Canada's Defining Moments.

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Canada’s Defining Moments

History Cumulative Essay

Throughout the twentieth century, Canada has developed as an independent, technologically advanced, and militarily equipped nation. The most defining moments in Canada's history include Canada’s growing autonomy, the invention of the Avro Arrow and Canada’s military contributions during WWII. Canada’s growing autonomy has allowed it to stand on its own feet and take Canadian issues in its own hand. It was as if Canada finally grew up from under British rule. The invention of the Avro Arrow proved to the world and to the Canadian people that Canadian scientists, engineers, and designers can work together and create something that no one had ever built or though of before. The Avro’s technology changed future aircrafts to what they are today. During the Second World War, Canadians captured the town of Ortona which allowed the Allies to advance on the Germans. In addition, Canadian soldiers liberated France and the Netherlands. Their contributions and sacrifices for the war effort allowed Canada to stand up and become known as a world power with its strong military and economy. Throughout the twenties, Prime Minister Mackenzie King made nationalism the main objective of his election campaigns. He strongly believed in independence and led Canada towards its ultimate goal of complete independence from Britain.

During the twenties, Canada took a great leap towards its independence. The first time Canada said no to Britain was during the Chanak crisis in 1922. As a test of loyalty and support, Britain asked Canada to send troops to Chanak. However, Prime Minister Mackenzie King announced that Canada would no longer automatically commit to fight at Britain's side whenever they demanded it. In the mean time, editorial cartoons (1922) show that Conservative leader, Arthur Meign believed that Canada should say, “Ready! Aye Ready!” In saying that Canada would no longer fight at Britain’s side whenever Britain demanded it, King had made his point that Parliament would decide the role that Canada would play in external affairs. During the Imperial Conference of 1926, Mackenzie King sought after a formal declaration of autonomy for Canada. He received it at this conference where nations such as Canada were to become self-governing nations, equal in status to each other and freely associated with Britain in the new Commonwealth of Nations. This declaration, known as the Balfour Declaration marked the end of old-style British imperialism and the beginning of autonomous nations. In June 1926, when King asked the Governor General, Lord Byng to hold elections, Lord Byng, who had been appointed by the British government, refused. However, when Conservative leader Arthur Meign requested for elections to be held, Lord Byng granted the request. For Prime Minister Mackenzie King, this was another form of British interference in Canadian affairs. Therefore, a Canadian ambassador was established in London, England & a British ambassador in Ottawa so that a representative of the Canadian government became the means of communication with the British government. As a result, Britain had to formally recognise full Canadian independence. Canadians continued in making their country proud and technologically advanced throughout the twentieth century.

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The discovery of the technology behind the Avro Arrow has played a significant role in Canadian science and aviation history. The Arrow was the world’s fastest twin-engine, all weather interceptor at the time. Reports from test pilots praised the speed and handling of it. None like it had ever been built or even thought of. The Avro Arrow was Canada's own discovery and was invented and designed by Canadian scientists. The project took under its wing, a hardworking team of engineers, designers, and scientist and without their contribution, this piece of technology could never have been discovered. This showed ...

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