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Treaty of Versailles
With the negotiations of peace in 1918, Canada maneuvered itself into the negotiations receiving 2 representatives.(Cook 142) Borden thought this wartime contribution would help with Canadian autonomy-although that is not the case.(Cook 147) -
Winnipeg Strike
Veterans had lost so much of their employment and with the violence erupting, much of the brotherhood and common bonds had been lost.(Cook 150) This strike shows the depth that Canada was in economically after WW1 and how unemployment led to severe tension. -
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King's First Term
After winning his first election in 1921, King sought to have a very controlled and "reserved government".(Cook 175) With a third of the budget going to paying war debt, King was cautious to pay it off too quickly and slowly move the country forward. it was at this time in which King became cautious of intervening internationally.as he saw Imperialists as the people who got Canada involved in war initially. This set the stage for Canada's positon in intenrational poltics leading up to WW2. -
Chanak Crisis
This crisis consisted of Turkey defeating Greek forces pushing towards the British in the lands of which they had fought in Gallipoli.(Cook 176) The British expected many to follow and engage militarily, however, King decided not to even with the opposition of Arthur Meighan raising up and quoting Laurier's call to war "ready, aye, ready".(Cook 177) By standing up to the British and the opposition, King showed that he was in charge and that no war would be fought without debate first. -
1923 Imperial Conference
The Imperial Conference was used in the past to bring back the ties of empire and to show former colonies the glory of Britain. King used this time as a way to show dominance and autonomy apart from Britain. He said that all issues would be decided by the parliament and not by Britain.(Cook 178) The British and others saw this as not a pledge but him trying to find "wiggle room" and that he embraced contradictions.(Cook 179) However, King did carve out his policy clearly- one of autonomy. -
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The Dirty 30s
In the first half of the 30s, Prime Minister Bennet attempted to push money into society to help relieve poverty brought on by the Great Depression. All of this was "sopped up in the poverty sponge, with little effect."(Cook 190) This along with a failed attempt to lower tariffs with the British to stimulate trade,(Cook 191) brought feelings in Canada that Bennet was not being an affective PM. It was in this ordeal that King was re-elected in October of 1935. -
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King Returns to the Collapse of the League of Nations
With the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 by Japan, the election and rise to power of Hitler in 1933, and the Rise of Mousilini and invasion of Ethiopia in 1935(Cook 192), the Leauge was failing to keep a sense of peace in the world. Canada, much like the negotiations at Versailles, had little ability to have an impact on the situation.(Cook 193) Having little control, King was unable to immerse himself in this conflict because any favoritism would have led to war-something he wanted to avoid. -
1937 Imperial Confrence
This conference, right after the coronation of King George the VI, saw a more hurried atmosphere for all parties involved. King did not want to get involved with a common defense task and was not willing to commit an expeditionary force or munitions, which had been a major contribution during WW1 for Canada.(Cook 199) He naturally agreed with an appeasement strategy to avoid war at all cost.(Cook 199) -
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War Mobilization
During these years, there was a lack of military organization and arming on Canada's front. WIth very little Navy and Airforce, Canada was basically defenseless.(Cook 203) King even put a cap on military spending since he believed the war would not be an issue as he believed Hitler's promises.(Cook 203) With the frustration mounting in cabinet as well as in Britain, King did not allow Canada to properly prep for war even though he admitted that Canada would likely follow Britain if war came. -
Allies with the United States
With Canada turning away slowly form Britain, King turned to the United States, wanting to, "choose the American road"(Cook 196) He is referring to of course the way that the United States was able to stay out of conflict and be peaceful. The two leaders also cemented a trade deal with lower tariffs and barriers dropped on agricultural goods and manufacturing.(Cook 197) Although the American hope was to lure Canada away from Britain, King did not want that but they formed a bond regardless. -
Munich Agreement
This agreement, long seen as a disaster was the last effort to appease Germany, although, at first people including Chamberlain and King were optimistic, it turned out to be ineffective. King had been wowed by Hitler in a visit to Germany in June 1937 where he believed that Germany had "no desire for war".(Cook 200) Hitler like others viewed King as weak although King stood by Britain saying that, "Canadians would swim the Atlantic for her."(Cook 200) War at this time was inevitable. -
Czechoslovakia
With Hitler entering Czechoslovakia on March 20th, the pacts and agreements made were now void. King went to the House of Commons and said that Canada would help Britain in the event of an air attack on London or if there was a threat of cross-channel invasion.(Cook 206) Canada began to see that they were going to war and that they could not let "Britain face Hitler's armies alone"(Cook 206) -
War
War was declared by Britain on Germany on September 3rd, 1939.(Cook 207) This was followed by Canada several days later. Many signed up due to the connection to Britain as well as a popular visit by the King and Queen months before war was declared.(Cook 208) King did hope for peace, citing Hitler's peaceful nature,(Cook 209) but it did not come to fruition.