How Did Robert Borden Establish Canada

Robert Borden
Canada may have had a lot of great Prime Ministers considering they all offered something different and helped establish Canada, but Robert Borden was Canada’s best Prime Minister.
Robert Laird Borden, son to Andrew Borden and Eunice Jane Laird, was born on June 26th 1854 in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia and died on June 10th, 1937 in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 82. He got married to Laura Bond on September 25, 1889. Borden was an assistant schoolmaster at an academy at the age of 14. At 19, he was offered a teaching position but refused it as he saw no future in teaching. In 1878, he was called to the bar in Nova Scotia and proceeded to establish himself as a successful lawyer in partnership with Charles Hibbert Tupper, son of the future Conservative Prime Minister, Charles Tupper. This was how Borden established
an interest in politics. Robert Borden was first elected to the House of Commons in 1896. He was elected Leader of the Conservative Party in 1901, and was Leader of the Opposition from 1901 to 1911. Robert Borden led the Conservatives to victory in the 1911 general election on a platform against reciprocity or free trade with the United States, defeating Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberals. Robert Borden was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada in 1911. While in office, Borden faced a lot of challenges but managed to overcome all of them with a positive outcome.
Sir Robert Borden was an exceptional prime minister due to the fact that he encouraged women rights, he led Canada through World War One and he helped Canada gain greater independence.
Robert Borden encouraged women rights two major ways. He gave women the rights to work during World War One and he established an important law that implemented voting rights for women since he believed women should be able to voice their opinion on political matters
Before the great world war, women were commonly known as “house wives”, they would take care of the kids, make sure dinner is ready, and clean the house; while men would go out and work. When war had come upon us, men had to pack their bags and head off leaving their families and their jobs. With all these open jobs and no one to work, women began to fill these positions. This was the first time women were able to work and gain a sense of independence.
During World War One, Canada needed more volunteers to go out to war. No one was volunteering since all the soldiers that returned home were wounded. To solve this problem, Borden imposed conscription, although many people thought it was bad, without it The Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act would not have been established. The Military Voters Act allowed everyone apart of the military (men and women) to vote and the Wartime Elections Act allowed women to vote on behalf of male relatives. When Canada joined the Great War, we were not prepared at all due to Britain's impulsive accompany with the country. For that matter, Canada was forced into war.
Before war, Canada’s “tinpot navy” had 350 sailors and 2 warships (the Niobe and the Rainbow). When Canada first entered the First World War in August 1914. Within two months, Canada sent a contribution of 30,000 men. As the great world war continued, Robert Borden managed to get 100 000 more volunteers. He had Sam Hughes lead the military and Borden provided them with weapons, ammunition, uniforms and food. Although the weapons and the uniforms were not the best, they got the job done and saved Canada money. While some were off the war, Robert had to get the rest of Canada into “war mode”. Since Canada had to provide food for the Canadian and British military, Borden had to make sure food at home was not going to waste. Everyone had to stretch the life of their food and find ways to preserve them so that they are good for a longer period of time and the army would be able to eat. Although war came as a surprise, Robert Borden displayed phenomenal leadership by organizing a strong military and getting Canada into "war mode" quickly. As a result, Canada was a part of the winning side of
war. As World War One came to an end, Canada was perceived as a more independent country rather than one of Britain's colonies. Robert Borden's profound and intellectual guidance was the asset to this result. Post world war, Borden demanded and received a seat at the Imperial war cabinet, the peace conference, and Canada was eligible to sign the treaty of Versailles on their own.
After World War One, Canada was seen as more independent country due to their amazing efforts during the war. Canada was able to win many important battles such as Ypres, Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, and Amiens. The battle of Vimy Ridge was a major battle for Canada because Canadian troops were able to do what other countries could not do, capture the “pimple” successfully. After the Great World War, Robert Borden believed Canada should have a seat at the Imperial War Cabinet due to the success Canada had during war; so, he demanded a seat and received it. He also believed Canada should be represented at the Peace Conference so due to him taking initiate and making it happen, Canada received a seat at the Peace Conference and signed the Treaty of Versailles on its own. Post world war one, The League of Nations (An organization which promises to end the evil of war) was established due to Treaty of Versailles. Due to Robert Borden pushing for Canada to be seen as independent, Canada was able to join the League of Nations as an independent country. He was also able to established being allies with the US
“The world has drifted far from its old anchorage and no man can with certainty prophesy what the outcome is” – Prime Minister Borden Sir Robert Borden was a remarkable Prime Minister because he encouraged women rights, he led Canada through World War One and he helped Canada gain greater independence.