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Canada’s Growing Autonomy

Canada’s Growing Autonomy. (independent control of its own affairs). 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. .

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Canada’s Growing Autonomy

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  1. Canada’s Growing Autonomy (independent control of its own affairs)

  2. 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.

  3. During WWI • Major contribution as a country • Key role in allied victories • New sense of national maturity • Canada had gained the right to sign the Treaty of Versailles as an independent nation. • Canada joined the League of Nations separate from Britain. (after WWI) • Canada was still a dominion of the British Empire though and Britain had the final say in foreign affairs.

  4. New Prime Minister • In 1921, Mackenzie King became Prime Minister. • He was determined to push for Canadian autonomy. • A number of events over the next 10 years provided him with many opportunities.

  5. (1) The Chanak Affair (1922) • Britain became involved in a conflict with Turkey at Chanak (small town that links the Aegean and Black Sea) • Turkey was on the losing side in WWI. They threatened to take control of the area. • Britain sent troops and ships and asked Canada for help if war developed. • PM King was convinced that Canadians did not want to be involved in a faraway European war again.

  6. Canada and the USA became more “isolationist” in the 1920’s and 30’s. • They did not want to become entangled in foreign conflict. • When Britain asked for help, the PM said Parliament would have to decide. • This was a huge change from WWI when Canada automatically joined. • PM King made it clear that Canada would determine its own foreign policy. • Britain’s interests were not always the same as Canada’s anymore.

  7. Do I Understand? • Autonomy? • Canada vs. USA path to autonomy? • Canada’s maturity during/after WWI? • Who became Prime Minister? • Where Chanak is? • Why Britain was involved with Turkey? • What Parliament is? • The change that has occurred in determining foreign policy?

  8. (2) The Halibut Treaty (1923) • Canada/USA came to an agreement on the fishing season for halibut in the Northern Pacific. • This matter was of no direct concern to Britain. • But Britain had always signed treaties on Canada’s behalf. • PM King insisted that it be between Canada and the USA only. • Eventually Britain agreed and Canada won the right to sign treaties with a foreign country on their own.

  9. (3) The King-Byng Crisis 1926 • King = PM Mackenzie King • Byng = Gov. Gen. Julian Byng vs. King Byng

  10. Canada had a minority government at the time. • PM King requested that another election be called early. • The only person who could grant this request was Byng. He refused it. • The PM accused Byng of ignoring the advice of the government. • The PM said that it was a breach of responsible government. • At the next Imperial Conference, PM King was determined to clarify the role of the Gov. Gen.

  11. (4) The Balfour Report 1926 • At the next Imperial Conference…. • PM King insisted that the agenda include discussions on… • - the powers of the dominions • - the relationship to each other • - the relationship with Britain

  12. Agreements were made and became known as the Balfour Report. • Dominions were declared “self-governing” • They were independent nations • They would no longer be called dominions of the B.E. • They agreed to remain part of the “Commonwealth of Nations”. • The Gov. Gen. would only be a representative of Britain and not an active agent. • Canada could deal directly with Britain and not through the Gov. Gen.

  13. (5) Foreign Embassies 1927/28 • In 1927, Canada opened its own embassy in the United States. • Vincent Massey became Canada’s first foreign diplomat. • In 1928, Canada opened embassies in France and Belgium.

  14. (6) Statute of Westminster 1931 • Dec 11th 1931 • British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster • This made the recommendations in the Balfour Report into law. • Canada was now completely self-governing. • Canada had its own laws. Britain could not make any laws for Canada.

  15. British parliament could no longer nullify laws in the Dominions. • Dominions could make their own extra-territorial laws. • British law no longer applied to the Dominions.

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