What was Robert Bordens significance in World War 1?
His efforts were a bit mixed. he outbreak of war in 1914 did not change the mood either. Borden’s government immediately offered a contingent, mobilized it with impressive speed, and shipped it to England in the largest convoy ever to cross the Atlantic to that time. Borden’s task was formidable. He had to organize the government for war, a task that was never really accomplished. He had to see to it that industry was geared up for maximum production, a task that was well done. Above all he had to galvanize the Canadian people, both French and English. This task was not accomplished; in fact, the reverse took place in Quebec. Few French-Canadian officers received important commands, patronage was rampant, and ethnic prejudice swept the nation. The whole crisis came to a head in 1917 when Borden decided that conscription was necessary to reinforce Canada’s troops at the front. Quebec was opposed to conscription, and after Borden’s efforts to unite with Laurier in a coalition failed, he
