The Birth of a Navy: The Role of Imperialism and Nationalism in the Creation of the Royal Canadian Navy, 1910-1914

Abstract

This thesis examines the early years of the Canadian Navy from 1910 to 1914. It argues that early twentieth-century imperialism and nationalism had a direct influence in shaping Canadian naval policy and the creation of the Canadian Navy. Using newspapers, diaries, political debates and campaign materials, this thesis illustrates how both the Liberals and Conservatives influenced naval policy through their respective understandings of imperialism. The Liberal naval policy reflects the influence of liberal imperialism; conversely, the Conservative naval policy was influenced by their tory imperialist understanding of imperialism. Unlike most conventional studies in naval history, this thesis uses the Canadian Navy as a vehicle to examine Canadian imperialism and nationalism in the early twentieth century. Contemporarily, Canadian citizens are divided over both national identity and military capabilities. This thesis explores the origins of these questions by highlighting both the creation of the Canadian Navy and Canadian identity.