Was Laurier an Imperialist or a French Canadian Nationalist? What was his legacy?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911, lawyer, journalists, and politician. Laurier was the first French Canadian Prime Minister of Canada, but he did not just support the French, he also supported the English. He Believed in equality and compromise for all. He was viewed as a French Canadian Nationalist because he did not want stronger ties with Great Britain and created the Naval Service Bill. He was also viewed as an Imperialists because he sent troops to The South African War (Boer War). Therefore, Laurier was known as the Man of Compromise by supporting both the French Canadian Nationalists and the Imperialists
Ties with Great Britain was a very controversial topic. The Imperialists wanted to remain part of the British Empire and with a strong relationship, but the French Canadian Nationalists did not see any reason to increase ties with Great Britain and would not support efforts to have more decisions made in Great Britain. Laurier wanted a relationship with …show more content…
The French Canadian Nationalists did not want Canada to give money to the British Navy. They wanted to spend money on their own navy and did not want to fight Britain’s wars. The Imperialists wanted to spend more money on Great Britain’s navy to enlarge it which can protect Canada. To please both the French and the English Laurier passed the Naval Service Bill. It was intended to provide Canada with separate navy force. To please the Imperialists, if Great Britain is in emergency they would send their navy under Canada’s decision. In result, eleven million dollars wa spent to create five cruisers and six destroyers. Therefore, Laurier compromised for the French Canadian Nationalists and the Imperialists by signing the Naval Service Bill and supported the British
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911, lawyer, journalists, and politician. Laurier was the first French Canadian Prime Minister of Canada, but he did not just support the French, he also supported the English. He Believed in equality and compromise for all. He was viewed as a French Canadian Nationalist because he did not want stronger ties with Great Britain and created the Naval Service Bill. He was also viewed as an Imperialists because he sent troops to The South African War (Boer War). Therefore, Laurier was known as the Man of Compromise by supporting both the French Canadian Nationalists and the Imperialists
Ties with Great Britain was a very controversial topic. The Imperialists wanted to remain part of the British Empire and with a strong relationship, but the French Canadian Nationalists did not see any reason to increase ties with Great Britain and would not support efforts to have more decisions made in Great Britain. Laurier wanted a relationship with …show more content…
The French Canadian Nationalists did not want Canada to give money to the British Navy. They wanted to spend money on their own navy and did not want to fight Britain’s wars. The Imperialists wanted to spend more money on Great Britain’s navy to enlarge it which can protect Canada. To please both the French and the English Laurier passed the Naval Service Bill. It was intended to provide Canada with separate navy force. To please the Imperialists, if Great Britain is in emergency they would send their navy under Canada’s decision. In result, eleven million dollars wa spent to create five cruisers and six destroyers. Therefore, Laurier compromised for the French Canadian Nationalists and the Imperialists by signing the Naval Service Bill and supported the British