Robert Borden

Robert Borden was Canada’s eighth prime minister, serving from 1911 to 1920. He led the country through the First World War and expanded federal authority and Canadian autonomy.

Conscription Crisis of 1917: A Canadian political crisis over compulsory military service during the First World War. Borden’s conscription policy split the country and helped drive his 1917 Union government.
Conservative Party of Canada: A Canadian political party founded in 1867, historically associated with federal conservatism and national unity. Borden led the party before becoming prime minister and governed under its banner until 1917.
Arthur Currie: A Canadian general who commanded the Canadian Corps during the final years of the First World War. Currie’s command gave Borden’s military policy a prominent Canadian leader on the Western Front.
Prime Minister of Canada: The head of government in Canada, ordinarily the leader who commands confidence in the House of Commons. Borden exercised this office while Canada’s executive powers remained closely tied to Britain.
Military Service Act, 1917: Canadian legislation that authorized compulsory military service during the First World War. Borden’s government enacted the law to secure reinforcements for the Western Front.
Wilfrid Laurier: A Canadian Liberal politician who served as prime minister from 1896 to 1911. Borden defeated Laurier in 1911 after campaigning against reciprocity with the United States.
Sam Hughes: A Canadian politician and militia minister who oversaw early wartime mobilization. Borden appointed Hughes minister of militia, then dismissed him amid disputes over wartime administration.
Canadian Corps: The principal Canadian field formation that fought on the Western Front during the First World War. Its expansion made recruitment and reinforcement central issues for Borden’s government.
Unionist Party: A Canadian wartime political coalition formed in 1917 by Conservatives and pro-conscription Liberals. Borden created this coalition to sustain conscription and win the 1917 election.
Canadian federal election, 1911: The Canadian general election in which Robert Borden’s Conservatives defeated Wilfrid Laurier’s Liberals. The election brought Borden to office after a campaign centered on reciprocity and national identity.

Linked from 5 pages