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In Canada, during most of the 20's, Mackenzie King of the Liberal party was our Prime Minister. What he is known for, is his push for Canada's independence from the British Empire. He felt that it was not right that Canada should have to go to the Queen of England first before a law could be passed. He wanted our country to be able to make it's own laws and decisions without the help of England. Over in Europe, word was spreading that Britain was going to war with Turkey. This was something that King did not want to be involved in if England did indeed do this. As long as Britain held on tight to Canada, Canada would have to go to war whenever England went to war. King hated this and wanted to abolish our strong ties to Britain.
He first demonstrated this in 1922 when he signed a fishing treaty with the US without notifying Britain. It was the first time that Canada had made a decision on her own.
He first demonstrated this in 1922 when he signed a fishing treaty with the US without notifying Britain. It was the first time that Canada had made a decision on her own.
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The King-Byng Affair
While King was protesting against our relations to Britain, Canada's Governor General, Lord Byng of Vimy, was fighting to keep the ties. Byng and King were known to not agree on many issues, and were constantly clashing and butting heads. One particular time, Byng disagreed with King when the Prime Minister wished to call on parliament to have another election so that he would have the chance to win a majority goverment which, at that time was not the case. When Byng stood up and said that he would not take part or support this motion, King used this against Britain saying that she had made him Prime Minister, and should therefore have her representative (Gov. General) respect his decisions. Canadians agreed with King and in the end he obtained what he had hoped, a majority government. Since that dilemma between King and Byng, no Gov. General has acted against the wishes of the Prime Minister. This main dilemma involving the Prime Minister and the Gov. General, was known as the King-Byng Affair and was an important issue marking the first real push towards Canada's independence.
While King was protesting against our relations to Britain, Canada's Governor General, Lord Byng of Vimy, was fighting to keep the ties. Byng and King were known to not agree on many issues, and were constantly clashing and butting heads. One particular time, Byng disagreed with King when the Prime Minister wished to call on parliament to have another election so that he would have the chance to win a majority goverment which, at that time was not the case. When Byng stood up and said that he would not take part or support this motion, King used this against Britain saying that she had made him Prime Minister, and should therefore have her representative (Gov. General) respect his decisions. Canadians agreed with King and in the end he obtained what he had hoped, a majority government. Since that dilemma between King and Byng, no Gov. General has acted against the wishes of the Prime Minister. This main dilemma involving the Prime Minister and the Gov. General, was known as the King-Byng Affair and was an important issue marking the first real push towards Canada's independence.
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The Balfour Report
In 1926, Four British dominions gathered together to write up a letter to Britain expressing their wish for independence and a legal split from their motherland, Britain. These four domains were Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. All "leaders" of these areas had the same idea, and all acted together to obtain the freedom that they felt was right. This was the right to freely govern themselves without constantly having to seek out Britain's approval to move forward. The man who looked over this was Lord Balfour, who was highly respected in England for his fine political advice. Both he and his special committee looked over the dominion's requests thoroughly. The letter from the dominions was later called the Balfour report as it was looked over mainly by him. 5 years later, in 1931, Lord Balfour decided that the request should be granted and later on the Balfour Report became law.
Though Canada was "technically" it's own country now, it did, however, still have a few ties to Britain. One of these being that the British North American Trading Act continued on in Britain as Canada's provincial and federal governments could not agree on a way of changing the Act. The other being that Canada's judicial court of appeal for Canadians remained in Britain until 1949.
In 1926, Four British dominions gathered together to write up a letter to Britain expressing their wish for independence and a legal split from their motherland, Britain. These four domains were Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. All "leaders" of these areas had the same idea, and all acted together to obtain the freedom that they felt was right. This was the right to freely govern themselves without constantly having to seek out Britain's approval to move forward. The man who looked over this was Lord Balfour, who was highly respected in England for his fine political advice. Both he and his special committee looked over the dominion's requests thoroughly. The letter from the dominions was later called the Balfour report as it was looked over mainly by him. 5 years later, in 1931, Lord Balfour decided that the request should be granted and later on the Balfour Report became law.
Though Canada was "technically" it's own country now, it did, however, still have a few ties to Britain. One of these being that the British North American Trading Act continued on in Britain as Canada's provincial and federal governments could not agree on a way of changing the Act. The other being that Canada's judicial court of appeal for Canadians remained in Britain until 1949.
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Prohibition
By 1920, buying and selling alcohol was illegal in all of Canada except for Quebec. Canadians were not very pleased and protested against this outrage. Some even went behind authority and sold liquor illegally to customers who were just dying to have a drink. The people who went about illegally selling "booze" were known as Bootleggers. In one particular case a doctor in Manitoba prescribed alcohol to a total of 5,800 patients in only one month for, so called, "medicinal reasons".
However, prohibition did not last very long in most provinces, and since the U.S.A's period of prohibition lasted quite a bit longer, Americans were coming up to Canada to buy their, still-illegal, liquor. Because of this, the tourism industry thrived and money was made. Canadians also saw the long Prohibition in the US as a great opportunity to make money. Since legally no one could sell liquor there, Canadians decided that they should supply it for them. A practice called rum-running came into play and huge amounts of liquor were transported by trucks and ships to America. The rum-runners were greatly admired by Canadians for their daring ploys and dangerous games as they slipped agilely through the fingers of the U.S Customs Bureau. Some were indeed caught, but others, who were not, out-numbered them and rum-running continued on until 1933 when prohibition came to a close in the U.S.
By 1920, buying and selling alcohol was illegal in all of Canada except for Quebec. Canadians were not very pleased and protested against this outrage. Some even went behind authority and sold liquor illegally to customers who were just dying to have a drink. The people who went about illegally selling "booze" were known as Bootleggers. In one particular case a doctor in Manitoba prescribed alcohol to a total of 5,800 patients in only one month for, so called, "medicinal reasons".
However, prohibition did not last very long in most provinces, and since the U.S.A's period of prohibition lasted quite a bit longer, Americans were coming up to Canada to buy their, still-illegal, liquor. Because of this, the tourism industry thrived and money was made. Canadians also saw the long Prohibition in the US as a great opportunity to make money. Since legally no one could sell liquor there, Canadians decided that they should supply it for them. A practice called rum-running came into play and huge amounts of liquor were transported by trucks and ships to America. The rum-runners were greatly admired by Canadians for their daring ploys and dangerous games as they slipped agilely through the fingers of the U.S Customs Bureau. Some were indeed caught, but others, who were not, out-numbered them and rum-running continued on until 1933 when prohibition came to a close in the U.S.