Canada’s Decision to go to War

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Canada: Before the WarCanada: Before the War



A Dominion of the Empire A Dominion of the Empire

A Dominion is: A Dominion is:

a self a self--governing nation of thegoverning nation of the

Commonwealth of Nations other than theCommonwealth of Nations other than theUnited Kingdom that acknowledges theUnited Kingdom that acknowledges theBritish monarch as chief of stateBritish monarch as chief of state



A n Empire is: A n Empire is:

A collection of settled colonies united A collection of settled colonies unitedunder one ruler.under one ruler.

Eg:Eg: The British EmpireThe British Empire

The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

The Egyptian EmpireThe Egyptian Empire



A Colony is: A Colony is:

A conquered or settled territory ruled by a foreign power. A conquered or settled territory ruled by a foreign power.

Eg.:Eg.: CanadaCanada A ustralia A ustraliaIndiaIndia



Canadas Role as a DominionCanadas Role as a Dominion

Canada accepts its ties to the EnglishCanada accepts its ties to the EnglishMonarchyMonarchy

Canada was one of the oldest establishedCanada was one of the oldest establishedcolonies, and although it became ancolonies, and although it became anindependent state in 1867, it was stillindependent state in 1867, it was stillexpected to act in the best interests of theexpected to act in the best interests of the

EmpireEmpire



Why do Empires Exist?Why do Empires Exist?

Power and ControlPower and Control

PrestigePrestige

Wealth, raw materials, manpowerWealth, raw materials, manpower

A lliances, especially during a time of war A lliances, especially during a time of war



Excerpt from a Canadian Civics Textbook,Excerpt from a Canadian Civics Textbook,19111911

The Empire and the ColoniesThe Empire and the Colonies

Great Britain is the ruling state or division, in the Empire to which we belong. In dealings withGreat Britain is the ruling state or division, in the Empire to which we belong. In dealings withother nations, except in commercial and some other matters, Great Britain acts for the wholeother nations, except in commercial and some other matters, Great Britain acts for the wholeEmpire.Empire.

The word colony we do not like, and we usually speak of ourselves as a nation. Some object The word colony we do not like, and we usually speak of ourselves as a nation. Some object to the name nation because it ordinarily means an independent nation or sovereign stateto the name nation because it ordinarily means an independent nation or sovereign stateand we do not claim to be that, but desire to be part of the Empire.and we do not claim to be that, but desire to be part of the Empire.

On the other hand, the colonies which have not a population suitable for self On the other hand, the colonies which have not a population suitable for self--government, asgovernment, asthose situated in the tropics where the native races are not highly civilized, are placed, eitherthose situated in the tropics where the native races are not highly civilized, are placed, eitherwholly or partly, under the administration of persons chosen by Great Britain. Such are calledwholly or partly, under the administration of persons chosen by Great Britain. Such are called

crown colonies crown colonies

It may be said that in the British Empire there is every kind of government, from the most highlyIt may be said that in the British Empire there is every kind of government, from the most highlypopular to the most despotic. But whatever may be the form, Great Britain endeavours topopular to the most despotic. But whatever may be the form, Great Britain endeavours toadminister it in such a manner as to make possible for each of the vast number of races andadminister it in such a manner as to make possible for each of the vast number of races andtribes under the imperial sway the greatest amount of happiness and prosperity.tribes under the imperial sway the greatest amount of happiness and prosperity.



Canadas Decision to go to WarCanadas Decision to go to War



What a declaration of war meant What a declaration of war meant

for Canadafor Canada A declaration of war for Britain, A declaration of war for Britain,

automatically meant a declaration of warautomatically meant a declaration of war

for Canadafor Canada



What could Canada contribute toWhat could Canada contribute to

the war effort?the war effort? ManpowerManpower

WomanpowerWomanpower

SuppliesSupplies

WeaponsWeapons

FoodFood

MoneyMoney

LoyaltyLoyalty



How Did Canadians Respond to thisHow Did Canadians Respond to this

Decision?Decision? There were two main groups, those whoThere were two main groups, those who

agreed with the decision to fight alongsideagreed with the decision to fight alongsideBritain and those who did not.Britain and those who did not.



Opposing ForcesOpposing Forces

The side that supported Canadas entry toThe side that supported Canadas entry towar was lead by Prime Minster Robert war was lead by Prime Minster Robert BordenBorden

The side that opposed Canadas entry toThe side that opposed Canadas entry towar was lead by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, formerwar was lead by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, formerPrime MinisterPrime Minister



Robert BordenRobert Borden

Leader of theLeader of theConservative Party of Conservative Party of CanadaCanada

Represented the BritishRepresented the Britishside of Canadaside of Canada

Born in Grand Pre NovaBorn in Grand Pre NovaScotia in 1854Scotia in 1854

Was trained as a lawyerWas trained as a lawyerwho specialized inwho specialized inconstitutional lawconstitutional law



Elected to the House of Elected to the House of

Commons in 1896 and inCommons in 1896 and in1901, succeeded Sir1901, succeeded SirCharles Tupper as leaderCharles Tupper as leaderof the Conservative Partyof the Conservative Partyof Canadaof Canada

He headed aHe headed aConservative Government Conservative Government until 1917 when heuntil 1917 when heformed a coalitionformed a coalitiongovernment until hisgovernment until his

resignation in 1920resignation in 1920

Columbia University Press. "Borden, Sir Robert Laird.."Columbia University Press. "Borden, Sir Robert Laird.." Columbia ElectronicColumbia ElectronicEncyclopedia, 6th EditionEncyclopedia, 6th Edition (January 2009): 1(January 2009): 1--1.1. History Reference CenterHistory Reference Center,,

EBSCOEBSCOhost host (accessed September 16, 2009).(accessed September 16, 2009).



Sir Wilfrid LaurierSir Wilfrid Laurier

Leader of the LiberalLeader of the LiberalParty of CanadaParty of Canada

Represented theRepresented the

French side of CanadaFrench side of Canada Born in St. LinBorn in St. Lin

Quebec in 1841Quebec in 1841

Was trained as aWas trained as a

lawyer but worked aslawyer but worked asa politician for most a politician for most of his lifeof his life



In 1887 he succeededIn 1887 he succeeded

Edward Blake as theEdward Blake as theleader of the Liberal Partyleader of the Liberal Partyof Canadaof Canada

He was the longest He was the longest serving Prime Minister of serving Prime Minister of

CanadaCanada He served from 1896He served from 1896--

1911 as Prime Minister of 1911 as Prime Minister of a Liberal Majoritya Liberal MajorityGovernment Government

He was the official leaderHe was the official leaderof the opposition duringof the opposition duringWorld War IWorld War I

Columbia University Press. "Laurier, Sir Wilfrid.."Columbia University Press. "Laurier, Sir Wilfrid.." Columbia ElectronicColumbia ElectronicEncyclopedia, 6th EditionEncyclopedia, 6th Edition (January 2009): 1(January 2009): 1--1.1. History Reference CenterHistory Reference Center,,EBSCOEBSCOhost host (accessed September 16, 2009).(accessed September 16, 2009).



Sir Sam HughesSir Sam Hughes

English CanadianEnglish Canadian

Minister of MilitiaMinister of Militia

and Defenseand Defense In charge of theIn charge of the

complicated taskcomplicated taskof coordinatingof coordinating

Canadas militaryCanadas militaryefforts.efforts.







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Canada’s Decision to go to War