1920's+Canadian+Timeline

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1920's Timeline
What is a timeline? It is a series of dates that all have a common element or theme. We use timelines for peoples lives, a country's history or the progression of historical events. This timeline traces Canada's progression in dealing with it's increasing independence from Britain.

TIMELINE: Canada Forges a New Attitude
 1919: Canada becomes one of the original members of the League of Nations, formed as part of the Treaty of Versailles to prevent further wars and encourage international cooperation.

 1922: Canada's new prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, refuses to support Britain in a conflict with Turkey. He makes it clear that he wants a more independent foreign policy, and that Canada will no longer automatically stand alongside Britain.

 1923: Canadian officials negotiate and sign the Halibut Treaty with the United States on their own. King refuses to allow British officials to participate.

 1924: Parliament approves the use of a new flag. The Canadian Red Ensign replaces Britain's Union Jack on government buildings outside Canada.

 1926: Lord Byng, the Governor General appointed by Britain, refuses to allow Prime Minister Mackenzie King to call an election when the government begins to fall. Instead, he appoints Conservative leader Arthur Meighen as prime minister. Some see this move as British interference in Canadian affairs. Meighen's government lasts only days, and Canadians vote King and the Liberals back in. The incident becomes known as the King-Byng crisis.

 1926: King attends a conference in London, England, to discuss a report submitted by Lord Balfour, a former British prime minister. The Balfour Report recommends that Britain recognize the independence of former British colonies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

 1931: The statements of the Balfour Report become law in Britain in the Statute of Westminster. The law establishes complete legal equality between the parliaments of Britain and Canada. This is the closest that Canada has ever come to declaring its independence.

Questions
1. Why do you think the King-Byng situation was called a "crises"? 2. Choose three events from the timeline that you think were most important in moving Canada toward independence. Justify your choices. 3. What significant inventions have been made during your lifetime? Name 3 if you can and describe why they're important. They don't have to be Canadian!