History & Geography · Grade 8 · Canada 1890–1914: A Changing Society · Term 1

The Laurier Era: 'Canada's Century'

Students assess the leadership of Wilfrid Laurier and his vision for 'Canada's Century.'

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: History: Canada, 1890–1914: A Changing Society - Grade 8

About This Topic

The Laurier Era (1896–1911) is often characterized by the phrase 'the twentieth century shall be the century of Canada.' Students examine the leadership of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's first French-Canadian Prime Minister, and his 'Sunny Ways' approach to diplomacy. This period was one of rapid growth, industrialization, and intense debate over Canada's identity and its place within the British Empire.

Students will analyze how Laurier navigated the tensions between English-Canadian imperialists and French-Canadian nationalists on issues like the Boer War and the creation of a Canadian Navy. This topic is essential for understanding the transition of Canada from a colonial outpost to a more autonomous nation. This topic comes alive when students can use structured debates and role plays to simulate the difficult political compromises Laurier had to make to keep a young and divided country together.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how Laurier navigated tensions between English-Canadian imperialism and French-Canadian nationalism.
2. Explain the impacts of the 'Sunny Ways' approach to the Manitoba Schools Question.
3. Evaluate Laurier's economic policies and their contribution to national growth.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the competing interests of English-Canadian imperialists and French-Canadian nationalists during the Laurier Era.
• Explain how Laurier's 'Sunny Ways' approach influenced the resolution of the Manitoba Schools Question.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Laurier's economic policies in fostering national growth and industrialization.
• Compare Laurier's diplomatic strategies with those of previous Canadian prime ministers in managing national unity.
• Synthesize primary source documents to construct an argument about Laurier's vision for 'Canada's Century'.

Before You Start

Confederation and Early Canadian Politics

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Canada's formation and the early political landscape to grasp the context of Laurier's leadership and the challenges he faced.

The Role of the Prime Minister

Why: Understanding the responsibilities and powers of the Prime Minister is essential for analyzing Laurier's leadership and decision-making processes.

French-English Relations in Canada

Why: Prior knowledge of historical tensions and dynamics between French and English-speaking Canadians provides the necessary background for analyzing Laurier's efforts to bridge these divides.

Key Vocabulary

Sunny Ways	A political approach characterized by conciliation, compromise, and a gentle, persuasive manner, famously employed by Wilfrid Laurier to navigate difficult national issues.
Imperialism	A policy or ideology of extending a country's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control. In this context, it refers to the desire for closer ties and loyalty to the British Empire.
Nationalism	Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. In this context, it refers to a strong sense of French-Canadian identity and desire for autonomy.
Manitoba Schools Question	A contentious political issue in Manitoba during the late 19th and early 20th centuries concerning the funding and nature of Catholic and Protestant separate schools, which Laurier sought to resolve through compromise.
Reciprocity	A mutual exchange of privileges or rights, especially between countries. Laurier pursued trade agreements, including reciprocity with the United States, as a means of economic growth.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Laurier's 'Sunny Ways' meant that everyone was happy and agreed.

What to Teach Instead

Laurier's compromises often left both sides feeling dissatisfied. Using a 'think-pair-share' on the Boer War compromise helps students see that 'Sunny Ways' was a pragmatic political strategy to avoid national fracture, not a magic solution.

Common Misconception

Canada was completely independent from Britain during this time.

What to Teach Instead

Canada was still a dominion and Britain still controlled its foreign policy. The debates over the navy and the Boer War show the slow and difficult process of gaining autonomy. A timeline activity can help students see the gradual shift in power.

Active Learning Ideas

Formal Debate: The Naval Service Act

Divide the class into three groups: Imperialists (who want to give money to the British Navy), Nationalists (who want no navy), and Laurier's supporters (who want a Canadian Navy). Students debate which path best serves Canada's future.

50 min·Whole Class

Role Play: The Manitoba Schools Question

Students act as Laurier and Premier Greenway of Manitoba. They must negotiate a 'Sunny Ways' compromise that addresses the rights of French Catholic students without alienating the Protestant majority in the West.

45 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk: Canada's Century

Display posters and advertisements from the Laurier era promoting Canada's growth. Students analyze the imagery to identify who the 'vision' of Canada was intended for and who was excluded from this prosperity.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Political commentators today analyze how leaders use different communication styles, much like Laurier's 'Sunny Ways,' to build consensus during times of social or political division, for example, during debates on national infrastructure projects.
• Historians and economists examine the long-term impacts of trade agreements, such as the reciprocity negotiations Laurier pursued with the United States, to understand how they shaped Canada's economic development and relationship with its southern neighbor.
• Civic education programs often use case studies of historical compromises, like the Manitoba Schools Question, to teach students about the challenges of balancing minority rights with national policy, a skill vital for citizens in a diverse democracy.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the following question to small groups: 'Imagine you are advisors to Prime Minister Laurier. Given the deep divisions over the Boer War, how would you advise him to use his 'Sunny Ways' to address both English-Canadian imperialist sentiments and French-Canadian nationalist concerns? What specific actions could he take?'

Quick Check

Provide students with a short excerpt from a speech by Laurier and another from a prominent nationalist or imperialist figure of the era. Ask students to identify one key argument from each excerpt and explain how Laurier might have responded to the nationalist/imperialist argument using his characteristic approach.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write: 1. One economic policy Laurier implemented. 2. One sentence explaining its intended impact on Canada's growth. 3. One potential challenge or criticism of that policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Laurier mean by 'Sunny Ways'?

The term refers to Laurier's preference for negotiation and compromise over force or rigid demands. He believed that by being flexible and finding a middle ground, he could keep the diverse and often conflicting groups in Canada (especially French and English) united.

What was the Manitoba Schools Question?

This was a crisis over the Manitoba government's decision to stop funding Catholic schools and remove French as an official language. Laurier negotiated a compromise that allowed for some religious instruction and French-language teaching where numbers warranted, rather than forcing the province to restore the old system.

Why was the Boer War a problem for Laurier?

English Canadians wanted to send troops to help Britain in South Africa, while many French Canadians, led by Henri Bourassa, felt Canada should not get involved in Britain's imperial wars. Laurier compromised by sending a volunteer force, which satisfied neither side completely but prevented a government collapse.

How can active learning help students understand the Laurier Era?

Active learning, such as structured debates on the Naval Service Act, helps students understand the 'balancing act' of Canadian politics. By taking on the roles of imperialists and nationalists, students feel the pressure Laurier was under to maintain national unity, making his political maneuvers much more understandable than just reading about them.