The triangular Canadian-American-British relationship and the First World War, 1911-1921

• Main Author: Reddekopp, Randall William
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 1994
• Subjects: Canadian history|American history|International law|International relations|European history|History; Canada; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9519547

The First World War sparked a rising nationalism in Canada that dramatically altered its relationship with both its mother country, the United Kingdom, and its southern neighbor, the United States. The Great War influenced all facets of relations between the three nations. The north Atlantic triangle of nations experienced major internal and external changes. All three countries emerged from the war with different international status from that with which they had entered it. Canada, sensing a new self-confidence and worth from its great wartime sacrifices and its significant contributions to the peace conference, adopted a more independent approach to foreign policy. Frustrated by a lack of participation in British Imperial diplomacy, Canadians sought a new role for themselves on the world stage. This new Canadian nationalism established a trend towards a closer and often more subservient relationship with the United States. Canadians did not actively seek to abandon all ties to the British Empire, but the colossal forces of World War I moved them to speak their own minds and raise Canadian self-interests above those of the empire. Along with this new independence and international status, Canadians found themselves increasingly playing the role of mediator between the United States and Great Britain. The triangular nature of this relationship and the constant interaction of officials and diplomats of the three nations provides an excellent look at the impact of modern warfare on society. The premiership of Sir Robert Borden and the presidency of Woodrow Wilson ran roughly parallel to one another. Although David Lloyd George became prime minister in 1916, he had previously played a major role in Lord Asquith's government. All three men left office by the end of 1922, but not before making their marks on the diplomatic revolution that occurred in the decade of the Great War.