24/01/03 / Slide 1 [email protected] The Naval Issue - 1910.

24/01/03 / Slide [email protected]

The Naval Issue - 1910


What Started It?

A pretty long time ago, after Canada gained it's independence tension grew between Great Britain and Germany. Germany's

fast-growing navy was challenging Britain's control of the Seas. This caused Britain to launch the “Dreadnought” in 1905, which, at the time was the most powerfully armed ship in the world! But

Germany just built more battleships.


Sooo.....

Britain asked for Canadian financial support to maintain Naval Superiority and build “Dreadnought-class ships”. In return for there

support Britain would protect Canada.


So What's The Issue?

Well, not all Canadians wanted this. Some (mostly the French) didn't want to rely on another country (especially Britain) for protection.

'We needed to become more independent from Britain. This race between two European countries for superiority was none of Canada's

business or concern.'


BUT.....

Others (the English) wanted to help. 'We must help rebuild the Royal Navy!'

They thought that we should give money through direct taxes from all Canadians.


So What Did We Do?

Laurier, the Prime Minister at the time, wanted to please everyone. So he made a compromise. He'd create Canada's own Navy, but he'd

BUY ships from Britain! Britain could borrow them in times of war. This sounds like a good idea but it still not everyone was happy....


Why Wasn't Everyone Happy?

Because Canada only bought two older ships from Britain and the English said that we would be mocked as a “tin pot” navy. What was even the point of only having TWO ships to protect us from THREE oceans?? This would be insignificant compared to other countries

Navy's.


The French on the Other Hand....

Were somewhat pleased by this compromise. Having our own navy would make us more independent but there was no guarantee that we

wouldn't be dragged into a future European war.


To Wrap it Up...

The naval issue destroyed Laurier's support which led to his defeat in the 1911 election. In 1913 Robert Borden (Prime Minister) introduced

a naval bill that contributed $35 million to Britain to create 3 more dreadnoughts., but this naval debate would soon become insignificant

by the outbreak of WW1.

24/01/03 / Slide 1 [email protected] The Naval Issue - 1910.

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