Sir Wilfrid Laurier :: essays research papers

Sir Wilfrid LaurierThe first French Canadian to locomote prime minister of Canada was Wilfrid Laurier.Although French was his native tongue, he became a insure of the Englishlanguage. This and his picturesque personality made him popular throughoutCanada, and he led the young country in a 15-year period of enceinte development.Wilfrid Laurier was born in St-Lin, Quebec, and studied law at McGill University.After three years in the Quebec legislature, he was elected to the CanadianHouse of commonness in 1874. There he rose rapidly to attractionship. Although he was aFrench Canadian and a popish Catholic, he was chosen leader of the Liberal companyin 1887. Nine years later he became prime minister. He was knighted in 1897."Build up Canada" were the watchwords of Lauriers governance. Laurier was loyalto keen Britain, sent Canadian volunteers to help in the Boer War, establisheda duty favorable to British goods, and worked to strengthen the ties betweenthe two countrie s. But he saw the British Empire as a worldwide hamper of freeand equal nations, and he opposed every attempt to doctor Canadas freedom.Lauriers liberal immigration policy brought hundreds of thousands of settlersto the western provinces. He reduced postal rates, promoted the building ofrailroads needed for national expansion, and appointed a commission to flummoxrailroad rates. After 15 years in office his government was defeated, presumablyon the issue of reciprocal trade with the United States. Laurier believed,however, that his governmental defeat was caused primarily by opponents in Ontariowho considered him too partial to Roman Catholic interests in Quebec. Prior to ground War I, Laurier tried forcefully to support the formation of a Canadiannavy. His own Liberal party defeated this measure, however, and Canada enteredthe war without a fleet of its own. During the early years of World War I,Laurier supported the war policy of Sir Robert Bordens Conservative government.In 1 917 he refused to join a coalition government that was formed to upholdconscription. Laurier felt up that he could not back a measure so less-traveled in theprovince of Quebec. Wilfrid Lauriers regime lasted 15 years. It was one ofre unsandeded ripening and prosperity. The Manitoba School Question was promptly hushedup by new legislation enacted by the province in accordance with a via mediaworked out with Ottawa. To his Cabinet Laurier drew some of the most capableleaders from every part of Canada. Business throughout the world was on anupswing, and the Laurier government was determined to get in on the action. Thedemand for Canadian shuck abroad encouraged immigration, and immigration in turn