Artifact 7 : Portrait of Henri Bourassa in July 1917 as it appeared on a mortuary card in 1952

Citation :

Portrait of Henri Bourassa in July 1917 as it appeared on a mortuary card in 1952. Photograph. Library and Archives Canada, Item ID number : 3191881. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=3191881&q=Henri%20bourassa&ecopy=c009092

Label :

This is a picture of Henri Bourassa, a key nationalist figure before, during, and after the Great War. Initially in support of Canada’s involvement in the war, he changed his mind after Prime Minister Borden decided on Canada’s participation in the war without the approval of the Parliament. He strongly disagreed with Conscription and advocated for Canada to cut ties with the imperialism of the United Kingdom. His ideas, notably promoting the recognition of French Canadian identity and interests, connected with people in Quebec. Indeed, he played a major part in the growth of a Quebec nationalist movement and became a symbol. However, in the rest of Canada, he was seen as a traitor and a potential menace to national unity and the war effort. His outspoken opposition to conscription and support of French Canadian rights deepened the political and cultural divide between French and British Canadians. He is a perfect representation of the divergent opinions and perspectives on the war within Canada and highlights the broader consequences and meanings of this internal conflict.

Bibliography :

Levitt, Joseph et al. “Henri Bourassa.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. January 16, 2008. Last modified December 3 , 2020. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/henri-bourassa

“Henri Bourassa”. Canadian War Museum. June 20, 2008. Last modified October 16, 2017. https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/people/canadian-leaders/henri-bourassa/#:~:text=Henri%20Bourassa%20was%20a%20leading,industry%20encouraged%20by%20the%20war.