W. M. Martin and the Farmer's Movement in Saskatchewan 1916-1922
Date
1976
Authors
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Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Since its creation in 1905 Saskatchewan, unlike its immediate
neighbours, has been characterized by a political continuity represented
by the Liberal Party which dominated the government until 1944 and has
subsequently dominated the opposition. No party in western Canada, of
any political persuasion, has a better record of longevity or electoral
support. The Liberals survived numerous crises which weakened or destroyed
their counterparts elsewhere: the agrarian unrest of the 1920's,
the great depression, the rise of a protest movement, and twenty years
of opposition. William l1elville Martin, Premier of Saskatchewan from
October 1916 to April 1922, was important in enabling the Liberals to
overcome their first major challenge; the entry of the farmers' movement
into pol itics.
During his term the Progressives made their spectacular federal
debut, capturing sixty-five seats and sweeping the prairies. Provincially.
farmers toppled the governments of Ontario (1919) and Alberta
(1921); the Manitoba government fell in March 1922 after a 1920 election
had reduced it to a minority position. In Alberta the Liberals never
recovered from this collapse, while in Manitoba their identity was blurred
by coalition politics. Saskatchewan Liberals escaped this turbulence
intact, despite contesting an election in 1921, the worst year of discontent.
Through a combination of shrewd policies and fortuitous circumstance,
Martin was able to guide his party through the crisis. This thesis intends
to ascertain the reasons for his success at a time when his counterparts
elewhere failed.
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Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
History
Program
History