CANADA HISTORY - Elections

1911 ELECTION


The 1911 federal election in Canada was one of the most significant and hotly contested elections in the country’s history, dramatically shaping the political landscape and Canada’s future relationship with its southern neighbor, the United States. The election saw two prominent national leaders, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the incumbent Liberal Prime Minister, and Robert Borden, leader of the Conservative Party, square off over key issues that polarized the electorate. The campaign was dominated by the contentious topics of free trade with the United States, naval defense, and Canada's ties to the British Empire, all of which would define the nation’s path in the years to come.

Political Situation Before the Election

In the years leading up to the 1911 election, Canada was experiencing a period of economic growth and transformation. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who had been Prime Minister since 1896, was a charismatic leader known for his vision of a united Canada that balanced both English and French Canadian interests. His tenure had seen major accomplishments, including the rapid expansion of the economy, the settlement of the West, and the construction of transcontinental railways. However, his policies also generated increasing opposition, particularly from English Canadians who felt Laurier was not doing enough to strengthen Canada’s ties with the British Empire and was too conciliatory toward French Canadians.

Laurier’s government had weathered a number of political challenges, including debates over language rights and tensions between English and French Canada over Canada's role in supporting British imperial ambitions. By 1911, the political landscape had become increasingly divided, particularly over two major issues: the proposed reciprocity (free trade) agreement with the United States and naval defense policy.

The Leaders and Their Parties

The 1911 election was largely framed as a contest between two contrasting leaders with different visions for Canada.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal Party): Laurier, then 70 years old, was Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister and a statesman with a strong reputation for balancing the interests of Canada's English and French populations. He believed in the development of a distinct Canadian identity and sought a moderate approach to imperialism. Laurier’s Liberals were traditionally aligned with progressive policies focused on national development, infrastructure, and economic growth.

Robert Borden (Conservative Party): Borden, Laurier’s primary rival, was a staunch advocate of strengthening Canada’s ties with Britain and the Empire. Born in Nova Scotia, Borden had been Conservative leader since 1901 and had struggled for a decade to overcome Laurier’s popularity. However, by 1911, he found his opportunity in the growing dissatisfaction with Laurier’s policies, particularly among English-speaking Canadians who felt Laurier’s government was compromising too much on national defense and ties with Britain.

The Issues of the Election

Three main issues dominated the 1911 election: reciprocity with the United States, naval defense, and Canada's imperial ties to Britain. These issues revealed deep divisions in the country and set the stage for one of the most pivotal elections in Canadian history.

Reciprocity (Free Trade) with the United States: The most explosive issue of the campaign was the proposed reciprocity agreement with the U.S. Laurier’s government negotiated a deal that would reduce tariffs between the two countries, particularly on agricultural products, in the hopes of benefiting Canadian farmers and promoting trade. While the proposal was supported in rural areas, particularly in Western Canada, it faced fierce opposition in manufacturing regions like Ontario and Quebec, where industrialists feared American competition would undermine Canadian industries. Critics of the deal accused Laurier of trying to sacrifice Canadian sovereignty and independence by tying Canada too closely to the U.S.

Naval Defense: The issue of naval defense was another contentious topic. In 1910, Laurier’s government passed the Naval Service Act, which created a small Canadian navy to support British imperial defense. This move angered both English Canadians, who wanted Canada to directly contribute to the British navy, and French Canadians, who saw it as a further erosion of Canadian autonomy. Borden and the Conservatives criticized Laurier’s naval policy as insufficient and argued for a greater commitment to the British Empire.

Imperial Ties and National Sovereignty: Closely tied to the naval defense debate was the larger issue of Canada’s relationship with Britain and the Empire. Borden and the Conservatives positioned themselves as defenders of the Empire, advocating for policies that would ensure Canada’s active participation in imperial defense and foreign policy. Laurier, while a supporter of Canada’s membership in the Empire, sought to maintain a more autonomous and independent position for Canada within the British Commonwealth.

Campaign Strategy and Effectiveness

The strategies employed by both parties during the campaign were highly effective, tapping into the deep divides that characterized Canadian politics at the time.

Laurier and the Liberals: Laurier’s campaign focused on the benefits of the reciprocity agreement with the U.S., emphasizing that free trade would benefit Canadian farmers and strengthen the economy. He appealed to Western Canadian farmers, many of whom stood to benefit from increased access to American markets. Laurier also framed the issue of free trade as a move toward greater Canadian independence from Britain, positioning the Liberals as champions of Canadian sovereignty and economic self-interest.

Borden and the Conservatives: Borden, on the other hand, centered his campaign on opposition to reciprocity, portraying the agreement as a dangerous step toward the economic and political annexation of Canada by the U.S. The Conservative slogan, “No Truck or Trade with the Yankees,” resonated with English Canadians who feared that closer economic ties with the U.S. would erode Canada's national identity. Borden also made a strong appeal to imperial loyalty, positioning his party as the defenders of Canada’s role in the British Empire. His focus on naval defense and imperial ties helped to consolidate support among English Canadians, particularly in Ontario and the Maritimes.

Events of the Campaign

The campaign itself was highly polarized and fiercely contested. The reciprocity debate dominated public discourse, with both sides using heated rhetoric to sway voters. Laurier’s supporters emphasized the economic benefits of free trade, while Borden’s campaign painted the reciprocity agreement as a betrayal of Canadian interests.

In Quebec, Laurier faced significant challenges from nationalist elements led by Henri Bourassa, who opposed both the naval defense policy and the reciprocity agreement. Bourassa argued that the naval policy would drag Canada into British imperial conflicts, while reciprocity would erode French Canadian culture by increasing American influence.

In Ontario, the manufacturing sector rallied against the reciprocity deal, fearing it would expose Canadian industries to unfair competition from larger American firms. Borden’s message of protecting Canadian industries and maintaining ties with Britain resonated deeply in the province, helping to shift support away from Laurier.

Election Results and Aftermath

The election was held on September 21, 1911, and the results were a decisive victory for Robert Borden and the Conservative Party. The Conservatives won 133 seats, compared to the Liberals’ 85 seats. The election marked the end of Laurier’s 15-year reign as Prime Minister and the beginning of a new era under Borden.

The defeat of Laurier and the Liberals was largely attributed to the issue of reciprocity, which had deeply divided the country. In the West, the Liberals retained strong support, but in Ontario and Quebec, the Conservatives made significant gains by appealing to anti-American sentiment and imperial loyalty. Laurier’s failure to maintain a balance between English and French Canadian interests, particularly on the naval defense issue, also contributed to his downfall.

In the aftermath of the election, the reciprocity agreement with the U.S. was scrapped, and Canada remained more closely aligned with Britain. The election also set the stage for Canada’s role in the First World War, as Borden’s government took a leading role in supporting Britain during the conflict.

Laurier would remain a significant figure in Canadian politics, continuing to lead the Liberal Party until his death in 1919, but the 1911 election marked a turning point in his political career and in the country’s history. It reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the British Empire and signaled the deep divisions that would continue to shape Canadian politics in the years to come.

In conclusion, the 1911 federal election was a watershed moment in Canadian history, characterized by intense debates over free trade, national defense, and imperial loyalty. It was a contest between two visions for Canada’s future, with Borden’s victory affirming the country’s place within the British Empire and setting the stage for its role in the global conflicts of the 20th century. The issues raised during the campaign would continue to resonate in Canadian politics, influencing the nation’s development and identity for decades.

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Robert Borden - Conservative

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Wilfred Laurier - Liberal

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John A Macdonald

Election
Party
Elected Members # of Candidates % of Popular Vote % of Seats
1911 (September 21) - Turnout: 70.2 %
Conservative  133 215 51.2 % 60.2 %
Liberal  85 222 47.8 % 38.9 %
Other  2 26 1.0 % 0.9 %
Total 221 463    
Government--133, Opposition--88, Majority--45
Total - 221 Conservative Liberal Other
Canada 85 133 3
PEI 1 3 -
Nova Scotia 6 12 -
New Brunswick 2 11 -
Quebec 11 53 1
Ontario 48 36 2
Manitoba 8 2 -
Saskatchewan 1 9 -
Alberta 3 4 -
BC 5 2 -
Yukon & NWT - 1 -

Cite Article : Reference: www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents/documents.html

Source: NA



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