Canadian Autonomy in the Interwar Years: 1.League of Nations 2.Chanak Crisis 3.Halibut Treaty 4.Balfour Report 5.Statute of Westminster 6.King-Byng WingDing 1.League of Nations 2.Chanak Crisis 3.Halibut Treaty 4.Balfour Report 5.Statute of Westminster 6.King-Byng WingDing From a Colony toward a Country…

1. League of Nations  Canada gets her own seat at the League.

A Flag for Canada!!

2. Chanak Crisis  WWI is over but British troops are still in Chanak, which is near the Dardanelles  British were being threatened by Turkish nationalists  British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill appealed to the dominions for aid  Before the telegram from Churchill could be decoded, King was informed by the press  King, who opposed imperialism, had no desire to be dragged into another overseas conflict  He argued that Parliament should decide Canada ’ s role  By the time Parliament debated the issue, the conflict was over.  This showed that King strongly supported Canadian autonomy from Britain  WWI is over but British troops are still in Chanak, which is near the Dardanelles  British were being threatened by Turkish nationalists  British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill appealed to the dominions for aid  Before the telegram from Churchill could be decoded, King was informed by the press  King, who opposed imperialism, had no desire to be dragged into another overseas conflict  He argued that Parliament should decide Canada ’ s role  By the time Parliament debated the issue, the conflict was over.  This showed that King strongly supported Canadian autonomy from Britain

Sure, but where is it??? Sure, but where is it???

Did you know…  Chanak is the closest urban centre to the ancient city of Troy

3. Halibut Treaty  During the 1920 ’ s, Halibut were in decline as a species  Canada and US signed the Halibut Treaty which was designed to protect the Pacific Halibut fishery  When they learned of the treaty negotiations, Britain wanted to sign the treaty along with Canada but King refused  Until this time, Britain had always ratified international agreements that Canada made so this was a first  This also set a precedent for independent treaty signing authority, and paved the way for further Canadian autonomy  During the 1920 ’ s, Halibut were in decline as a species  Canada and US signed the Halibut Treaty which was designed to protect the Pacific Halibut fishery  When they learned of the treaty negotiations, Britain wanted to sign the treaty along with Canada but King refused  Until this time, Britain had always ratified international agreements that Canada made so this was a first  This also set a precedent for independent treaty signing authority, and paved the way for further Canadian autonomy

Ummm…Halibut…

Imperial Conference 1923  These conferences were gatherings of government leaders from the British Empire  The conferences gave dominions the chance to air grievances and strive for autonomy  In 1923, King fought proposed plans for British foreign policy to become policy for all dominions  He was successful in blocking this proposal  Also, Britain formally recognized the treaty signing authority of dominions  These conferences were gatherings of government leaders from the British Empire  The conferences gave dominions the chance to air grievances and strive for autonomy  In 1923, King fought proposed plans for British foreign policy to become policy for all dominions  He was successful in blocking this proposal  Also, Britain formally recognized the treaty signing authority of dominions

5.Balfour Report Imperial Conference 1926  King did not argue for absolute independence, but rather for more autonomy  King was on a committee that drafted the Balfour Report  The report proposed that dominions be considered “ autonomous communities, … equal in status, …..members of the British Commonwealth ” (This term replaced the word Empire)  This meant that Canada would no longer be considered subordinate to Britain  The Governor General became a representative of the queen instead of the British government  King did not argue for absolute independence, but rather for more autonomy  King was on a committee that drafted the Balfour Report  The report proposed that dominions be considered “ autonomous communities, … equal in status, …..members of the British Commonwealth ” (This term replaced the word Empire)  This meant that Canada would no longer be considered subordinate to Britain  The Governor General became a representative of the queen instead of the British government

6. Statute of Westminster  Independence!!!  Formally accepted the recommendations of the Balfour Report  British Empire became a Commonwealth with this Statute.  However, the power of Constitutional amendment was still in Britain.  Independence!!!  Formally accepted the recommendations of the Balfour Report  British Empire became a Commonwealth with this Statute.  However, the power of Constitutional amendment was still in Britain.

The Statute

4. King – Byng Crisis  DingDing here we go…  In the British corner we have Lord Byng, War hero, Governor General and representative of the Queen; and  In the Canadian Corner we have Prime Minister King, the democratically elected leader of Canada.  In the archives… In the archives…  DingDing here we go…  In the British corner we have Lord Byng, War hero, Governor General and representative of the Queen; and  In the Canadian Corner we have Prime Minister King, the democratically elected leader of Canada.  In the archives… In the archives…

Time for Timelines  Your turn to work…old school. No computers just poster paper and imagination…yes imagination. It’s like an X-box or Playstation without the X-box or Playstation!! YAY Old School Fun!!!  Let’s Get It On!!!  Your turn to work…old school. No computers just poster paper and imagination…yes imagination. It’s like an X-box or Playstation without the X-box or Playstation!! YAY Old School Fun!!!  Let’s Get It On!!!