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 IndependenceStatute 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.