Sir Wilfrid LaurierSir Wilfrid Laurier77thth Prime Minister of Canada Prime Minister of Canada

July 11, 1896 ~ October 5, 1911July 11, 1896 ~ October 5, 1911

BackgroundBackground

► Born in Canada East, Laurier was born into a Born in Canada East, Laurier was born into a French family with Liberal idealsFrench family with Liberal ideals

► Studied in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the age Studied in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the age of 11 to learn the British waysof 11 to learn the British ways

► After graduating from McGill with a law degree, After graduating from McGill with a law degree, Laurier ran the newspaper Laurier ran the newspaper Le DéfricheurLe Défricheur The newspaper supported the Parti Rouge, a radical left The newspaper supported the Parti Rouge, a radical left

wing partywing party

Early Political CareerEarly Political Career

► In 1874 Laurier was elected into the House of In 1874 Laurier was elected into the House of Commons as a Liberal memberCommons as a Liberal member

► Served as Minister of Inland Revenue during Served as Minister of Inland Revenue during Alexander MacKenzie’s short reignAlexander MacKenzie’s short reign

► Defended Louis Riel in 1885Defended Louis Riel in 1885► Laurier became the leader of the Liberal party in Laurier became the leader of the Liberal party in

18871887

Path to Prime MinisterPath to Prime Minister

► With the death of John A. MacDonald, Charles With the death of John A. MacDonald, Charles Tupper became the leader of the Conservative Tupper became the leader of the Conservative PartyParty

► Unable to bring a solution the Manitoba Schools Unable to bring a solution the Manitoba Schools Question, the Conservative Party was split in twoQuestion, the Conservative Party was split in two

► In the election of 1896 Wilfrid Laurier and his In the election of 1896 Wilfrid Laurier and his Liberal Party beat Tupper and his Conservative Liberal Party beat Tupper and his Conservative PartyParty

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

► Introduced Canada to a period of economic Introduced Canada to a period of economic growth growth

► Solved the Manitoba Schools QuestionSolved the Manitoba Schools Question► Fought for French speaking Canadians and the Fought for French speaking Canadians and the

Catholic ChurchCatholic Church► Won the most consecutive elections everWon the most consecutive elections ever► Oversaw the creation of Alberta and Oversaw the creation of Alberta and

SaskatchewanSaskatchewan

Fall From GraceFall From Grace

► Naval Service ActNaval Service Act► Alaska Boundary DisputeAlaska Boundary Dispute► Boer War DisputeBoer War Dispute► ReciprocityReciprocity

The AftermathThe Aftermath

► Lost to Borden’s Conservative party in 1911 Lost to Borden’s Conservative party in 1911 ► Served as the Opposition leader until his death in Served as the Opposition leader until his death in

19191919► 50,000 people lined the streets of Ottawa to 50,000 people lined the streets of Ottawa to

watch Laurier’s funeral procession watch Laurier’s funeral procession

My $0.02 on LaurierMy $0.02 on Laurier

► One of the greatest Prime Ministers Canada has One of the greatest Prime Ministers Canada has ever hadever had

► It seemed like Laurier had the interests of Quebec It seemed like Laurier had the interests of Quebec before the interests of Canadabefore the interests of Canada

► Helped Canada gain independence from BritainHelped Canada gain independence from Britain

BibliographyBibliography

► "Laurier, Sir Wilfrid." "Laurier, Sir Wilfrid." The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?<http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004558>. PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004558>.

► "Laurier-Biography-First Among Equals." "Laurier-Biography-First Among Equals." Welcome to the Welcome to the LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website | Bienvenue au site LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website | Bienvenue au site Web BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADAWeb BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADA. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3181-Jan. 2010. <http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3181-e.html>. e.html>.

► "Wilfrid Laurier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." "Wilfrid Laurier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, Wikipedia, the free encyclopediathe free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrid_Laurier>.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrid_Laurier>.