Unit 2: 1885-1914: Imperialism, Continentalism, & Nationalism

Question 1

Why was Ontario established as Conservative?

Answer 1

By expanding Westward, there is an issue of diminishing Quebec…

In the first decade, there was harmony, but the hanging of Louis Riel amongst a handful of other events poison the relationship between Quebec and Canada again.

John A. Macdonald could not win: if he did not hang Riel, he would upset Ontario, and by hanging Riel, he upset Quebec

He chose Ontario over Quebec, and this is important because it establishes Ontario as Conservative

Question 2

Nationalism in English Canada: Canada First Movement

Answer 2

A group of 5 or 6 intellectuals from Toronto who would gather and talk about politics.

They wrote about Canada and Canadian nationalism, and emphasized Canada’s Northernness. “The Northern Myth” is the idea that there was so much potential and future in Canada for the British Empire because of its healthy climate and Algo-saxon population.

They were very prolific in writing about Riel and criticized the Manitoba Act. They wrote about the Riel Rebellion and attacked these treasonous rebels for going against Canada.

“Imperialism and Nationalism were flip sides of the same coin”; you could be both at the same time loyal to the British Empire, but in doing so, Canada would become the eldest daughter of Empire, and eventually mature into adulthood and become its own nation, but all within the British Empire.

This is the thinking of these writers, Ontario and a lot of Canada.

But we begin to see a change in the 1880s.

Question 3

Nationalism in Quebec

Answer 3

Ultramonatism and the Guilbord Affair

Question 4

Ultramontanism

Answer 4

By the 1870s, we see a rise in ultramontanism from the Vatican, as the Pope calls for ultimate authority and tries to centralize the power in the Catholic Church.

In Quebec, we have powerful bishops in powerful catholic Churches.

Example: Ignace Bourget, Bishop of Montreal

The Vatican calls for its own military

Zouave: Catholics who defend the Vatican from around the world

Quebecers sign up as Zouave to defend the Vatican

Ontarians are raged because Quebecers will not fight for the British Empire, but will fight for the Vatican

Question 5

What does Ultramonatism cause in Catholicism?

Answer 5

A split within Catholicism: Ultramontane Catholic vs. Gallican Catholic

It is an issue of Church vs. State: Where does the pope fit in the ultimate hierarchy?

Ultramontanes believe that the Pope is at the very top, even above your secular leader (e.g. above PM)

Gallican Catholics believe the opposite

Question 6

Joseph Gulboard

Answer 6

member of the Institut Canadien

Question 7

Institut Canadien

Answer 7

A library where group of about 200 Quebec intellectuals would gather to talk politics

Problem: the library contains all of the liberal treaties which have been banned by the Pope and Catholic Church

Question 8

The Gulboard Affair

Answer 8

Joseph Gulboard was a member of the Institut Canadien. The Institut Canadien is a library where group of about 200 Quebec intellectuals would gather to talk politics. But the problem is that the library contains all of the liberal treaties which have been banned by the Pope and Catholic Church.

He dies, and then Ignace Bourget (Bishop of Montreal) announces that all members of the Institut Canadien have been excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

His widow wants to have Joseph buried into Church ground, but he has been excommunicated. thus Bourget instructs that this cannot happen and it is prevented from happening. They take this to the courts.

But what role does the court have to play in a religious issue?
Bourget says “I will not respond to the dictates of the courts”

This angers Ontarians because they see the issues of state and Church

This issue goes through the courts for 7 years, and in the meantime his widow dies and she is buried a religious burial. Courts finally decide that Guibord must be given religious burial. Crowds come out to stop it and protest, and Guibord is given a military escort and he is buried beside his wife.

Bourget comes in and takes away his deconcentration. This whole contested affair is highly covered in the press and this new form of Canadian (Quebec) nationalism that is Catholic and tied to the Vatican.

Increasing dissension between Ontario and Quebec.

Question 9

Provincial Rights

Answer 9

At the same time, there are issues within politics…

• Issue: disputes between the federal and provincial authorities
• One of the major issues facing Trudeau government is federal-provincial relations
• Macdonald wants a powerful central government because he sees too much power in the hands of the state in the US

Question 10

Oliver Mowat

Answer 10

First Premier of Ontario Father of Confederation
Advances Provincial rights, becomes known as the father of provincial rights

Grey areas: Who licenses liquor? Who controls natural resources? What is the boundary between Ontario and Manitoba?

Issues between Ontario and Ottawa…

This brings Ontario and Quebec together, because they can fight together against the federal government

Question 11

Honore Mercier

Answer 11

Premier of Quebec, 1887-1891

He comes in very soon after Riel has been executed
He is not a liberal or conservative, he leads La Partie Nationale (a French-Canadian Nationalist Party)

For the first time, we see a nationalist party at the provincial level, in Quebec

Question 12

The Power of Disallowance

Answer 12

The Federal Hammer; The Federal Veto

Macdonald passes a legislation that if the federal government believes that any of the provinces are bringing in policies against the good order of Canada, the federal government can come in and disallow it.

He uses it over and over again in his battle with the provinces.

This has not been used since 1933 because there would be too much political backlash

Question 13

What is the Schools Question?

Answer 13

By the 1880s, with Catholic-Protestant antagonism growing, we see the schools question arise….

The schools question comes down to the issue of “denominational” (Catholic) schools.
Should taxpayers fund religious schools? Or should the school system be secular

Protestants: Church and State should not be one, we should have a public school system and that is the only thing our taxes should pay for.

BNA Act: Sets up a public school system for all of the provinces, except Quebec. In Quebec, there are two separate school systems (Public and Catholic).

The only provision was made at the time of Confederation.

Question 14

The Four Schools Questions

Answer 14

1. 1871: New Brunswick
2. 1889: Manitoba
3. 1905: Alberta and Saskatchewan
   1915: Ontario

Question 15

(1) 1871 New Brunswick Schools Question

Answer 15

The provincial government legislates no more Catholic schools. Acadian minority are angry and upset because the funding from their Catholic schools is being taken away. The Catholic minority appeals to federal government, but Macdonald does not use disallowance, and New Brunswick loses Catholic Schools.

Question 16

(2) 1889 Manitoba Schools Question

Answer 16

Manitoba, as the 5th province, has provisions for Catholic schools as promised in 1870 to the Metis. Ontarians come flooding in and Metis leave, and with growing antagonism as we move through the 1880s, there is pressure on Manitoba government to abolish Catholic schools. In 1889, the Conservative government in Manitoba legislates abolishment of Catholic schools. The Catholic minority appeals to federal government and Macdonald does not use disallowance, and puts the issue in the hands of the court systems. The issue makes it to the very top, after 7-8 years, and goes to the British Empire. Each court reverses the issue as it goes up and up, and at the end, this issue becomes a nightmare for Macdonald’s conservative party. BUT John A. Macdonald dies in 1891 after he had just won an election.

Question 17

What happens after John A. Macdonald dies during his mandate?

Answer 17

The conservative party is old and tired, full of old white guys. From 1891 to 1896, Conservative Party has 4 leaders (Abbott, Thompson, Bowell, Tupper). They keep taking over the party and dying. The Conservative Party is becoming old and its policies are no longer appealing to Canadians.

Question 18

What allows Wilfred Laurier to emerge as a leader?

Answer 18

(1) Riel Issue

(2) Manitoba Schools Question

Question 19

Laurier and the Liberals, 1896-1911

Answer 19

Wilfred Laurier becomes a leader of the Liberal Party and makes the pivotal breakthrough in Quebec by promising that he is a good Catholic, and moderate liberal, and not a threat to the Catholic Church.

1896: Federal Election; the real defeat of the conservatives and victory of the liberals. Liberals gain power in 1896 and remain in power until 1911.

The major election issue is the Manitoba Schools Question. Laurier enters the election promising to solve the question, using the phrase: “I’m going to solve it the sunny way.” (alludes to the fable of the competition between the sun and the wind) He will get things through compromise, rather than through force.
When he wins office, he creates what is called the Laurier-Greenway Compromise

Question 20

Laurier-Greenway Compromise

Answer 20

Thomas Greenway: Liberal Premier of Manitoba
Laurier compromises with Greenway about the Manitoba Schools; this is his solution to the Manitoba Schools Question

It is a compromise that, when a certain number of kids in a school belong to the same denomination and speak the same language, they can have training in their religion and language at the end of the day

Catholic school teachers can be employed when there are at least 40 Catholic students in an urban school or 25 in a rural school, and religious instruction is allowed in the public schools for half an hour each day at the end of the day. When there are 10 students in a school system who speak a language other than English, their teaching would be conducted in English and that language.

Liberals are becoming the party of minority rights and provincial rights

Question 21

Laurier-Greenway Compromise

Answer 21

Thomas Greenway: Liberal Premier of Manitoba
Laurier compromises with Greenway about the Manitoba Schools; this is his solution to the Manitoba Schools Question

It is a compromise that, when a certain number of kids in a school belong to the same denomination and speak the same language, they can have training in their religion and language at the end of the day

Catholic school teachers can be employed when there are at least 40 Catholic students in an urban school or 25 in a rural school, and religious instruction is allowed in the public schools for half an hour each day at the end of the day. When there are 10 students in a school system who speak a language other than English, their teaching would be conducted in English and that language.

Liberals are becoming the party of minority rights and provincial rights

Question 22

Why is the election of 1986 important?

Answer 22

It coincides with an economic upswing, that is largely a result of the Western Immigration boom.

Question 23

What explains the cause of the 1896 Western Immigration Boom?

Answer 23

Push Factors
1. Problems within the Russian Empire
Many groups in central and Eastern Europe are fleeing the Russian government and conscription (forced military).
2.Second Industrial Revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution is occuring at the beginning of the twentieth century

Pull Factors
1. Free Land is given to recruited immigrants to cultivate
2. Canadian State
This is the first immigration that involves the Canadian state; the rise of the Canadian state is a dominant theme. The Canadian state will frame and control immigration now, whereas Britain did before. What kind of immigrants does Canadian state want?
3. Agriculture
Industrial changes to agriculture, such as new strains of wheat that can grow in a colder, shorter season. Wheat is about to become king; wheat boom. The attraction of farm land and chance to grown wheat draws in immigrants. Other areas of the world need wheat and so its price is growing.

Question 24

The Promoter: Clifford Sifton

Answer 24

Minister of the Interior in Laurier’s cabinet and responsible for Immigration Policy.

Clifford Sifton has a great deal of control over the doors of immigration. He is a skilled organizer and puts together a group of immigration agents who he sends to countries that he wants immigrants for.

The Homestead Policy: Recruits are given a quarter section of land, that they must cultivate and build a house on within 3 years

Big Q: Who will Canada recruit to? What kind of immigrant does Canada want at the turn of the century?

“The Last Best West”: the slogan used by recruiting agents to promote immigration to Canada, and
Winnipeg becomes Canada’s third biggest city (Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg). Immigrants are being dumped into Winnipeg, and becomes a very ethnically and class divided city.

Question 25

Sifton’s Hierarchy of Immigration

Answer 25

1. United States (Midwest)
2. Britain
3. Northern Europeans (Scandinavians and Icelanders)
4. France
5. Eastern and Central Europeans (Ukrainians, Mennonites, Hutterites, Doukhobors)
6. Southern Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Greeks)
7. Blacks (US and Caribbean)
8. Asians (Japanese and Chinese)
9. Jews

Question 26

Western Immigration Boom: Changes in Canadian Population

Answer 26

1896-1911: Over two million immigrants arrive in Canada; grain production is 232 million bushels

Canadian population increases by 34%

The West goes from 5% to 25% of Canadian population

Note: Immigrants tend to be attached to the government that is in power when they immigrate to a country, and Laurier knows this and that he and the liberal government have the support of the majority of the 2 million immigrants

Question 27

The New Provinces in 1905

Answer 27

In 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta are officially recognized as provinces

Question 28

The Imperial Question

Answer 28

What role should Canada play within the British Empire?

This question comes to sit at the very centre of Canadian politics.

Question 29

How does the Conservative party answer the Imperial Question?

Answer 29

The Conservative Party favoured stronger british ties. It is the party of pro-Empire, and pro-British sentiment, believing that Canada must join Britain when Britain comes calling. The Conservative Party has survived under the British Empire and the only threat came from the US.

Question 30

How does the Liberal party answer the Imperial Question?

Answer 30

The Liberal Party was not anti-Empire, and was still pro-Britain, but believed in a Colony-Tenatcion approach, in which Canada has control over its own issues and affairs. Canada is naturally evolving into a mature nation; Canada is like the eldest daughter of Empire, and as it matures, it develops its own ideas and views, and its status changes within the Empire.

Question 31

What events highlight imperialism and the imperial question?

Answer 31

1897: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (London, England)
1899-1902: The Boer War
1871: Treaty of Washington
1897: Alaska Boundary Dispute
1910: Naval Service Bill (The Naval Debate)
1911: Trade/Tariffs (The Reciprocity Election)
1914-1919: WWI
1923: Imperial Conferences (Australia and New Zealand vs. Canada, Ireland and South Africa)
1923: Halibut Treaty
1931: Statute of Westminster

Question 32

Imperial Question

1897: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (London, England)

Answer 32

The strength of Imperial sentiment peaks in the 1890s. In 1891, Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee - sixty years as the ruling monarch - in a spectacular celebration to show the world the splendour and the might of the British Empire. For the longest time, this was viewed as Britain’s greatest prosperity, however, recent historians look back and argue that this is the decline of the British Empire. Representatives from the colonies of the British Dominions attended (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, Irish Free State; white and self-governing colonies). WIlfrid Laurier attended and represented Canada. Winston Churchill takes the leaders on a tour of Britain’s military technology and tells them that the time is coming when the British Empire will need you, and when we come calling, you need to help us. Churchill just offered a direct threat to National Unity. Laurier is worried, especially because Conscription and Imperial Expeditions will not be supported in Canada. Laurier perceived the imperial question as a threat to national unity in Canada.

Question 33

Imperial Question

1899-1902: The Boer War

Answer 33

In 1899, gold and diamonds are discovered in the 2 Boer Republics (2 states not dominated by Britain in South Africa). The British imperial expansion into South Africa lead to conflict with the Africans, and Britain calls out for help from its colonies. The issue becomes, should Canada send troops, and if so, how? Conscription or Volunteerism?

Bourassa and French-Canadian Nationalism
Henri Bourassa is a French leader in Laurier’s cabinet who opposes and Canadian involvement in the Boer War. Quebec is fine defending Canada, and even defending Britain, because they are grateful for the British Crown protecting French culture. However, Quebec does not support an expedition for Britain to a war in South Africa Quebec believes that Canada needs its own military, and should not become involved in foreign entanglements.

The British Protestant population of Canada had strong imperial sentiment, and demanded Canadian participation in return for all Britain has done for Canada. The liberal government decides on volunteerism, allowing volunteers to go, but Britain must pay for everything, and they must go as British units. Laurier expects only 1000 volunteers, but there are 8000 volunteers. When they serve on the field, they have maple leafs on their shirts and are proud to represent Canada.

However, Laurier’s compromise makes no one happy.
(1) English Canadians are embarrassed by a weak response offered to Britain.
(2) Bourassa resigns because he thinks that Laurier is a sell-out to English Canadian interests, and this is the first step to giving into Britain forever.
Laurier’s support in Quebec is being fractured. Quebec will not go conservative, and so French-nationalism begins to build, following and lead by Henri Bourassa. Canada performs well in the war, but the The Boer War satisfies no one and stirs up opposition and anger. It becomes a precedent for WWI, where these issues will come out in a much greater manner.

Coming out of the Boer war in 1902, Britain recognizes a sea change and calls the Imperial Conference in London, England, which brings together all of the leaders of the British Dominions to discuss issues in Europe. Laurier refuses to attend because he sees this as part of the question. He will “not bring Canada into the vortex of militarism which is the curse of Europe.”

Question 34

Imperial Question

1871: Treaty of Washington

Answer 34

In 1871, the Treaty of Washington is signed after the American civil war between Britain and the US, in the British attempt to appease the US.

Why would Britain do this?
Britain unofficially supported the South during the civil war, and have poor relations with Americans as a result. This treaty deals with all of the American claims for compensation from Britain for interfering in civil war (e.g. Alabama Raids). The compensation is that the US gets access to Canadian fisheries.

John A. Macdonald attended as a signatory to this treaty; he is one of a group of three, with two other Brits. His representation is symbolic because Canada does not have the right to sign treaties. He is upset, and we are beginning to see Canadian interests being sacrificed by Britain in an attempt to gain the US as a friend, which is a strategy against Germany.

This strategy proves fruitful in WWI and WWII, and this serves as a backdrop for the Alaska Boundary Dispute 25 years later.

Question 35

Imperial Question

1897: Alaska Boundary Dispute

Answer 35

Alaska was purchased by the US from Russia the same year as Confederation. The issue is that no one is exactly clear on where the border is between BC and Alaska, and no one really cared until The Klondike Gold Rush.

At the end of the 1890s, gold is discovered in Klondike and gold fever takes over. Borders are only important when there is wealth or resources to be extracted. Over night, tons of prospectors come pouring in to set up camps and get rich. 20 000 people come pouring in to Docine City in 1898, which is three times the size of Winnipeg, one of Canada’s 3 largest cities at the time.

Why does the border matter?
Skagway is a a water entry point in the Yukon, and it is the only way into the Klondike. To Canada, it is in the Yukon and to the US, it is in Alaska. Whoever it belongs to can tax the gold and control who goes in and out, and so the boundary becomes an important issue.

T. Roosevelt is the US President at this time, and takes a harsh stance on this issue, threatening to take hostilities if they do not get their way on this boundary issue. Canada takes a stand against American bullying and pursues it as an economic issue, BUT Canada does not get to make choices in this issue. Britain seeks American friendship and so Canadian interests are sacrificed again. This time, two of the signatories are Canadian and one is British, but in a board of 6, 3 Americans side with the US, 2 Canadians side with Canada, and Britain sides with the US. Americans have the stronger case in this situation, anyways, so it is not just a case of nationalism, but nevertheless, Henri Bourassa fears the nationalists taking over.

Question 36

1910: Naval Service Bill (The Naval Debate)

Answer 36

1910: Naval Service Bill
When the Liberal party is in trouble in 1910, with an election coming in 1911, the Liberal Party defense Line becomes building a Canadian navy.

The Conservative Party defense Line becomes giving Britain money directly (Canada’s military will suck and be a disaster and headache).

This highlights the imperial issue: Should Canada have its own navy policy?

In 1910, Laurier passes the Naval Service Bill which calls for a dozen Canadian ships. A bill is put in place to have the navy passed, but an election is coming.

Question 37

Imperial Question

1911: Trade/Tariffs (The Reciprocity Election)

Answer 37

For the first time since 1896, the Liberals are in trouble in an election…

The Conservatives have a good leader who might beat Laurier: Robert Borden (maritimes lawyer, a gentleman politician).

The Conservatives delay the Naval Service Bill by refusing to go vote, and using delaying tactics in Parliament, and so the Bill is not passed by the election in 1911. In 1911, Canada still does not have a National Defense Policy, and is only 3 years away from the war.

The Conservatives are looking good in the election, but then Laurier announces that Canada has signed a Free Trade Policy with the US. Canadians remember the Reciprocity Treaty and the prosperity attached to it. The Canadian economy is slipping into recession by 1910 and the price of natural products such as wheat is falling. SO as Canada is entering an economic recession by 1910, Laurier announces the Free Trade.

Borden is devastated and thinks that the Conservatives do not have a chance, and so the conservatives take on a new strategy: they hold onto the British flag, and state that free trade is turning our backs on the Empire. The old fear of the US changes from a military fear to an economic fear; they instill fear of the economic power of the US, and fear of the loss of Canadian industry and jobs. The Conservative Slogan is: “No truck or trade with the Yankees”; they are anti-free trade. Even Clifford Sifton and Henri Bourassa campaign against Laurier and the Liberal party. Shockingly, Robert Borden and the Conservatives win over Laurier and the Liberal Party. In 1911, Sir Robert Borden is elected PM of Canada (1911-1920). The Reciprocity Deal is dead, and free trade is lost. This is a major blow for the West, and the beginning of Western alienation. The defeat of reciprocity in the election is the beginning of the Agrarian Revolt. Neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives can protect agriculture; they are parties based on Quebec and Ontario because that is where all the seats are. The West begins to consider new parties and separation, and farmers organizations enter politics. “United Farmers” becomes a political party and movement (it is not an ideology, rather, it is populist). We see populism coming out of the West, and even in the US. The Agrarian Revolt is underway.

Question 38

1905: Saskatchewan Schools Question

Answer 38

The Liberal other base of support is in the West where Laurier has created the Immigration Boom and created two new provinces that are soundly liberal.

But when Alberta and Saskatchewan become the 8th and 9th provinces, one of the issues that immediately emerges in 1905 (with the Autonomy Bills that emerge these new provinces), is the Schools Question.

Laurier gives them funding for denominational schools, and makes them bilingual. Clifford Sifton resigns immediately, and Laurier backs down, and gives Alberta and Saskatchewan get unilingual public schools.

However, Sifton has already resigned, and this shows that the Laurier government is now in trouble. It has lost Bourassa and Sifton.

This is going to be trouble for the Liberal party should the Conservative party get their stuff together.