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‘Imperialism’
was a form of territorial, economic,
and cultural expansion practised on a
global scale by the great powers. During
the last quarter of the nineteenth century,
Britain and other nations colonized territories
in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere for strategic
and economic reasons. In Canada, support
for the British ‘Imperial idea’
and the need to protect the Empire was
strongest among Canadians of British
origin, who formed the majority of the
population.
While
professing attachment to the Empire,
successive Canadian governments sought
to avoid military commitments in support
of Imperial defence. Such commitments
might have damaged national unity, since
public opinion in French Canada believed
that participation in Imperial affairs
prevented Canada from achieving greater
autonomy.
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