Canada’s Road to Autonomy in the 1920s and 1930s: Canada’s Ongoing Battle to Achieve Full Independence from Great Britain

Canada’s Path to Autonomy 1920’s – major steps toward full autonomy “complete control over its own affairs” Different path than the United States Peaceful vs. Violent World War I was a major turning point for Canada.

What you will learn today Key Events that led to Canada’s freedom from Britain (known as Autonomy!) The significance of events contributing to national autonomy, 1) creation of the Canadian Corps in WWI 2) Paris Peace Conference/League of Nations 3) Halibut Treaty 4) King/Byng Crisis 5) Statute of Westminster

Road to Canadian Autonomy Began with: 1) Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF – Canadian Military) 2) CEF were not split up & integrated with British (rather, they fought as a Canadian Unit) 3) CEF Victories in Important Battles (Vimy Ridge, 100 Days Offensive) a) The successful role Canada played in WW1 allowed PM Borden to fight for Canada’s autonomy at the end of WW1

Next Big Step to Autonomy: Recognition on International Stage 1) Canada earned a seat at the Paris Peace conference (instead of being represented by Britain) 2) Canada signed Treaty of Versaille 3) Earned a seat in the League of Nations ** All 3 of these events recognized Canada as a independent country (instead of a colony of Britain)

1922: Chanak Crisis 1) British sent troops to Turkey because they feared Turkey might occupy the port of Chanak and attack Europe. 2) Prime Minister Mackenzie King told Britain they would not automatically send troops. ** This showed increasing independence from Britain. Canada begins to make their OWN decisions **

Road to Autonomy 1923: Halibut Treaty The first treaty negotiated by Canada, independent of Britain. Before this Canada had always turned to Britain to agree to any international agreements they made. When informed of the treaty, Britain wished to sign the treaty along with Canada, as it had in the past, **BUT Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King resisted. **He said the treaty was only a concern between Canada and USA

The King-Byng Crisis 1926 King = PM Mackenzie King Byng = Gov. Gen. Julian Byng vs. King Byng

King/Byng Crisis Controversy in 1925 election. PM Mackenzie King asked Governor General Byng to call another election. Gov. Gen. Byng refused. Eventually an election took place (1926) but only after non-confidence vote PM King told all Canadians it was UNDEMOCRATIC for a British Gov. Gen to not follow wishes of Canadian PM King WON…and since then NO Governor General has EVER acted against the wishes of PM

Road to Autonomy 1926: Imperial Conference & Balfour Report At Imperial Conference, all dominions (former colonies) requested Autonomy Lord Balfour (British) examined request & agreed Balfour Report: Acknowledged that dominions were autonomous from Britain. Governor General was simply a representative. Balfour report led to the Statute of Westminster

Statute of Westminster 1931: Statute of Westminster Recognized in law the Balfour report that had made Canada an autonomous nation at the Imperial Conference. Canada recognized as a commonwealth country completely free and sovereign.