Canada, Britain Canada, Britain &&

The EmpireThe EmpireCanadian History 1201Canadian History 1201

Imperialism Imperialism

“Policy of establishing colonies away from the homeland and establishing an empire”

Colonies provided: 1. Raw Materials2. Market for Manufactured Goods3. Prestige/Glory4. Military Strength

Canada was part of the British EmpireHOW DID FRENCH CANADA FEEL ABOUT THIS?

NationalismNationalism

“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 French Canadian NationalismNationalism

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 BourassaHenri Bourassa““French Canadian French Canadian

NationalistNationalist””

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Boer War – 1899-1902Boer War – 1899-1902Example of This Example of This

French/English ProblemFrench/English Problem The British Government asked Canada to The British Government asked Canada to

send soldiers to prove Canada’s support of send soldiers to prove Canada’s support of BritainBritain

English Canadians were anxious to take part English Canadians were anxious to take part however, many French Canadians said NO!!however, many French Canadians said NO!!

Laurier had to find a compromise to satisfy Laurier had to find a compromise to satisfy both the English and French in Canadaboth the English and French in Canada

Boer War – 1899-1902Boer War – 1899-1902Example of This Example of This

French/English ProblemFrench/English ProblemFought in South Africa between Boers and British Settlers (Over Gold and Diamonds)Should Canada Send Troops? Would Quebec Agree?

LaurierLaurier’’s Compromises Compromise No official army would be sentNo official army would be sent

Canada would send 1000 volunteers to Canada would send 1000 volunteers to be part of British forces be part of British forces Canada would equip and transport these Canada would equip and transport these

volunteers but Britain would take control of volunteers but Britain would take control of them once they arrived.them once they arrived.

In total 7300 volunteers went – 2.8 In total 7300 volunteers went – 2.8 million spentmillion spent

Canada’s ReactionCanada’s Reaction The solution did not satisfy anyone!The solution did not satisfy anyone!

Imperialists felt that Canada had let Imperialists felt that Canada had let Britain downBritain down

French Canadian Nationalists had French Canadian Nationalists had felt Laurier had done too muchfelt Laurier had done too much

Naval CrisisNaval CrisisAnother Example of Another Example of

French/English ProblemFrench/English Problem Germany and Britain were involved in a Germany and Britain were involved in a

naval race to have the largest navy in the naval race to have the largest navy in the worldworld Germany was challenging Britain’s statusGermany was challenging Britain’s status

Britain wanted Canada to contribute funds Britain wanted Canada to contribute funds to help build more shipsto help build more ships

This issue threatened to divide Canada as This issue threatened to divide Canada as the Boer War Hadthe Boer War Had

Naval CrisisNaval CrisisAnother Example of Another Example of

French/English ProblemFrench/English Problem

Naval Race between Germany and Britain

Should Canada Help? Or should they build their own navy?How Would French Canada Feel?

LaurierLaurier’’s Compromises Compromise Naval Service BillNaval Service Bill

Canada would have its own navy. Built 5 Canada would have its own navy. Built 5 cruisers and 6 destroyers – Created 2 naval cruisers and 6 destroyers – Created 2 naval basesbases

Could be placed in British control in case of Could be placed in British control in case of emergency (with consent of Parliament)emergency (with consent of Parliament)

Service in the Navy would be voluntaryService in the Navy would be voluntary

Was it a “tin-pot” navy?

Canada’s ReactionCanada’s Reaction French Canadian Nationalists such as French Canadian Nationalists such as Henri Henri

BourassaBourassa complained that this policy meant complained that this policy meant that Canadians could be sent anywhere at that Canadians could be sent anywhere at any time to fight Britain’s Imperialist wars.any time to fight Britain’s Imperialist wars.

English Canadians felt we should make an English Canadians felt we should make an outright contribution to the British Navyoutright contribution to the British Navy

This issue helped to defeat Laurier in the next This issue helped to defeat Laurier in the next electionelection

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 USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

Canada came into conflict with the US over Canada came into conflict with the US over the border between Alaska and Canadathe border between Alaska and Canada

The Alaskan Boundary Dispute between The Alaskan Boundary Dispute between Canada and the US dealt with territory and Canada and the US dealt with territory and parts in the Alaskan Panhandleparts in the Alaskan Panhandle

When gold was discovered in the Yukon, When gold was discovered in the Yukon, this territory became important as this territory became important as thousands of prospectors flooded into the thousands of prospectors flooded into the territoryterritory

Canada vs USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

Both Canadian and American merchants Both Canadian and American merchants wanted to take advantage of this new wanted to take advantage of this new businessbusiness

Canada and the US argued that they Canada and the US argued that they controlled parts in the region; controlled parts in the region; government control of parts was government control of parts was important as taxes could be levied on all important as taxes could be levied on all goods and gold going in and out of the goods and gold going in and out of the territoryterritory

Canada vs USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

Eventually, the dispute was Eventually, the dispute was submitted to a court of 6 judgessubmitted to a court of 6 judges 3 American3 American 2 Canadian2 Canadian 1 British1 British

After one month of discussion the After one month of discussion the Tribunal decided 4-2 against CanadaTribunal decided 4-2 against Canada

Canada vs USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

The British Judge, Lord Alverstone, had The British Judge, Lord Alverstone, had sided with the Americans against Canadasided with the Americans against Canada Britain was facing growing problems with Britain was facing growing problems with

Germany and knew it would need US support Germany and knew it would need US support if a war broke out with Germany, therefore it if a war broke out with Germany, therefore it would not risk American friendship in this would not risk American friendship in this disputedispute

Canadians felt Canadians felt outragedoutraged The US had bullied them and Britain had sold The US had bullied them and Britain had sold

them outthem out

Canada vs USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

Canadians, as a result, felt more determined Canadians, as a result, felt more determined that it must make its own decisions in the futurethat it must make its own decisions in the future

In 1909 the In 1909 the International Joint Commission International Joint Commission was set up to deal with disagreements between was set up to deal with disagreements between the United States and Canada over boundary the United States and Canada over boundary waters along the Canadian – American borderwaters along the Canadian – American border

This commission is still in place today. It monitors This commission is still in place today. It monitors developments like the Great Lakes. It is responsible developments like the Great Lakes. It is responsible for gathering public feedback and reporting on air for gathering public feedback and reporting on air

quality issuesquality issues

Canada vs USACanada vs USA““Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute””

ReciprocityReciprocity

““Agreement between two countries Agreement between two countries to trade certain products without to trade certain products without TariffsTariffs”” In this case U.S. And In this case U.S. And CanadaCanada

Farm, fisheries, forest, and mines Farm, fisheries, forest, and mines products would be allowed into U.S products would be allowed into U.S free of taxesfree of taxes

Farm equipment, automobiles, Farm equipment, automobiles, building supplies would come into building supplies would come into Canada free of taxesCanada free of taxes

TROUBLE FOR LAURIERTROUBLE FOR LAURIER1. Many Opposed – Including 1. Many Opposed – Including

Conservatives, Big Business Conservatives, Big Business (Railway) and even members of (Railway) and even members of his own partyhis own party

2. May damage East - West Trade2. May damage East - West Trade

3. 3. Lot of Anti-American Feelings – i.e. Lot of Anti-American Feelings – i.e. Alaska DisputeAlaska Dispute

4. Comments from American that 4. Comments from American that Canada would cut Canada would cut ties with Britain and join U.S. (Or ties with Britain and join U.S. (Or that they would take over Canada)that they would take over Canada)

““I hope to see the day when the I hope to see the day when the American Flag will float over every American Flag will float over every square mile of British North square mile of British North American possessions, clear to the American possessions, clear to the North PoleNorth Pole”” -- American Politician -- American Politician

What’s This Cartoon Saying About Reciprocity?

Laurier DefeatedLaurier DefeatedAs a result of Naval As a result of Naval issues with Britain and issues with Britain and Reciprocity, Laurier and Reciprocity, Laurier and the Liberals are the Liberals are defeated in next defeated in next electionelection

Sir Robert Borden becomes Prime Minister

1911 - 1920