Canadian Identity

During the 1920s

Canada’s Growing Independance

During the 1920’s, Canada took some important steps towards full autonomy (control over its affairs) from Britain

1922 – The Chanak Affair

Britain and Turkey in a dispute over a strait

Britain asks Canada for troops

We refuse until Parliament could vote on it

1923 - The Halibut Treaty

Canada and US sign treaty over Halibut fishing

Britain had always signed on behalf of Canada

1926 - The King-Byng Crisis

Governer General Byng refused PM Mackenzie King’s request to dissolve Parliament

Mackenzie King determined to clarify role of Governor General

1926 - The Balfour Report

Canada had no longer a “Dominion of the British Empire”

Canada should be self governing and independent

Creates the Commonwealth of Nations

Canada no longer has to talk to Britain through the Governor General

1927 - New Foreign Embassy

Canada opens its own embassy in the US

1931 - The Statute of Westminster

Made the recommendations of Balfour Report law

Canada bound by no other laws than its own

Canada is completely self-governing

So we see...

Canadians are turning away from British culture and attitudesCanadians start to see Canada as a distinct country, not just an extra part of BritainWe begin to express our own ideas in world affairs and mange agreements with other countries without British approval

I am Canadian!

Was this the start for Canada to develop our own unique culture?

Radio Broadcasting

Nearly 300,000 radios in Canada

But very few Canadian radio stations

By the end of the decade, less than 20% of what Canadians heard on the radio came from Canada

So what were Canadians listening to?

The Aird Commission

In 1928, the government appointed this royal commission to study the state of Canadian broadcasting

Eventually the report would lead to the formation of the Canadian broadcasting Corporation in 1936

Motion Pictures

Canadian Mack Sennett was a slient movie pioneer, with his Keystone Kops comedies, starring Charlie Chaplin

As silent films gave way to the “talkies”, many Canadian actresses made their way into Hollywood

Mary Pickford: America’s Sweetheart

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Automobiles

Ford Model T

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American Influences

Canadians are getting more and more influence from the US with consumer products, magazines, radio programs, movies, recorded music, and more

Has this trend continued?