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POLI 243 Lecture 15 Notes
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POLI 243 Lecture 15 Notes: The Reciprocity Election of 1911
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Lecture 15 - March 11, 2019The Reciprocity Election of 1911
Explaining Laurier’s Defeat
, This is the first of two lectures that look at Canada’s Reciprocity Election, an election held in
1911 associated with a trade deal that was offered by the United States.
This presents us with two puzzles (one on the Canadian side, and one on the American side):
what happens in this election (explaining Laurier’s defeat), and why the United States made that
trade offer in the first place.
The Puzzle: Laurier’s Loss in 1911
Defeat of Sir Wilfrid Laurier
- Considered to be one of the most capable politicians in the British Empire.
- The British were asking the Dominions (the self-governing parts of the empire,
i.e. Canada, Australia, New Zealand) to contribute to imperial defence
- Laurier was the one leader from the Dominions that made counter-arguments to
the British government
- First Francophone Prime Minister
- Still Prime Minister in 1911, then succeeded by Sir Robert Borden
- Seen as a capable/confident politician, very smart strategist
- Election was close in the sense that if you look at the popular vote, it is a close race.
- However, in terms of seats, it is not that close; the Conservatives win a clear majority of
the seats.
Consequences for Canada’s effort in World War 1
- Borden is Prime Minister when WW1 broke out in 1914
- This is crucial to how Canada conducts the war; will create cleavages that still exist to
this day about how Borden managed the war.
Laurier was experienced & smart; bets on trade deal
- Laurier bet his government on a trade deal with the United States.
- Argued in favour of the trade deal, used it as a vehicle for his re-election.
How can we explain the results?
- Laurier lost - why would such an experienced politician make a bet that goes so terribly
wrong?
- In the readings, there are some non-economic explanations offered
The Liberals Reinterpret the National Policy
Laurier and the Liberals finally win in 1896
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