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Legacy
Seeking Independence
Even before the conflict’s end, Canada’s Prime Minister, Sir
Robert Borden, was determined to ensure that Canada’s war effort did not
go unrewarded. Borden wanted no less than for Canada to throw off its semi-colonial
status and take its rightful place among the leading countries of the world as
a fully independent sovereign nation.
Though Canada had declared independence in 1867, it was automatically in the
war when Britain declared war in 1914. This lack of autonomy in international
affairs rankled Borden and he believed Canada’s contribution to the war
was evidence of the “maturity of Canadian nationhood.” With that
in mind, Borden was pleased when Canada achieved a seat at the Imperial War Cabinet
in April, 1917. He saw it as a big step forward in Canada’s advancement
from being a colony in the Empire to a fully independent Dominion within the
Commonwealth. |
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As the war drew to a close, all the Allied nations began to jockey for position
at the Paris Peace Talks and Canada was no different. Borden arrived in Paris
just after the armistice and was emboldened by General Currie’s report
of Canada’s contributions to the victory. When Canada and the other dominions
were initially not granted direct representation at the peace table, Borden joined
forces with Australia and South Africa demanding parity with other small nations.
In January, 1919, they got their wish and each of the dominions was granted two
delegates at the negotiations. Though Borden felt the dominions should be separate
signatories to the treaties, Britain signed on behalf of the British Empire and
the dominions were allowed signatures below. |
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