War, Prosperity, Depression and War

The outbreak of global war and the effect it had on Canada are influential aspects of the nations history. Each challenge represents an obstacle that was overcome by the men, women and political leaders of their respective times. Notably, the First and Second World Wars had a profound affect on the country and its people. One can argue that the leadership of Robert Borden and W.L.M. King can be compared and contrasted, the reality of their times at the helm of war rested on completely different circumstances. In this paper, Robert Borden’s war-time leadership will be outlined and then the changes made possible through experience and advancements will be noted through W.L.M. King’s contrasting leadership style twenty-one years later.

The leadership of Robert Borden as a Canadian Prime Minister, a half-century after confederation, was very practical as his cabinet was well organized despite their lack of experience. Borden was in a place where the nations destiny was still being constructed, it was at a stage where “few thought in terms of Canadian independence; most felt that the country was not yet strong enough, or sufficiently united, to be independent.” Borden came into government after a long stint of Liberal leadership, so his actions how were very new. He did not have a French-Canadian champion in his cabinet, which largely hindered to engage with the province of Quebec. Borden was so drawn to the British way that he “never overcame his view that Canada was a part of the British Empire and that Quebec had to accommodate itself to the larger nation. French Canada remained a mystery to Borden throughout his life.” It did not take long for Borden’s conservative government to falter, but it hung on by a thread. It was the ...

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...front, so should those at home.” Not only had the troops been sent into the field of unknown, but as was the same with Borden and his government. It was a matter of keeping the country protected, and the service of troops was what was necessary. Arguably, it would not be easy for a leader to be forced to send his own men into battle. It was a new role for Borden, and even despite its lack of support he did what he felt was in the best interest of the country. The Canadians were a key to the final assault that ended the war, with the Germans surrendering – the “Great War” was over. At the end of the war, it was known that Canadians would hold their own, that they were a forced to be wrecked with. The number of men who volunteered, as well as were conscripted, helped to build the Canadian military reputation ¬in great strides but at the expense of countless lives.