Born: June 26, 1854
Died: June 10, 1937 Place of Birth: Grand Pre, Nova Scotia
Major Notes:
Robert Borden demonstrated his intellect early and, at age 14, was appointed "Assistant School Master" at Acacia Villa Academy, the school he
was attending at the time.
In 1872, he moved to Matawan, New Jersey, to take a teaching position but returned to Nova Scotia only two years later to study law.
He studied law in a legal office rather than a university.
It was here that he became interested in politics under the influence of the Charles Tupper family.
Borden was first elected in 1896 to the House of Commons and in 1901 he became leader of the Conservative party.
He spent ten years rebuilding the Conservatives before being elected as Prime Minister in 1911.
The first federal income tax act was introduced by Borden.
When World War I broke out in 1914, Borden began to be involved in a number of controversial political moves including
his decision to introduce Conscription as Canadian forces needed reinforcement.
Conscription divided the country in addition to the political parties themselves.
Borden was forced to organize a coalition of the Liberal and Conservative pro-conscription advocates and they became known as
the "Unionist" government.
He insisted Canada have a full say in the development for a peace accord after the end of the war.
Borden also played an active part in the formation of the League of Nations.
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