1. A Nation Emerges
The Laurier Era,

3. Why the Bold Statement?
The Laurier years were a time of rapid economic growth and were often called the “Golden Years”.
Domestic and Foreign Trade was up
Wheat, minerals, and lumber
By 1910, most of the Prairies were settled and being farmed

4. It was also a time of industrial/urban growth, fueled by immigration
However, prosperity was not evenly distributed for all Canadians
Not all regions benefited from the boom and the gap between rich and poor widened Regional Disparity
Western Canada was filling up
Ontario / Quebec urbanized
Maritimes stagnated

6. Laurier seemed like the perfect politician and PM – charisma?
He was bilingual and moved with ease between both cultures: many thought he could solve the deep rivalries between the French and English...
He came to be known as the “Great Compromiser”, an approach that had both advantages and disadvantages…

7. Manitoba Schools Issue
French Manitobans were guaranteed bilingualism and a right to their religion under the Manitoba Act of 1870.
In 1890, Manitoba passed the Manitoba Schools Act, cutting off money from French Catholic schools, making English the only language of instruction.
French Canadians in Manitoba appealed to Ottawa and John A. Macdonald for help.
Macdonald decided to ignore the issue
He was afraid of alienating his English supporters.

8. Laurier’s Solution In 1896, Laurier came up with a compromise:
Province didn’t have to support a Catholic school board
But make available staff and space for half hour of religious instruction at the end of each school day
A French speaking teacher would be provided, in classes where ten or more students spoke French.
The compromise was accepted, but did not satisfy everyone completely…

9. The Boer War
By the end of the 1800s, Canadians had a firm sense of identity…
but generally saw themselves as part of the larger British Empire
The British placed more demands on its empire
Laurier was reluctant to just give in to British pressure
In 1898 when Britain went to war against the Boers (Dutch setters and farmers) in South Africa over colonial and territorial disagreements.
British expected help

10. Laurier’s Solution
French Canadians were not interested in fighting Britain's wars
English Canadians felt loyalty to Britain and ought to send troops.
Again, Laurier decided to make a compromise
Canada would send no official armed forces to South Africa
But the government would equip and transport a volunteer force to serve in the British army Canadian volunteers enlisted to fight for Britain.

11. A Truly Canadian Solution
In Quebec, Laurier could say that he hadn’t sent an army and therefore, Canada would have no ties to Great Britain in future wars
In Ontario, he could stress that he had sent volunteer soldiers to aid Britain.
Laurier was trying to build up Canadian nationalism by appealing to both sides…this proved to be very difficult…

12. The Naval Crisis By 1902, the British were expecting a war in Europe
The British placed pressure on Canada to contribute resources to build Britain’s navy.
Laurier opposed this, seeing that it would lead to greater demands for military support.
Soldiers, equipment, etc.
Laurier politely declined to just write a check
The British were NOT amused!

13. Laurier’s Solution
Laurier told the British that Canada could best help Britain by strengthening itself first.
Laurier wrote up and introduced the Naval Service Bill (1910)
called for the creation of a Canadian navy (Royal Canadian Navy, or RCN).
Canada’s first naval ships arrived in late 1910; the former Royal Navy cruiser HMCS Niobe and the second ship HMCS Rainbow.
These two cruisers were used mainly for training purposes.
This would appease the French and non-empire supporters, but an important clause was added:
A Canadian war ship could go to war for Britain and be placed under British command only if the Canadian House of Commons agreed

14. Neither English or French Canada was pleased with Laurier’s Naval Service Bill
Everyone ridiculed Laurier’s “Tin Pot Navy”, which consisted of 11 small ships by 1911
Laurier’s loyalty to both English and French Canada grew into a key issue in the 1911 election – he tried to appeal to both sides, but was “attacked from all sides”

15. The End of an Era
Laurier lost the election in 1911 because of a couple of issues:
The Naval Bill
Reciprocity 
Public Perceptions
Being too soft to the French
Being too friendly to the English
Being Pro British
Not being British enough
In 1911, pro-British Canadians voted Conservative, and Robert Borden became the new Prime Minister.