CANADA DURING THE LAURIER YEARS (1896-1911)

Overview of Canada During the Laurier Years

  • Timeframe: 1896 - 1911

  • Prime Minister: Wilfrid Laurier

    • First French-Canadian Prime Minister

    • Served from 1896 to 1911

    • Advocated for compromise and fairness among English and French Canadians

    • Expanded Canada by creating Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905

    • Vision for the 20th century as the century of Canada

Big Question

  • Historical Thinking Concept: Did Canada mostly experience progress or decline during the Laurier Years?

  • Key Themes: Continuity and Change, Historical Perspective

Vocabulary

  • Wilfrid Laurier

  • Industrialization

  • "Open Door" Immigration policy

  • Xenophobia

  • Labour Union

  • Suffrage

Learning Goals

  • Understand the duality of experiences in Canada during the Laurier years:

    • Some Canadians enjoyed progress

    • Others faced hardships such as poverty and discrimination

Key Points on Progress and Decline

  1. Diverse Experiences:

    • Some Canadians experienced progress, particularly economic and population growth due to immigration.

    • Conversely, many marginalized groups faced decline, including:

      • Workers

      • Chinese Canadians

      • First Nations

      • French Canadians

      • Women

  2. Population and Economic Growth:

    • Significant immigration led to growth.

  3. Social Challenges:

    • Hardships included discrimination and poverty.