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Politics in the 1920’s. The King-Byng Affair. Prohibition. What is prohibition? It is a “law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages.” In 1924, it was pretty much a lost cause in Canada. Why? Quebec never supported it Prohibition was unpopular with voters
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Politics in the 1920’s The King-Byng Affair
Prohibition • What is prohibition? • It is a “law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages.” • In 1924, it was pretty much a lost cause in Canada. Why? • Quebec never supported it • Prohibition was unpopular with voters • The government could make money by taxing the sale of liquor
Prohibition (cont’d) • However, the US maintained prohibition until 1933. • Lots of liquor flowed into the US from Canada; illegal runners of alcohol were sometimes called “rumrunners”. • Prohibition did reduce alcohol consumption by about 80 percent. • However, it caused tension between US and Canada, as well as a wave of crime.
1925 Election • In 1925, William Lyon Mackenzie King was Prime Minister. • King was leader of the Liberal party. • 1925 was an election year. The two other parties were the Conservatives, led by Arthur Meighen, and the Progressive Party. • The election was held on October 29, 1925. What were the results?
1925 Election (cont’d) • Liberals – 99 seats • Conservatives – 116 seats • Progressives – 24 seats • The Liberals had the support of the Progressives. Consequently, King was still Prime Minister, but he only had a minority government.
King Loses Progressives • In 1926, the Conservatives accused the Liberals of taking bribes from rumrunners. • The Progressives withdrew their support for King. • On June 25, 1926, King went to the Governor-General.
Byng • No, not that Bing. • Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy Bing?
The Controversy • King asked Byng to dissolve the government, so there could be another election. • Byng said, “No.” • King sent a letter to Byng, saying that he would resign if Byng refused his request. • Byng still said, “No.” • So, King resigned. • Who became the new prime minister then? • This guy!
Meighen’s reign • On June 29, 1926, Arthur Meighen became Prime Minister. • Meighen lost a vote in Parliament, however, and Byng dissolved the government, forcing an election. • The Progressives were behind King again, and on September 25, 1926, the Liberals won a majority government.
The King-Byng Wing Ding • At the time, much was made of Byng’s controversial decision to refuse King. • Many historians now agree, however, that Byng did the only thing he could have. • When King asked Byng to dissolve the government, it had only been 8 months since the last election. • When Byng left Canada 5 days after the election (Sept. 30, 1926), he was well respected.
The End Or is it???
Timeline of Events • 1924 – Prohibition is all but gone in Canada • 1925, October 29 – General election held in Canada where the Liberals win a minority government • 1926 – Conservatives accuse the Liberals of taking bribes from rumrunners • 1926, June 25 – King goes to Byng and asks him to dissolve government, but Byng says no. • 1926, June 29 – King resigns in protest, and Arthur Meighen becomes Prime Minister. • 1926, September 25 – Another election is held, and the Liberals win a majority government, and King becomes prime minister again. • 1926, September 30 – Byng leaves Canada and returns to Britain. • 1933 – Prohibition ends in the United States
