Mackenzie King’s political prowess ended up causing the King Byng affair. Mackenzie King was a very knowledgeable man who at the time was regarded as Canada’s most educated Prime Minister due to his place of learning, Oxford University, and the PhD in economics he obtained from his time spent there. When the Conservatives who were led by Arthur Meighen won the elections of 1925 with a majority of the votes, Mackenzie King would have to use his knowledge with politics and people to recapture the office. Using his extensive insight in the workings of the political world. He would try defeat Arthur Meighen which would then cause the King Byng affair, by using his own enemies against him as seen in this quote, “King did the math. The twenty-four …show more content…
He wanted to remain as Prime Minister of Canada so badly he even took advantage of his “dear friend” the Governor General of Canada, which would begin the King Byng affair. The elected Governor General himself wasn’t much of a politician more a soldier than anything else, having been the First World War commandeer and the revered leader of the great victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. He even admits this himself saying so in this quote, “the Governor General told King that he was not a constitutional expert and he expected things to be more than a little difficult.” His wife even comments on how politically incapable both of them were saying to Mackenzie King, “Lord Byng is very good at keeping everything secret, that having been in military life, they were not into politics.” Mackenzie King took advantage of this and exercised his higher level of knowledge in this particular area on an unsuspecting Julian. Having told the Governor General of his decision to stay in power, the Governor General told Mackenzie king that he would not grant dissolution and another election, until Meighen had a chance at forming government. Unfortunately not having the knowledge to know he should have written this in ink to legally bind Mackenzie King to hearing this promise. Mackenzie King took this opportunity and stated publicly that the Governor General had given him no opinions. Leaving a hurt Governor General scrambling to save himself from looking like a fool who knew nothing of how to properly do his job, effectively causing the King Byng
Because of this, Alexander Mackenzie and liberals triumphed the election. However, John Macdonald was undaunted and won the election in 1878, he was for the ‘New nation Policy’. He never got to retire, at 76 years of age, he campaigned hard, and in 1891 he was using the slogan “The old Flag, The Old Policy, The Old Leader”. He won, but was exhausted, and sadly he died just 3 months later. John did leave an amazing legacy behind, 3 policy’s that launched Canada Confederation and the expansion of a number of provinces to Include Manitoba (1870), B.C. (1871), PEI (1873) and one of the first Canadian transcontinental railway (Canadian Pacific Railway) and the National Policy.
In fact, King was re-elected once more even after the war in the 1945 election. However, some can argue that King was a poor leader as he often took a long time to make decisions. For example, he held off the decision concerning the conscription issue until he had to deal with it in 1942, and even then, following the plebiscite supporting conscription, it was not implemented until 1944. On the other hand, King’s consideration of the French-speaking Canadians, and his sensitivity to what they wanted, is a quality of King’s; and thus, his indication of always trying to accommodate everyone, even the
Sir Wilfred Laurier was appointed leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in 1887, he achieved his first mandate in 1896. In the fifteen years he served, he achieved a series of policy initiatives that were designed to strengthen and preserved the federation. These include; the management of French and English relations, the expansion of the federation, a third continental railway, and economic reforms. Conflict between French and English has at different times in Canadian history placed undue stress on the federation. The ‘Manitoba School Question’ was one such event (Verrette 2006).
Arthur Meighen, lawyer, politician, businessman, prime minister of Canada (b at Anderson, Ont 16 June 1874; d at Toronto 5 Aug 1960). As MP, 1908-26; leader of the Conservative Party 1920-26, 1941-42; PM, 1920-21, 1926; and senator, 1932-41, Arthur Meighen was a prominent, controversial public figure for nearly 30 years. He was unequalled as a parliamentary debater, combining great knowledge of public business, a sharply analytical and critical mind, a gift for lucid extemporaneous speech and an aptitude for the adversarial
In the 1990’s many Canadians in certain regions of Canada were united and content with the current status of the country, however Canadians in other regions such as Western Canada and Quebec were dissatisfied with the country as a whole and even threatened referendum. In spite of this, referendum would not occur for two years into Chretiens first term as Quebec and the Bloc Quebecois would finally pursue referendum through a separatist movement in 1995. Chretien, as a French Canadian prime Minister would play a crucial role in the prevention of this separatist movement. His role in the prevention of this movement would prove to be his legacy as if he failed not only would the Canadian economy, political influence, and nationalism suffer but this would also open the door
I believe that this was the case because Harper wanted to strengthen ties with the United States, and war was a common ground. Strong ties with the United States would allow for Canada to grow its economy.
The Prime Minister, the Senate, the House of Commons—these are people who we Canadian citizens depend on to make educated and reasonable decisions for the future of Canada. Being in such positions of power, such politicians must think on behalf of all Canadians; we trust them not to abuse their authority for selfish personal desires. However, this has not always been the case throughout history. World War I required militaries to appoint many individuals to take power in order to face the sudden state of total war; since these decisions were made rashly, numerous officers proved to be egocentric individuals who abused power for their own desires. Through the use of irony, both Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and Kubrick’s Paths of
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien requested Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to prorogue parliament. Chrétien’s request was due to allegations regarding a sponsorship scandal surrounding the Liberal Party at the time. Much like MacDonald, his request was granted as well. After the period had ended, the investigations into the scandal continued. Chrétien would subsequently step down as Prime Minister a year
Canada is now known to be a diverse, multicultural, bilingual and inclusive nation largely as a result of his work. Pierre Elliott Trudeau also believed in an equal Canada for all, he is primarily the one to introduce rights and freedoms to the citizens of Canada. While some view Pierre Trudeau as impulsive, for enforcing the War Measures Act, Trudeau enacted this for the protection of Canadian citizens against radical extremist and his actions were more rational than impulsive for the situation that had suddenly occurred. Pierre Trudeau was one of Canada’s greatest Prime Minister’s, who’s impact fundamentally changed the course of the nation by introducing multiculturalism, for introducing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and for paradoxically upholding democracy by strong action during the October Crisis.
This of course included siding with the progressives who if Mackenzie wanted to capture the office would have to listen to their demands however bad it was for Canada, a willing participant or not. His unwillingness to see Arthur top him in anything political forcibly led Mackenzie King to gain the favor of the progressives, and in turn gave him yet another reason as to why he should hold on to the power of being Prime Minister and causing the King Byng affair. King absolutely loathed his nemesis Arthur Meighen. Kings hatred for Meighen prevented him
Murphy's significance can be seen as the result of her actions developed Canada into a well respected and enhanced country due to the influence she had on the 1930, Senator Cairine Wilson, would not have been selected as a Senator, if Emily Murphy did not persevere during the Person's Case. Due to Emily Murphy and her actions, Cairine Wilson had an massive impact on Canada as she dealt with prominent problems within society. Cairine Wilson's dealings improved the country and began to solve troubles within the public. Canada emerged as a country being known as just and fair since Cairine Wilson petitioned the problems she thought were outstanding.
Pearson was “a wonderful compromiser …he could bring together opposites” (Baldwin 31) which is what connects him and other great leaders together in leaving a great influence on their country. Then, there is the controversy between Diefenbaker and Pearson, which caused many doubts in Canadians towards Pearson’s choices/judgment. However, in the midst of those doubts Pearson managed to prove that he was the ideal leader for Canada by _____ ________________________________. In all, throughout Pearson’s political life despite the flaws and controversy, he indeed established unity in Canada by the skills he provided through the leadership we pay tribute to
William Lyon Mackenzie King, a man of glory, forever changed Canada’s constitution during the tumultuous nineteenth century and resolved all difficulties Canada faced on its way to becoming a strong, independent, and autonomous nation. His contributions and sanctions targeted all factors at the time and had interrelated effects on the construction of Canada. Unlike other Canadian politicians, King handled every crisis with thorough planning and achieved promising outcomes from unsolvable problems. It is without a doubt that King was the most influential figure in Canada’s development. His role in the autonomy, economic development, and social stability stands as solid evidence of the pioneering impacts he had on Canada’s advancement.
For a long time the debates had been going about how was the better prime minister of Canada. On the the top of most lists of best prime ministers are Mackenzie King and Sir John A. Macdonald. For example, according to the Expert Survey that was made in 2013 “Laurier came first, Macdonald second, and King third, but the difference in their overall scores was negligible”. Both prime ministers had a strong vision of the country that helped shaped Canada to become the country it is today(in 2015). Thesis: Sir John A.Macdonald was one of the founding fathers, but William Lyon Mackenzie King had to lead the country through the part of Depression and WWII, and they both have made different positive contributions to Canada and are highly respected
Macdonald applied these 3 traits; "Know your enemy—and learn about his favorite sport.", "Lead from the back—and let others believe they are in front." and "Lead from the front—but don’t leave your base behind." John Macdonald had to deal with a lot of rebels who were out to get him. The way he dealt with them is appeal to them which gained him their support. He was very humble when it came to being Prime Minister. It didn 't go to his head.