians saw Canada as a self-governing colony of Britain. They were proud to be a part of the British Empire.
But most French speaking Canadians saw Canada as a mostly independent country. They felt no loyalty towards Britain. Some even still viewed Britain as an enemy.

9. Britain called on it’s colonies to help in the war.
Boer War
In 1899, Britian had a war in South Africa against Dutch colonists. This is called the Boer War.
Britain called on it’s colonies to help in the war.
What do you think English Canadians wanted? French Canadians?
English speakers wanted to help. French wanted nothing to do with it.

10. Boer War cont.
So what should Laurier do? Should he join the war and keep English speakers happy? Or remain neutral and keep the French happy?
Laurier decided to join the war, but he would only send VOLUNTEER soldiers.
This meant that English speakers could help if they wanted, and the French could stay home if they wanted.

11. This decision would surely keep everybody happy!!! Right? RIGHT????
Boer War cont.
This decision would surely keep everybody happy!!! Right?
RIGHT????
Nope!!! English speakers thought Canada wasn’t doing enough to help the mother country.
French speakers thought Canada should not involve itself at all in British wars.
Everything Laurier did made everybody angry.
Poor Laurier!!!!

12. A new Problem
If there is one thing in the world that can make English and French Canadians stop hating each other for a little while… what would it be?
AMERICA!!!!
The “Alaska Boundary Dispute” united French and English Canadians behind Laurier.

13. Alaska
America purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867.
But what was the “exact” border between Alaska and Canada?
Few people cared about what the exact border was. It was in the far North and very few people lived there.
But what might make Canadians and Americans consider this important?
Yukon Gold Rush.

14. The ports in the disputed territory became important locations
The ports in the disputed territory became important locations. Both America and Canada wanted them.
To settle the dispute, there was an “International Tribunal”.
3 Judges from America, 2 Judges from Canada, and 1 Judge from Britain.

15. Canadians were outraged. OUTRAGED!!!!!
The Decision!!!!
Britain viewed America as a bigger and more powerful ally. They didn’t want to make them angry. The British judge voted in favor of America.
Canadians were outraged.
OUTRAGED!!!!!
This resulted in many Canadians wanting more independence from Britain. They wanted Canada to be able to make it’s OWN decisions, without having to ask Britain for help.