|
1929 Crash | Economic Slowdown
| Bennett in Power |
The Ottawa Conference |
Prairie Drought |
Relief |
The Regina Riots | Alberta &
Bible Bill | Statute of
Westminster | Woodworth & the CCF
| The Union Nationale |
Relief Camps |
Bennett's Conversion |
King's Return |
European Unrest |
Royal Visit
In March of 1939 the Germans occupied
most of the remaining areas of Czechoslovakia and the
policy of appeasement lie in ruins. Europe now knew that
Hitler would not be satisfied with what he had already
swallowed up and that war was likely in the near future.
Only a few years before when Mackenzie King had attend
the Imperial Conference in London, the wheels had been
set in motion for a Royal visit to Canada by King George
the VI and the Queen. A monarch had never visited Canada
before and it was felt that this tour might strengthen
already strong bonds between Canada and England.
By the time the tour started ,
preparations were being made to resist Hitler's next
targeted victim, Poland. King George and Queen Elizabeth
arrived in Quebec City on May 17, 1939 on the Canadian
pacific vessel the RMS Empress of Australia. They
quickly won over r the French Canadian population in
Quebec with their fluent French and grace and charm.
They then travelled to Ottawa where Queen
Elizabeth laid the cornerstone for the new Supreme Court
of Canada building. King George participated in the
dedication of the War Memorial across form the
Parliament Buildings and then the Queen completely won
over the large crowd of war veterans by walking among
them and conversing. They crossed the street to the
Parliament buildings and the King gave Royal assent to
several bills in his position of official Head of state
or Canada. One
of the main themes of the Royal visit was the role that
the George and Elizabeth were to play as the King and
Queen of Canada which the Act of Westminster in 1931 had
established. This was to demonstrate the independence of
Canada from Great Britain as it's own kingdom. The
couple then continued their tour across the country and
won over the crowds wherever they went. The tour became
the highlight of the decade and when they left for the
United States on June 7th to visit until the 10th, it
was as the King and Queen of Canada that they officially
made their visit.
The effects of the visit resounded
throughout the fabric of Canadian society and as was
clouds loomed it served to not only pull the members of
the Commonwealth together in preparation for a common
cause and a common front, but it was also intended to
persuade the United States that their interests also lie
with the Greta English speaking nations and the free
democracies of Europe against the Axis of fascism
aggressively expanding in Europe. The tour was a great
success on all fronts. |
