Canada's Road to World War I: How Politics, Culture and Britain Played a Role in Canada's Involvement in the Great War
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Canada's Road to War
This timeline is an examination of political, and cultural events that led to Canada's participation in World War One. Photo Credits: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/results/images?module=images&action=results&Language=eng&PageNum=2&SortSpec=score%2520desc&ShowForm=sho -
Scope
The events described will date from 1904-1915. The Liberal and Conservative parties of Canada will be included as part of a discussion regarding Robert Borden, and Wilfrid Laurier's leadership up till the Great War. This timeline proves the authors thesis through examining the smaller situations that led to certain government-level decisions, that affected government involvement in society. -
Thesis
According to Historian Tim Cook the Great War disrupted Canada in irreversible ways. In his book,"Warlords: Borden, Mackenzie King, and Canada's World Wars", he persuasively argues that the war resulted in "government interventions in the form of income tax, health care, and conscription; changes to society through industrialization, enfranchisement, and patriotic unpaid labour; and the raising of large armed forces from a civilian base rather than professional service personnel." (Tim Cook,2-3) -
Canadian Politics: How Conservatives and Liberals fought for influence in Canadian Government
The Conservative Party suffered an electoral defeat in 1904, and consequently the Liberal Party gained the majority in the House of Commons. (Refer to Tim Cook,15) -
Establishing Canada's Autonomy
Wilfrid Laurier, the Liberal Party leader during this time established branches such as the militia council in 1904. (See Tim Cook, 21) Historian Cook argues that the significance of the militia council was that it "reported directly to the minister of militia and defence, thereby strengthening civilian control and reducing the influence of the British general who traditionally commanded the militia." (Tim Cook,21) -
International Crisis: The Launch of the battleship HMS Dreadnought
Britain launched the HMS Dreadnought which was superior to world ships as a result of its speed and armoury. The crisis unfolded when Germany started to compete through increasing its naval power. This represented a naval arms race, where key sentiments such as nationalism played a major role. In Germany, at this time, the Kaiser promoted "Germany's place in the Sun", (see Tim Cook, 20) which would become an idea later revisited by Adolf Hitler and his concept of 'Lebensraum'. -
The Halifax Platform
In 1907, Robert Borden created a manifesto called 'The Halifax Platform', which "demanded examinations for civil service jobs, in effect removing patronage from politics."(Tim Cook, 16) The significance was that it increased the Conservative Party's appeal to citizens. The manifesto promoted "honest elections, senate reform, free rural mail delivery, and public ownership of telephones." (Tim Cook, 17) -
The Conservative Party's Effort to Gain Support: Robert Borden's Trek Across Canada
Robert Borden commenced a two and a half month journey around Canada to gain support through speeches and meetings. (See Tim Cook, 17) -
Cultural Politics: How immigrants, loyalty to Britain and French Canada affected Canadian Politics in the Road to World War One
Historian Cook argues that, "the Conservatives had been associated...with the British Empire, while the Liberals appeared more friendly to recent immigrants and French Canada..."(Cook,19) The significance of recognizing the various groups of interest in Canada, was that these citizens would affect how conscription was viewed. It made the road to World War One more challenging as a result of leaders consolidating power whilst sending troops to war for Britain. -
How the European Shifts in Balance of Power Affected Canada
The frantic energy of possible naval conflict reverberated through news outlets. Historian Cook explains that, "public discussion of these options forced Canadians to think about what was owed to Britain and, equally important, how Canada wished to protect itself on the world stage." (Tim Cook,20) The significance of the events in Europe, was that they were affecting a young nation's decision to enter into it's first major conflict as an independent entity. -
The Push to Separate Canada from Britain as a Nation
Wilfrid Laurier authorized the creation of the Department of External Affairs.Britain had a history of handling Canada's international security, particularly against the United States in the 19th century. The importance of this department was that it further separated Canada from Britain as an independent, thinking nation. This affected how politicians argued for becoming involved in the Great War--that Canadians were fighting for Canada on moral grounds and not as Britain's colonial possession. -
Naval Servitude Act of 1910
Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier proposed the Naval Servitude Act of 1910 which was to construct six destroyers and five cruisers, against the wishes of the Conservative Party. (See Tim Cook, 21) Historian Cook explains that Borden questioned "why...Laurier [was] willing to sacrifice the Empire and Canada...especially when any "tin-pot navy" would never stand a chance against Germany's dreadnought-class warships?" (Tim Cook, 21) -
Naval Servitude Act: Why did Canada build Her Navy?
The problem with funding Britain's already established naval industry was the fear, that the Quebecois politicians would accuse Laurier of portraying Canada as a colonial possession versus an independent nation. (See Tim Cook, 21) Wilfrid Laurier aptly grasps his situation lamenting that, "I am branded in Quebec as a traitor to the French and in Ontario as a traitor to the English...In Quebec I am attacked as an imperialist, and in Ontario as an anti-imperialist." (Tim Cook, 22) -
The Revolt of the Eighteen
'The Revolt of the Eighteen' were a group of Liberal, business leaders who marched against their supported party because of the Reciprocity Trade Agreement with the United States. (See Tim Cook, 22-23) It allowed for more open trade because of reduced customs on manufactured goods, and decreased profits for powerful Canadian businessmen. -
Canada's Eighth Prime Minister: Robert Borden
Robert Borden became Prime Minister, which was significant due to his role in expediting Canada's road to war. His failed naval bill of a proposed thirty-five million dollars cash gift to Britain, led his government to focus on building Canada's defences through pumping money into the armouries. -
The Trigger: The Assassination of Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand
The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, coupled with Germany's support for the Austrians and Russia's support for the Serbians set off a ticking time bomb. (See Tim Cook, 34) As Britain got involved on August 1st as a result of the Belgium invasion by Germany, Canada automatically became a part of that war. -
Britain Declares War: Canada Puts Warships Under Royal Navy Command
The Royal Canadian Navy put their ships, 'Rainbow' and 'Niobe' under the control of the British Royal Navy, which powerfully signified Canada's support for Britain in the war effort. Four months later, Borden preached about volunteered service versus required duty. However, further into the Great War conscription became a law and evoked other far-reaching government decisions. Photo Credits:http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/objects-and-photos/archival-documents/government-documents/ -
Enforcement of Military Service
Earlier in the war, Prime Minister Borden had guaranteed volunteer military service ; however it was not the case during the end of the war effort. Photo Credits:http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/objects-and-photos/archival-documents/government-documents/ -
What Canada Gained from its Road to War
'More than 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland served — over 66,000 gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded...[and] it was this immense sacrifice that lead to Canada’s separate signature on the Peace Treaty." http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war Photo Credits:http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/objects-and-photos/archival-documents/government-documents/ -
Controversial Historiography
It is worth noting that not all historical accounts portray Canada's move to fighting in World War One, as a decision made by an independent nation. Colonel George Nasmith expresses that, "our empire has suffered much, but nobly responding to every call and to every duty, has won through in the good old-fashioned British way." (George Naismith, IX). Some of his views point to Britain leading the way for Canada, rather than the Canadian government leading their own way into war. -
Results of Canadian Involvement in the Great War
Historian Tim Cook explains that, "because of its part in the Great War, Canada was recognized as a country that had shed its colonial status and earned the right to control its own destiny." (Tim Cook,2) The significance of Canada's role was its internationally-recognized autonomy from Great Britain. The level of involvement proved that Canada deserved its own seat at peace talks, and was no longer viewed as simply a colonial possession. Photo Credits: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
