Canada: Peace Tower
"A memorial to the debt of our forefathers and to the valor of those Canadians who, in the Great War, fought for the liberties of Canada, of the Empire, and of humanity."
- Robert Borden
Canada Prime Minister
Peace Tower
Peace Tower
Overview
Construction: 1919 – 1927
Location: Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Architects: Jean-Omer Marchand, John Andrew Pearson
Architectural Style: Gothic Revival
Commissioned By: Parliament
Reason: After the devastating fire that destroyed almost the entirety of the parliament building complex, the Peace Tower was added on to the newly rebuilt Centre Block. It was named in commemoration of Canada’s commitment to peace.
Brief History: Lower and Upper Canada amalgamated to form the Province of Canada in 1841. Queen Victoria was requested to select a permanent capital in 1857, since the seat of government had constantly alternated between the two regions. She chose the lumber town of Ottawa. After the fire in 1916, a permanent home for the Parliament was rebuilt with the addition of the Peace Tower.
Peace Tower: Canadian Flag
Democratic Peace Theory
The Peace tower was constructed and named for Canada’s strong commitment to peace. Although several physical components of the building relate to the concept of democracy, there is a direct connection between the symbolic meaning of the building and the political concept. This link is the Democratic Peace Theory.
This theory proposes that democratic countries are more peaceful in their foreign relations compared to non-democratic countries. This idea dates back centuries; for instance, Immanuel Kent amongst other 18th century Enlightenment thinkers explored this particular concept of peace and democracy together. It is even often said that this proposition was a part of Western thinking for millennia as Spencer R. Weart in his work Never at War: Why democracies Will Never Fight One Another. Woodrow Wilson stated in 1917 how global democracy would serve as a pathway for global peace. Many others have contributed much research and work that further adds to the idea of the Democratic Peace Theory.
The Peace Tower serves as the vital symbol for democracy in Canada for many reasons, but one particular correlation that can be drawn is the Democratic Peace Theory. By devoting itself to peace through the erection of the Peace Tower, Canada also showcases its dedication to the fundamental political idea of democracy. As a colossal, towering building that is essential to the built environment of Canada, it contributes a sense of deep understanding and respect for democracy, embedded deep within not only its symbolic meaning but also physical structures.
Peace Tower Clock
The 60th anniversary of Canada as confederation in 1927 has been marked by a gift bestowed upon Canada by the United Kingdom. This particular feature of the Peace Tower has remained constant over the years. Although the original mechanism within the clock, created by British clockmakers, is no longer functional, the meaning behind the surface of the clock remains the same: it stands for the beginning of Canada’s road to being a democratic nation.
During various conferences, such as the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences, a constitutional framework was created for the new country. This constitution involved deciding the form of government Canada would take, which was a Constitutional Monarchy. This form of government is a type of democracy. The government would have a central Parliament with three separate but connected portions, including the Monarch, Senate and the House of Commons.
The clock of the Peace Tower is a clear representation of the confederation when the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia joined and created a country. This leads into how Canada truly started to function as a democratic nation. Therefore, the clock not only celebrates the Confederation but also the democratic principles embedded within the newly created constitution.
Peace Tower: Clock Face
