How Did Laurier Dominate Canada

Over the early years of 1900 I believe that Canada is a divided and self-centered country because of the four problems Laurier faced during that time period.

Firstly Laurier was divided between English Canadian and French Canadians. Whatever he did he seemed to never be able to please either side or get them to agree on the same point. In the Boer War English Canadians and French Canadians had a disagreement over the fact that if they should be sending army troops over to South Africa to help out Britain in the war. The french believed “As a people who had been conquered themselves, they sympathized with the Boers… they argued, should Canada take part in a distant wars that did not directly affect its interests? And Canada had not taken part

Laurier had seen the dividing of the country. Now he saw their self centered side. Britain wanted Canada to send cash but Laurier said he would help by building his own navy. He passed the Naval Service Bill which stated he “Establish its own navy with five cruisers and six destroyers. The navy would be under Canadian command...be put under British control during an emergency” (Making History 48).The English Canadians disagreed because they thought “The Naval Service Bill did not go far enough. Robert Borden wanted to “Build its [Canada’s Navy] own navy, but should immediately contribute money to Britain.” (Making History 49) They were concerned that the navy would not automatically support Britain in time of war.” As I mentioned above English Canadians were hoping that if they helped Britain, Britain would help them in the land dispute over Alaska. On the other hand the French Canadians felt “The bill went too far…The new navy would, he argued [Bourassa], draw Canadians into foreign conflicts. They would waste their “gold and blood” on issues that had nothing to do with them.” (Making History 49).Thus Laurier’s trouble kept increasing and the nation got more divided and