Canada’s Growing Autonomy

By sanjna.k

  • Boer War

    Boer War
    The first Foreign war Canada fought. This also marked the first time Canadian troops distinguished themselves in battle overseas. The war resulted in defeat for the British. This event brought Canada to victory and them to be independent, not being known as British subjects. This event divided up Canadians because of sending troops to Britain for help. Most Canadians didn't approve of that.

  • The Battle of Vimy Ridge

    The Battle of Vimy Ridge
    It is Canada’s most celebrated military victory, this was the first time Canada was known for its national pride and awareness.More than 10,600 Canadians were killed and wounded in the assault.Today an iconic memorial atop the ridge honors the 11,285 Canadians killed in France throughout the war who have no known graves.

  • Chanak Affair

    Chanak Affair
    The 1922 Chanak Affair was Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's first major foreign policy test. The king declined to provide Canadian military support to the Britain. This was a step to independence of Canada. At this time Canada was an independent member of the League of Nations.

  • The Halibut Treaty

    The Halibut Treaty
    The Halibut Treaty of 1923 was a Canadian-American agreement on fishing rights in the Pacific Ocean. This treaty had to have Britain on the table because of the amount of power. This was an important step towards the formation of Canada's right to separate diplomatic action. By the 20th century, Canada was struggling for greater autonomy from Britain.

  • The Balfour Report

    The Balfour Report
    The Balfour Report of 1926 stated that Britain and its Dominions were naturally equal to each other. It was a landmark document confirming Canada as a fully independent country, linked with Britain and the other Dominions through the Commonwealth.

  • The King-Byng Crisis

    The King-Byng Crisis
    The King-Byng Affair was a 1926 Canadian constitutional crisis pitting the powers of a prime minister against the powers of a governor general. The King-Byng Affair played a role in the Imperial Conference of 1926, which began to put legal substance behind the Balfour Report declaration.

  • The Statute of Westminster

    The Statute of Westminster
    This event was a British law clarifying the powers of Canada's Parliament and those of the other Commonwealth Dominions. It granted these former colonies full legal freedom except in those areas where they chose to remain subordinate to Britain. The sacrifice of the Canadian troops desired greater autonomy from the country.