Canadian Autonomy in the Interwar Years:

1. League of Nations2. Chanak Crisis3. Halibut Treaty4. Balfour Report5. Statute of Westminster6. King-Byng WingDing

1. League of Nations2. Chanak Crisis3. Halibut Treaty4. Balfour Report5. Statute of Westminster6. King-Byng WingDing

From a Colony toward a Country…

1. League of Nations1. League of Nations

Canada gets her own seat at the League.

Canada gets her own seat at the League.

A Flag for Canada!!A Flag for Canada!!

2. Chanak Crisis2. Chanak Crisis WWI is over but British troops are still in Chanak,

which is near the Dardanelles British were being threatened by Turkish

nationalists British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill

appealed to the dominions for aid Before the telegram from Churchill could be

decoded, King was informed by the press King, who opposed imperialism, had no desire to

be dragged into another overseas conflict He argued that Parliament should decide

Canada’s role By the time Parliament debated the issue, the

conflict was over. This showed that King strongly supported

Canadian autonomy from Britain

WWI is over but British troops are still in Chanak, which is near the Dardanelles

British were being threatened by Turkish nationalists

British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill appealed to the dominions for aid

Before the telegram from Churchill could be decoded, King was informed by the press

King, who opposed imperialism, had no desire to be dragged into another overseas conflict

He argued that Parliament should decide Canada’s role

By the time Parliament debated the issue, the conflict was over.

This showed that King strongly supported Canadian autonomy from Britain

Sure, but where is it???

Sure, but where is it???

Did you know…Did you know…

Chanak is the closest urban centre to the ancient city of Troy

Chanak is the closest urban centre to the ancient city of Troy

3. Halibut Treaty3. Halibut Treaty During the 1920’s, Halibut were in decline as a

species Canada and US signed the Halibut Treaty which was

designed to protect the Pacific Halibut fishery When they learned of the treaty negotiations,

Britain wanted to sign the treaty along with Canada but King refused

Until this time, Britain had always ratified international agreements that Canada made so this was a first

This also set a precedent for independent treaty signing authority, and paved the way for further Canadian autonomy

During the 1920’s, Halibut were in decline as a species

Canada and US signed the Halibut Treaty which was designed to protect the Pacific Halibut fishery

When they learned of the treaty negotiations, Britain wanted to sign the treaty along with Canada but King refused

Until this time, Britain had always ratified international agreements that Canada made so this was a first

This also set a precedent for independent treaty signing authority, and paved the way for further Canadian autonomy

Ummm…Halibut…Ummm…Halibut…

Imperial Conference 1923Imperial Conference 1923 These conferences were gatherings of

government leaders from the British Empire The conferences gave dominions the chance

to air grievances and strive for autonomy In 1923, King fought proposed plans for

British foreign policy to become policy for all dominions

He was successful in blocking this proposal Also, Britain formally recognized the treaty

signing authority of dominions

These conferences were gatherings of government leaders from the British Empire

The conferences gave dominions the chance to air grievances and strive for autonomy

In 1923, King fought proposed plans for British foreign policy to become policy for all dominions

He was successful in blocking this proposal Also, Britain formally recognized the treaty

signing authority of dominions

5. Balfour ReportImperial Conference 19265. Balfour ReportImperial Conference 1926

King did not argue for absolute independence, but rather for more autonomy

King was on a committee that drafted the Balfour Report

The report proposed that dominions be considered “autonomous communities,…equal in status,…..members of the British Commonwealth” (This term replaced the word Empire)

This meant that Canada would no longer be considered subordinate to Britain

The Governor General became a representative of the queen instead of the British government

King did not argue for absolute independence, but rather for more autonomy

King was on a committee that drafted the Balfour Report

The report proposed that dominions be considered “autonomous communities,…equal in status,…..members of the British Commonwealth” (This term replaced the word Empire)

This meant that Canada would no longer be considered subordinate to Britain

The Governor General became a representative of the queen instead of the British government

6. Statute of Westminster6. Statute of Westminster

Independence!!! Formally accepted the

recommendations of the Balfour Report

British Empire became a Commonwealth with this Statute.

However, the power of Constitutional amendment was still in Britain.

Independence!!! Formally accepted the

recommendations of the Balfour Report

British Empire became a Commonwealth with this Statute.

However, the power of Constitutional amendment was still in Britain.

The StatuteThe Statute

4. King – Byng Crisis4. King – Byng Crisis DingDing here we go… In the British corner we have Lord Byng, War

hero, Governor General and representative of the Queen; and

In the Canadian Corner we have Prime Minister King, the democratically elected leader of Canada.

In the archives…

DingDing here we go… In the British corner we have Lord Byng, War

hero, Governor General and representative of the Queen; and

In the Canadian Corner we have Prime Minister King, the democratically elected leader of Canada.

In the archives…

Time for TimelinesTime for Timelines

Your turn to work…old school. No computers just poster paper and imagination…yes imagination. It’s like an X-box or Playstation without the X-box or Playstation!!

YAY Old School Fun!!! Let’s Get It On!!!

Your turn to work…old school. No computers just poster paper and imagination…yes imagination. It’s like an X-box or Playstation without the X-box or Playstation!!

YAY Old School Fun!!! Let’s Get It On!!!