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Canada, with its vast coastlines and significant merchant navy, initially relied on the protection of the Royal Navy as a Dominion of the British Empire. However, the early 20th century brought about a shift in thinking as nationalism grew, and international military tensions rose.
In 1906, the launch of the HMS Dreadnought by the Royal Navy revolutionized naval warfare. This all-big-gun battleship rendered all others obsolete and sparked a naval arms race among major powers, including Germany, challenging British naval supremacy. The need for a stronger navy became evident, leading to increased naval construction and financial demands.
While countries like Australia and New Zealand supported the British battleship program, Canada’s stance was divided. Political leaders like Robert Borden and Wilfrid Laurier had differing views on contributing to the Royal Navy. Laurier’s government eventually established the Canadian Naval Service in 1910, laying the foundation for the future Royal Canadian Navy.
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The establishment of the Royal Canadian Navy marked a significant step towards Canada’s naval defense, setting the stage for its future involvement in global conflicts like World War I and World War II.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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