OPCVL

The origin of this speech is from the Prime Minister of Canada, Robert Borden, in the House of Commons in 1914. A value with
respect to origin is that Robert Borden was the Prime Minister at the time – the highest authority. This suggests that he would have
access to current and accurate information about the situation at hand and would also be an accurate representation of the
government position at the time. This gives an accurate representation of the viewpoints of the Canadian government under PM
Borden in the dawn of the First World War. The purpose of this piece is to convince the House of Commons to enter the First
World War. A limit in regards to the purpose is that he is trying to convince and some facts may be exaggerated to indicate the
more dire nature of the event. For example Borden asserts that, “to withstand forces that would convert the world’ is one of the
reasons to enter the war, a clear example of hyperbole. As the source is a speech, the goal is to convince and rally so the clear
embellishment of fact acts as a limit. The content of the source relates to the reasons Canada should support and enter the war.
With respect to content, a value is that the source clearly outlines the ideological rationale for Canada’s support as well Canada’s
relationship with Britain at the time. Borden declares that “we stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain”, which indicates a clear
affinity. This is a value because it provides specific information about the relationship the Canadian government has with another
powerful nation at the beginning of World War I.

This is an archived speech delivered by Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden on August 14 th, 1914 in the House of Commons. With
reference to origin, a value of this document for a historian is that it occurred in 1914 when the First World War was a current and
unfamiliar issue. It provides insight into the pre-war mind set before the effects of the war could be realized. The purpose of this
document was for Borden to declare his intentions regarding the support of the British Empire by Canadians and to encourage
continued support so Canadians do “not shrink” and will “fulfill the honour of Canadians”. A limit with respect to purpose is that
it provides a limited government perspective at it is designed to be convincing, lacking additional dimension. The content includes
information about Canada’s allies and the position Canada is taking on the war. Several ideological reasons for engagement are
included. For example the desire to uphold peace while acknowledging the sacrifices to come is a value as the content includes a
balanced analysis.

With respect to origin, a value of this source is that it is a speech made by the Prime Minister of Canada at the time of the First
World War. It gives insight into the thoughts and views of the Prime Minister on the beginning of, and support of the war. With
respect to purpose, a limit is that this speech was produced to inform and convince the people of Canada and the House of
Commons to participate in the war. As a result, the reasons provided may have been tailored to this end. With respect to content, a
value is the speech gives reasons for and goals of joining the war. For example, Borden states that the intention for joining the war
is for the cause of “honour”.

This is a speech given by Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada in the House of Commons in 1914. A value with respect to
origin is that it was written by Borden and this is a value because as Prime Minister he would have had intimate knowledge of what
Canada’s plan was. With respect to purpose, a limit is that the speech has the intention of getting those in the House of Commons
and the Canadian people to support the war. To achieve this Borden appeals to the emotions of the people he is trying to convince.
He does this by talking about “honour” and the principles of “liberty”. A value with respect to content is that the speech includes
why the war effort is important while also acknowledging that there will be challenges and sacrifice.

With regard to origin, a value is that the source is a speech from Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden given in 1914. This is a
value because it gives insight into what the Canadian leaders were thinking as the nation was on the brink of war. A limit with
respect to the purpose is that Borden’s speech was meant to persuade those in the House of Commons about the necessity of
supporting the British Empire at war. This is a limit as it means that he may have augmented certain ideas and left others out to aid
in this purpose. With respect to content a limit is the overemphasis on abstract ideological concepts. This is a limit because it
leaves the historian with an overly embellished and glamorized rationale for Canada’s support of the war, with little factual
supporting evidence.