Transcript Unit 1 – Review – Trivial Pursuit

Unit 2 – History
•
You and some friends want to plant a tree as a memorial to fallen World War 2
veterans in the Frontenac courtyard.
•
Your idea is not supported by the majority of students. Many students would rather
spend the money on a school dance.
•
You form a committee of both groups to try and reach a solution.
•
During this time, one of your friends is discovered spending the money on licorice
whips. A scandal occurs and respect for the committee falls.
•
You go to the President of Student Council asking her / him to seek the support of
the Principal for your idea. The role of the President is to serve as a liaison between
the school and the student body.
•
The President refuses your request. Instead, he instructs the other group to
organize a dance.
•
There is insufficient support for a dance, and the plan fails.
•
You believe the President does not really represent the students.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Unit 2 – History – Seeking Independence
King-Byng Affair
• In a 1924 federal election, the Conservative won
the most seats BUT with a minority.
• Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King was
a Liberal. He decided to retain power…even
though the Liberals had lost the election.
• King thought he could form a working alliance
between the Liberals and the Conservatives to
govern.
• In 1926, a scandal occurred within the Liberal
party. The Liberals gave a known bootlegger a
senior ministry position in Customs Canada
during Prohibition in the United States, and they
protected customs officers accused by the RCMP
of smuggling alcohol.
Unit 2 – History – Seeking Independence
• Without support of the public, Prime Minister King
could no longer govern effectively. He asked the
Governor-General of Canada Lord Byng to
dissolve the Canadian Parliament so a new
election could be held.
• At this time, the Governor General represented
BOTH the Canadian Government and the British
Government with the King of England. In effect,
the Canadian Government needed the approval of
the British Government to change laws or
dissolve the Canadian parliament.
• NOTE - By tradition, the Governor General did not
interfere in Canadian political affairs.
• Was Canada a truly independent nation? Yes or
No. Support your idea.
Unit 2 – History – Seeking Independence
• Byng refused to dissolve the government
or consult the British Government.
Without review by the British
Government, the Canadian Parliament
could not be dissolved. Instead, Byng
instructed the Conservatives to form a
new government as a minority.
• Once in power, the Conservatives lost a
non-vote of confidence. The lost vote
required the Conservative Government to
resign.
• Canadians had to vote for a new
government.
• During the election, King accused Byng of
interfering in Canadian politics. In the
1926 election, King and the Liberals won a
clear majority
Unit 2 – History – Seeking Independence
• Prime Minister King was mad. He disliked
the power and control of the Governor
General.
• King decided to redefine the role of
Governor General as a representative to
the King of England through the Canadian
Government and NOT the British
Government. In this way, the Canadian
Government would control the right to
change Canadian laws AND report directly
to the King of England.
• The King - Byng Affair led to the 1931
Statute of Westminster establishing
Canada as a self-governing Dominion
within the British Empire.
Unit 2 – History – Seeking Independence
Statute of Westminster
• The Statute of Westminster was passed in
1931.
• The Statute gave the self-governing
Dominions of the British Empire complete
control of their laws. The Statute applied
to the Dominions of Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, the Irish Free State, South Africa
and Newfoundland.
• The British government could no longer (1)
directly make laws for the Dominions and
(2) dictate the foreign and military policy
for the Dominions.
• Canada had secured independence as a
nation on all fronts but one – Canada could
NOT alter or change its constitution
without British approval.