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Wilfred Laurier Becomes Prime Minister
In 1887 Sir Wildfred Laurier became the Liberal leader, and during the 1896 elections, his party defeated the Conservative government. Canada's new Prime Minister held on to power for 15 years. -
Boer War
This was a war consisting of two sides: The British, and the decendents of the Dutch also known as Boers. The war was caused by the discovery of gold and many British miners flooding in which the Boers did not like. -
Building A New Railway
The CPR had been the main railway since 1881 but now the CNR ( Canadian Northern Railway ) was starting up. This railway basically follwed the same route as the originally CPR. Eventually even more railways were built such as the Grand Trunk Railroad. -
Alaska Boundry Dispute
The US claimed Alaska from Russia in 1867 and nobody really cared about it until gold was discovered. The US owned continuous stretch of coastline but Canada wanted some of it which connected it to the Yukon. It was was taken to a tribunal. The judges ignored Canadian protests and voted in favour of the Americans. -
Saskatchewan Becomes A Province
In 1904, Liberals and Conservatives supported making the Territoires into Provinces, but couldnt agree over how it would be done. F.W.G. Haultin wanted a single large pronivce but Conservatives didnt want him to govern it so they spilt into 2 provinces so he couldnt govern both of them. The Territories were split and Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces. -
Alberta Becomes A Province
In 1904, Liberals and Conservatives supported making the Territoires into Provinces, but couldnt agree over how it would be done. F.W.G. Haultin wanted a single large pronivce but Conservatives didnt want him to govern it so they spilt into 2 provinces so he couldnt govern both of them. The Territories were split and Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces. -
Anti Asian Riots
Opposistion of Asian immigration formed the Asiatic Exclusion League in 1907. When James Dusnuir didnt sign a bill to exclude Japanese immigrints to Canada protesters marched to city hall and caused lots of destruction and rioting. -
Arival of New Inventions
Many new inventions came out during this period. These items included the first car, the first plane and also the radio. These inventions have helped push Canada forward into the country it is today. -
Naval Crisis
Canadian Imperialists thought that Canada should contribute more to Britain, while nationislts did not. Laurier compromised and set up a small navy which would be placed under control of Britain in thier need. The navy consisted of 2 obsolete warships and was titled, "The Tin Pot Navy" -
Unions
Workers Began to organize unions in the early 1900's and about 10% of all workers formed these. Early unions had many problems as unskilled workers could be easily replaced. The governement liked employers rather than unions and soon companies hired private police when workers went on strike. -
Womens Movement
Canadian women have been organizing to get their place in society and to demand equality and justice. Through legal and political ways, the women's movement has allowed Canadian women to obtain equality. -
Borden Becoming Prime Minister
He was elected Leader of the Conservative Party in 1901, and was Leader of the Opposition from 1901 to 1911. Prime Minister Robert Borden led Canada through World War I, eventually making 500,000 troops commit to the war effort. -
Immigration To The Praries
Many Canadians coming to the praries had just claimed thier land and their first task wask to raise at least $500. Thier first house was usually horrible which was made out of sod and dirt. They endured many hardships such as disease and grasshoppers. -
Nisga'a Land Claim
In 1913 many people of the of the Nisga'a wanted to have full rights to thier ancestral lands. The treaty they had stated that they could only catch 20% of the salmon in the river. Change would not yet happen until many years later in 1960. -
Life On The Praries
Many Canadians coming to the praries had just claimed thier land and their first task wask to raise at least $500. Thier first house was usually horrible which was made out of sod and dirt. They endured many hardships such as disease and grasshoppers. -
Immigration Issues
Chinese were seen as cheap labour, and many thought they were making the standard of living lower in Canada. Eventually Sikhs started immigrating as well but Canada put a law in place which only let ships coming from other places land if in Canada if they hadnt stopped anywhere else. -
Life In The City
From 1898 to 1914 almost 1.5 M people and come to the West. About 1/3 of these people settled into cities. Later on almost 50% of people were living in cities and living conditions were harsh, with people resising in ghettos where people were crammed into one/two room tenements. -
The Last Best West
Laurier was known to bring more money to Canada as well as more people, which in turn cooperated with each other. More people = more money, more money = more people. Homestead lands were not given out anymore during this time and there was lots of new development. hundreds of people were coming to Canada from all over the world including Russia, Poland and Hungary.
