Life in Canada in the 20s and 30s

Technology Many new inventions were made at the beginning of the 1900’s. By the time 1920 rolled around more and more of them were becoming accessible to a larger segment of the population as mass production increased.

The most significant inventions The radio/record player (recordable music) Telephone Automobile Airplane In groups of 3 How would our lives change without these items? Be sure to consider what other inventions they have inspired or made possible.

Canada’s Growing Autonomy -Autonomy- To decide and make up your own laws. -Canadians increasingly wanted to be seen as and have control over their own country. Why would Canadians more and more want to increase control over their own country during the 20’s and 30’s?

The Chanak Affair (1922) Britain wanted to keep the Dardanelles a neutral territory.

The British forces there were being threatened by Turkish forces. The British called on members of its empire to send troops in support. Instead of immediately sending troops Prime Minister Mackenzie King said he would need to consult Canada’s parliament. By the time the issue was debated in the house of commons the threat had passed.

Why was the Chanak Affair Significant It showed the world and particularly Britain that for the first time Canada would not automatically respond to Britain's call for military support. The Canadian parliament would decide what role Canada would play in foreign affairs not Britain.

The Balfour Declaration (1926) Countries that had formally been British colonies including Canada, Australia and New Zealand signed a formal report declaring them self governing nations equal in status to each other.

King-Byng Affair Several government officials had been implicated in illegal liquor smuggling. Mackenzie King was the leader of a minority government at the time. He went to the Governor General, Lord Byng and asked that the parliament be dissolved and elections held so that they could avoid the liquor smuggling scandal. The Governor General, who was appointed by the British government, refused. King saw this as British interference in Canadian politics.

King stepped down as he no longer had the support of the parliament. Lord Byng allowed the Conservatives led by Arthur Meighen to form a minority government. When it failed they allowed the Conservatives to call an election. King saw this as more interference by the British and pushed for more Canadian independence during his election campaign. Kings party won with a majority government and he immediately made changes to the role of the governor general.

The Statute of Westminster In 1931 the British parliament passed the statute of Westminster. It officially declared that Canada and other British commonwealth countries were in control of their relationships with other countries. This signalled full independence for Canada except in the case of changes to the Canadian Constitution and the need to use Britain's high court for appeals at the highest level.

Canada during the 1930’s King increasingly made it clear that Canada would not get involved in issues in other countries such as the Spanish Civil War. Canada needed to focus on its own problems. Politically and financially Canada was becoming closer to the United States then to Britain and Europe.