8th Prime Minister of Canada

June 26, 1854- June 10, 1937

Born into a poor family on a farm in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia

First job as a teacher when he was 14worked as a clerk at a Halifax law officeCalled to the BarHe quickly becomes a successful lawyer.

becomes a partner in a prominent Halifax law firm with Graham and Charles Hibbert Tupper (son of Sir Charles Tupper)

Married to Laura Bond The Tupper family draws Borden into

politics.

Dislikes politics Finds politics unorganized unlike the

courts Conservative Strongly against reciprocity

1901, elected by Conservative caucus to succeed Sir Charles Tupper as leader of the Conservative Party.

ten years as leader of the opposition A lot of Canada became dissatisfied with

Laurier’s policies Borden targeted the anti-Laurier groups

in the election of 1911

Anti Laurier groups consisted of: Business people against reciprocity, French Canadians against the Naval Service Act, and Conservative provincial administrations

Used slogans: “Canadianism or Continentalism”, “a white Canada”, and “no truck nor trade with the Yankees.”

Won the 1911 election

1914, War Measures Act 1916, Issue of war profiteering 1917, won election by creating a union

government 1917, Military Service Act 1917, War Tax Act 1917, Wartimes Election Act 1917, Military Voters Act Represented Canada at Paris Peace Conference Convinced Britain to let all of its Dominions

separately sign the Treaty of Versailles Approved use of troops to put down Winnipeg

general strike Last Prime Minister to be knighted

In 1920, Borden resigned due to bad health

Replaced by Arthur Meighen Became successful businessman and

chancellor of Queens University

Protected Canada from the influence of American businesses

Made Canada less integrated with Britain Gave the opportunity to women to vote Gave incentives to the men who went to

war An effective Prime Minister even though

he was considered to be indecisive

Sir Robert Laird Borden was a truly great Prime Minister

Books Title: Canadian Prime Ministers. Warts & All- Sir Robert Borden Author: Irene Ternier Gordon Published: 2007, Jack Fruit Press Ltd. Publisher: Jaqueline Brown Editor: Greg Mazlak   Websites http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3205-e.html , 2002-01-29,

researched on Jan. 2, 2010 "Sir Robert Laird Borden." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

2008. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Jan. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Borden#First_World_War , “Robert

Borden”, Jan 1 2010, researched on Jan 2, 2010