6.3 Political Developments and the Rise of New Parties

The 1920s saw a shake-up in Canadian politics. New parties like the Progressives and United Farmers challenged the two-party system, while the labour movement gained ground. These changes reflected shifting social and economic priorities in the post-war era.

Labour unrest peaked with the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, showcasing worker discontent. The King-Byng Affair of 1926 tested constitutional limits. These events reshaped Canada's political landscape, setting the stage for future developments.

Rise of New Political Parties

Progressive Party and United Farmers

• The Progressive Party emerged in the early 1920s as a political movement advocating for social and economic reforms
• Progressives championed causes such as women's suffrage, prohibition, and greater government intervention in the economy
• The United Farmers was a political party that represented the interests of farmers and rural communities
• United Farmers advocated for policies such as tariff reduction, rural infrastructure development, and improved agricultural subsidies
• Both the Progressive Party and United Farmers challenged the traditional two-party system dominated by the Liberals and Conservatives

Labour Movement and Political Representation

• The Labour Movement in Canada gained momentum in the 1920s as workers organized to advocate for better working conditions and labor rights
• Trade unions and labor organizations, such as the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada, played a key role in advancing workers' interests
• Labour activists pushed for policies such as minimum wage laws, workplace safety regulations, and collective bargaining rights
• The growing strength of the Labour Movement led to increased political representation, with Labour candidates running in elections and winning seats in provincial and federal legislatures
• The rise of the Labour Movement challenged the established political order and brought working-class issues to the forefront of political discourse

Labour Unrest and Activism

One Big Union and Radical Labor Organizing

• The One Big Union (OBU) was a radical labor organization founded in 1919 that sought to unite all workers into a single, powerful union
• The OBU rejected the craft-based unionism of the American Federation of Labor and advocated for industrial unionism, where all workers in an industry would belong to the same union
• The OBU's radical ideology and militant tactics, such as wildcat strikes and direct action, challenged the more moderate approach of established labor organizations
• The OBU gained significant support among workers in Western Canada, particularly in industries such as mining, logging, and transportation
• The OBU's influence declined in the 1920s due to government repression, internal divisions, and the rise of more moderate labor organizations

Winnipeg General Strike and Labor Conflict

• The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 was a major labor dispute that involved over 30,000 workers in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba
• The strike began as a protest against poor working conditions, low wages, and the lack of collective bargaining rights
• The strike quickly spread beyond Winnipeg, with sympathy strikes and demonstrations occurring in other cities across Canada
• The striking workers faced opposition from the government, employers, and some segments of the public who viewed the strike as a threat to social order
• The strike was ultimately suppressed through a combination of police action, government intervention, and the use of replacement workers
• The Winnipeg General Strike had a lasting impact on the labor movement in Canada, highlighting the tensions between workers and employers and the challenges of organizing large-scale labor actions

Constitutional Challenges

King-Byng Affair and Constitutional Crisis

• The King-Byng Affair was a constitutional crisis that occurred in 1926 during the tenure of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King
• The crisis began when Governor General Lord Byng refused King's request to dissolve Parliament and call a new election after King's Liberal government lost a vote of confidence
• Byng instead invited Conservative leader Arthur Meighen to form a government, which lasted only a few days before losing another confidence vote
• The King-Byng Affair raised questions about the role of the Governor General and the extent of the Prime Minister's authority in a parliamentary system
• The crisis was resolved when King's Liberals won a majority in the subsequent election, effectively asserting the principle of responsible government

Mackenzie King and Arthur Meighen

• William Lyon Mackenzie King served as Prime Minister of Canada for a total of 22 years, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Canadian history
• King was a skilled politician who navigated complex political challenges, including the King-Byng Affair and the Great Depression
• Arthur Meighen was the leader of the Conservative Party and served briefly as Prime Minister in 1920-21 and again in 1926
• Meighen was a strong advocate for Canadian nationalism and a proponent of tariff protection for Canadian industries
• The political rivalry between King and Meighen shaped Canadian politics in the 1920s and highlighted the ideological differences between the Liberal and Conservative parties