Laurier Era 1896 - 1914

Who is Wilfred Laurier? Prime Minister Of Canada 1896 – 1911 Liberal First French Canadian Prime Minister Wants English/ French Canadian Unity Believes “the 20th century belongs to Canada”

The Laurier Era: the Golden Age Era of fighting for rights (women/ labour) Defining Canada through Immigration policy (British - NOT Multicultural) Conflict and Compromise between French and English Canada Economic boom for 20 years: Resources Yukon Gold Rush Forestry, Fisheries, Mining, Pulp/Paper, Hydro-electricity, agriculture

The Laurier Era: the Golden Age Technology/ Inventions change life Car (ex. Canadian Cycle and Motor Company) Airplane (1911) Telephone Wireless cross- Atlantic telegraph (1901) Radio “Moving Pictures” 1896 (“Nickelodeons”) Refrigerators

The Laurier Era: the Golden Age Development of Canadian Culture Coca-Cola / Canada dry ginger ale Emily Carr and Group of Seven Artists Literature: Anne of Green Gables and Cremation of Sam McGee

What issues existed in this era? Manitoba School Question p. 244 Boer War/ Naval Services Act p. 246/247 Alaska Boundary Dispute p. 247 Women’s Suffragist Movement p. 265/ 266 Chinese immigration / Head Tax p. p. 273 , Canadian issues p. 24 Komagata Maru p. 271 - 275

In Groups, Answer: 1. Summary: What is the event? 2. Which of the following is this an example of? Intolerance French/ English conflict development of Government Fear of American Annexation 3. Brainstorm: What are other examples of this issue from our course?

Boer War What happened Britain invades South Africa in 1899 to gain control of gold and diamonds found there Britain demanded Canada, as a former colony whose foreign policy they control, send troops Reaction in Canada English Canada feels connected to Britain and agrees French Canada doesn't want to support Britain imperialism, and feel the war is unjust (and nothing to de with canada) Result Laurier Compromises: Canada pays to equip and Send Volunteers only Neither side happy Theme for Course: English / French Tension

Naval Services Act What happened 1911: Britain asked Canada to give them money to build a navy – Britain was in an arms race with Germany Reaction in Canada English Canada wants to help out Britain French Canada (lead by Henri Bourassa) doesn’t want to build a Navy for Britain – but would like one for Canada Result: Laurier Compromises: Naval Services Act : build a Canadian Navy that Britain can use in emergencies Reaction: both hate it – called “tin-pot Navy” by English, and French fear Canada will now be involved in England’s wars

Manitoba School Act What happened: Manitoba Act (creating the province) gave equal rights to English-protestant and French Catholic schools Over time – more English settlers – pressure federal government to make schools English-protestant only Result: Manitoba School Act: No Public funding to Roman Catholic schools Reaction in Canada: Reaction: French Canada is angry (and so are the Metis) Result: Laurier compromises: French allowed in school with over 10 French students, on request, Catholic religious study for ½ per day, but no funding to a Catholic school board Reaction to compromise: Neither happy, French / metis feel betrayed

Alaskan Boundary Dispute What happened Gold is discovered in 1897 in the Yukon and 10 000 American miners head up north America had bought Alaska from Russia, and everyone had to travel through the American “panhandle” to get to the gold Dispute over where the actual boundary of Alaska was Tribunal to decide official boundary: 3 American, 1 Canadian, 2 British Britain Votes in favour of USA boundary claim, against Canada, to keep USA support / trade Reaction in Canada Canada is betrayed – but has no choice = Britain controls Canada’s foreign policy as stated in the BNA

Women’s Suffrage Movement What Happened Women in 1900 – expected to marry and not work outside the home, education is not prioritized Suffragist Movement is the fight for the right to vote Want to make laws that will improve lives of families (such as prohibition) Opposition is very strong Nellie McClung is leader in Movement, and gains the Provincial vote in Manitoba first – 1916 Prairies were first – women work alongside men on farm, prejudice is less

Women’s Suffrage Movement Manitoba - January, 1916 Saskatchewan – March 1916 Alberta – April 1916 British Columbia – April 1917 Ontario – April 1917 Federal Vote – 1918 (due to WW1 and conscription crisis) Nova Scotia – April 1918 New Brunswick – April 1919 PEI – May 1922 Newfoundland – April 1925 Quebec – April 1940

Chinese Head Tax What happened Chinese in BC (Canada) due to CPR and gold rush, and to find a better life BC (and Canada) wanted to keep Canada “British” and put in place discriminatory immigration policies Goal of Head tax: keep Chinese out of Canada Head Tax on Chinese Immigration 1885: $50 1900: $100 1903: $500 Reaction in Canada BC residents form the “Asiatic Exclusion League” and riots will occur (1907) over Asian immigration Laurier will apologize for the riots, but restrict Japanese immigration to 400 per year as a result

Komagata Maru What happened India was a colony of Britain, and therefore could immigrate to Canada The Continuous Passage Act was passed stating only those who came directly could immigrate to Canada (impossible from India) 1914: Ship named Komagata Maru, carrying 354 Sikh immigrants arrives in Vancouver. BC places them in quarantine – not allowing them ashore Many nearly starve to death Ship is escorted out of Vancouver by the HMCS Rainbow Result in Canada May 23, 2008 –British Columbia Government issued an apology

How does Laurier “the Juggler” help explain this era?