1917 Canadian federal electionResults by electoral districtResults by province and territoryThe Canadian parliament after the 1917 electionThe 1917 Canadian federal election was held on December 17, 1917, to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 13th Parliament of Canada. Described by historian Michael Bliss as the "most bitter election in Canadian history", it was fought mainly over the issue of conscription (see Conscription Crisis of 1917).Liberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada (LPC; French: Parti libéral du Canada, PLC) is a federal political party in Canada. The Liberal Party espouses the principles of liberalism, and generally sits at the centre to centre-left of the Canadian political spectrum, with their main rival, the Conservative Party, positioned to their right and the New Democratic Party positioned to their left.
National Liberal and Conservative PartyThe National Liberal and Conservative Party was the name adopted by the Conservative Party of Canada in 1920 after the end of the Unionist government of Robert Borden. The Conservatives, led by Arthur Meighen, adopted the name in the hope of making permanent the war-time Unionist coalition of Conservatives and pro-conscription Liberals (known as Liberal-Unionists). Very few Liberals stayed with the party, and some Conservatives balked at the move.
William Lyon Mackenzie KingCanadian prime minister (1874–1950)Member of ParliamentIn officeAugust 6, 1945 – June 26, 1949Preceded byWilliam MacDiarmidSucceeded byWilliam MajorConstituencyGlengarryIn officeFebruary 15, 1926 – June 10, 1945Preceded byCharles McDonaldSucceeded byEdward LeRoy BowermanConstituencyPrince AlbertIn officeOctober 20, 1919 – October 28, 1925Preceded byJoseph ReadSucceeded byThomas Herbert LennoxConstituencyPrince (1919–1921)York North (1921–1925)In officeOctober 26, 1908 – September 21, 1911Preceded byJoseph E. SeagramSucceeded byWilliam George WeichelConstituencyWaterloo NorthPersonal detailsBorn(1874-12-17)December 17, 1874Berlin, Ontario, CanadaDiedJuly 22, 1950(1950-07-22) (aged 75)Chelsea, Quebec, CanadaResting placeMount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, OntarioPartyLiberalOther politicalaffiliationsLaurier Liberals (1917–1919)EducationUniversity of Toronto(BA, MA, LLB)University of Chicago(no degree)Harvard University (MA, PhD)SignatureKing speaking about his election campaign in 1937William Lyon Mackenzie King (December 17, 1874 – July 22, 1950) was the tenth prime minister of Canada for three non-consecutive terms from 1921 to 1926, 1926 to 1930, and 1935 to 1948.
Conscription Crisis of 1917Lead figuresSir Robert BordenSir Albert Edward KempSir Wilfrid LaurierHenri BourassaThe Conscription Crisis of 1917 (French: Crise de la conscription de 1917) was a political and military crisis in Canada during World War I. It was mainly caused by disagreement on whether men should be conscripted to fight in the war, but also brought out many issues regarding relations between French Canadians and English Canadians.
Coalition governmentA coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a government by two or more political parties that enter into a power-sharing arrangement of the executive. Coalition governments usually occur when no single party has achieved an absolute majority after an election. A party not having majority is common under proportional representation, but not in nations with majoritarian electoral systems.
Conservative Party of Canada (1867)The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada) was a major federal political party in Canada that existed under that name from 1867 before being renamed the Progressive Conservative Party in 1942. The party adhered to traditionalist conservatism and its main policies included strengthening relations with Great Britain, nationalising industries, and promoting high tariffs.
House of Commons of CanadaThe House of Commons of Canada (French: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body whose members are known as members of Parliament (MPs). The number of MPs is adjusted periodically in alignment with each decennial census.
CanadaCanada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the second-largest country by total area, with the longest coastline of any country. Its border with the United States is the longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions.
Member of parliamentA member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. Members of parliament typically form parliamentary groups, sometimes called caucuses, with members of the same political party. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members often have a different title.
World War IGlobal conflict from 1914 to 1918BelligerentsAllied Powers: France United Kingdom and Empire:Australia Canada Ceylon EgyptNewfoundlandNew Zealand India South Africa Russia (until 1917) Italy (from 1915) United States(from 1917) Japanand others ...Central Powers: GermanyAustria-HungaryOttoman Empire Bulgaria (from 1915)and others ...Commanders and leadersCasualties and losses 15–22 million deaths (military and civilian)World War I, or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers.
French CanadiansFrench Canadians, referred to as Canadiens mainly before the nineteenth century, are an ethnic group descended from French colonists first arriving in France's colony of Canada in 1608. The vast majority of French Canadians live in the province of Quebec. During the 17th century, French settlers originating mainly from the west and north of France settled Canada. It is from them that the French Canadian ethnicity was born.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.