CHANGES IN CANADA 18671917
POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC
DIPLOMATIC AND PRAGMATIC CHANGES IN
CANADA
• On June 1, 1909 the Department of External Affairs was established.
• The word “foreign” was avoided in the establishment of the department
although the department dealt with diplomacy.
• The UK still controlled foreign policy in Canada.
DIPLOMATIC AND PRAGMATIC CHANGES IN
CANADA
• Canada did not attain the majority of control over their foreign relation until
World War 1.
• The full control over foreign affairs in Canada was not domestically controlled
until 1931. (Canada became independent in 1867)
• The department of external affairs was not changed to the Department of
Foreign Affairs and international trade until 1993.
THE POLICIES OF MACKENZIE
• Mackenzie King was the longest lasting prime minister of Canada later in his
career but served as deputy minister of labor in 1900.
• King acted as a conciliator in a number of strikes.
• King was also the main influence behind the Industrial Disputes Act of 1907
which delayed strikes or lockouts in public utilities.
THE IRON SPIKE
• The Iron spike was the last spike in the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
• It was driven into the ground on November 7, 1885 at 9:22 am.
• The last spike symbolized the end of a saga of natural disasters, financial
crises and rebellion.
• The last spike in a railroad is normally gold or silver but due to poor weather
the General Governor that was to initiate the ceremony had to return to
Ottawa with the silver spike.
THE IRON SPIKE
• The Canadian Pacific Railroad joined the Pacific province to the Central
Province.
• The railroad was a major reason British Columbia agreed to join the
Canadian Confederacy.
• The project was originally expected to be finished in 1881 and caused
political unrest in British Columbia.
• The iron spike stands as a symbol of national unity.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TO BRITAIN
• Canada and Laurer somewhat agreed to back Britain and World War 1.
• Because Canada was composed of such a large array of provinces, it had
little in terms of cooperation as this could be seen by the resentment of going
to war in Henri Bourassu.
• Because the U.K. still controlled Canada’s foreign policy they had little say in
going to war unless they were willing to risk war with Britain.
THE LAURIER GOVERNMENT
• Wilfrid Laurier was a leader of the liberal party 1887 - 1919 and prime
minister between 1896 – 1911
• He was a dominant political figure
• Laurier opposed confederation
• Laurier got his big step into power by seceeding
THE LAURIER GOVERNMENT (FIRST PHASE)
• The first phase was less successful and went from 1887-1891.
• Suggested unrestricted reciprocity with the U.S. but was rejected in 1891 by a
general election even though the majority of the seats were in the hands of
Liberals.
• Laurier was perceived as a continentalist and anti-British.
THE LAURIER GOVERNMENT (SECOND PHASE)
• The second phase was the more successful of the two and occurred from
1891-1896.
• Laurier built a strong liberal party as conservatives were experiencing
difficulties.
• In June of 1896 Laurier was chosen over Charles Tupper to be the Prime
Minister of Canada.
THE LAURIER GOVERNMENT (PRIME MINISTER)
• Laurier enacted policies to heal the wounds of Canada.
• Laurier did not protect rights of Roman Catholics to teach religion during
school and unified the education system.
• Laurier also built two transcontinental railways, adding to the one that had
previously been built.
CANADIAN NATIONALISM IN THE EARLY 20TH
CENTURY
• Canada had recently gained its independence from Britain and felt the need
to develop a national idea.
• Canada began to spread westward, much similar to the beginning of the
United States.
• With the transcontinental railroad Canada was now connected from sea to
sea.
CANADIAN NATIONALISM IN THE EARLY 20TH
CENTURY
• Canada’s westward spread was a Canadian ideology of Manifest Destiny.
• Most people during the time period wanted Canada to become the
confederation spanning over the upper end of the entire continent of North
America.
• People also began to stray from wanting Britain intervention at all which was
very different from late 19th century.
WORKS CITED
Bellenger, Real “Sir Wilfred Laurier.” The Canadian Encyclopedia web. 01 Dec.
2014.
Marsh, James H. “Railway History.” The Canadian Encyclopedia web. 01 Dec.
2014.
Marsh, James H. “Mackenzie King: The Alchemist” The Canadian Encyclopedia
web. 01 Dec. 2014.
“Department of foreign affairs and international trade” The Canadian
Encyclopedia web. 01 Dec. 2014.