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The Growth of Canadian Independence

The Growth of Canadian Independence . Paris Peace Conferences and the Treaty of Versailles, 1919 As previously mentioned, Canada had gained its own seat at the League of Nations Canada also signed the Treaty of Versailles independently of Britain

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The Growth of Canadian Independence

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  1. The Growth of Canadian Independence • Paris Peace Conferences and the Treaty of Versailles, 1919 • As previously mentioned, Canada had gained its own seat at the League of Nations • Canada also signed the Treaty of Versailles independently of Britain • …step one of many ‘Canadian’ milestones on the international scale

  2. The Chanak Crisis, 1922 • 1922, British sent troops to Turkey as they feared that Turkey might occupy the British controlled port of Chanak • This would give Turkey access to Europe through the Balkans • PM Mackenzie made it clear that Canada would not send troops automatically in response to Britishideals • CAN would forevermore decide on their own before going to war. • First time CAN refused unconditional support for GB

  3. The Halibut Treaty, 1923 • Agreement signed between USA & Canada for the protection of Halibut on the coast of British Columbia and Alaska • Did not come into effect because the America Senate did not approve it • Even without the signing of this treaty, the process of how this was signed was another step towards Canadian autonomy in foreign affairs

  4. Halibut Treaty II • Against the protests of the British, this treaty was signed by a Canadian and his American counterpart • In the past a British official, usually the British Ambassador in Washington, had signed treaties like this. • When the British protested, PM Mackenzie King threatened to establish a fully independent Canadian ambassador in Washington. • This was just another example of Canada gaining it’s autonomy in foreign affairs one step at a time.

  5. The Imperial Conference, 1926 • Imperial Conference 1926 = 7th meeting of the prime ministers within the dominions of the British Empire. • It was here where Canada made it be know that they were in no way subordinate (lower in rank) than Britain. • Key Point of this conference came as a result of the Balfour Report; this acknowledged that the dominions were autonomous (independent) communities within the British Empire. • The term "Commonwealth" was officially adopted to describe the community. • CAN Governor General was only a representative of the British monarch • It was said after this conference that Canada was now “a colony [that] had become a nation”

  6. The Statute of Westminster, 1931 • This Statute recognized in law the report that made Canada an autonomous dominion of Great Britain at the 1926 Imperial Conference. • Specified that dominions could make their own laws. • December 11, 1931 Canada officially became a sovereign state as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations • Established as an association of free and equal states, membership was based on common allegiance to the British Crown

  7. Next: The Birth of Trade Unions • Some history for you…. • 1917, a group of communists in Russia – the Bolsheviks – overthrew the government in a violent revolution. • Bolsheviks around the world encouraged workers around the world to join in this revolution. • Believed that everyone in a community, including the workers, should own and control the production and distribution of goods. This should not go to the factory owners alone…

  8. Fight the Communists • After returning from the War, some of the Canadian soldiers were sent back overseas to Siberia to help fight against the Communists in the Russian Civil War. • Canadians feared the spread of Communism, and did not want to see the Bolsheviks win the war. • In particular, Canadians feared that by joining trade unions, this may lead to a communist revolution. • Referred to as the Red Scare, Canadian officials began to look for Communist literature at the borders, if someone was in possession of the literature, they were sent to prison.

  9. Canada + Communism = No Thanks • The spread of communism did not make its way to Canada, the idea of workers joining together to demand better working conditions did. • In 1919, workers in Canada did not have employment insurance, compensation for injuries on the job, or pensions. • Workers grouped together to form trade unions in order to gain improved housing, job training programs, and higher pay. • The cost of living had risen in CAN post WWI; everything was more expensive, yet people were not making more money than they had pre-WWI

  10. The Winnipeg General Strike, 1919 • Chain of events that caused this event: • Canadian workers joined trade unions, labour law in Canada did not compel (force) employers to bargain with employee representatives – known as collective bargaining. • To get their demands heard, workers organized themselves into unions, this meant all members of a union had to “tow the company line” • Unions organized strikes, meaning they refused to work unless changes were made – this was known as walking off the job.

  11. Winnipeg Strike II • Workers believed that standing together would bring them their wage demands and a shorter work day. • Winnipeg: • Building and Metal Trades Union went on strike. • Asking for decent wages ($0.85 per hour) • Shorter work days (8 hrs) • Right to collective bargaining (as a group) • Better working conditions

  12. Winnipeg Strike III • So, 1919 30,000 workers walked off the job in Winnipeg. • This was followed by “sympathy strikes” in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. • In Winnipeg the strike quickly spread from industry to industry, becoming a general strike – all services soon shut down. • Stores and factories closed, there was no public transportation, garbage pick up, postal service, telephone operators, or fire protection. • To some this had the markings of a potential communist revolution…

  13. Winnipeg Strike IV: The Response • Officials in Winnipeg banned all parades and demonstrations. • The Canadian Government made changes to the Criminal Code: • Any person who was born outside of Canada and who was suspected of trying to cause a revolution could be arrested and deported without a hearing or trial • CAN government also sent military to Winnipeg, armed with machine guns • Royal Northwest Mounted Police raided the homes of Union leaders, arresting 10 strike leaders

  14. Winnipeg Strike V: Violence Erupts • June 21, 1919 • Parade gathering of people protesting the arrest of strike leaders • The crowd overturned a street car during the protest, setting it on fire • The Mounted Police charged thecrowd, killing one man • 30 injured, 100s arrested • Known as “Bloody Saturday”

  15. Winnipeg Strike VI: The Results • Soon after Bloody Saturday, the Strike Committee ordered the workers back to their jobs • Many families never recovered from their losses during the strike (financial); some workers found that they did not have a job to go back to. • Some Success: attention was drawn to the social and economic problems faced by people. • Labour leaders became more involved in politics, pro worker political parties were established • Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in 1961, which then became the NDP • Socialist roots…

  16. Winnipeg General Strike: Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDXOOX-DpGI • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcJhVLUPTDo

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