John Diefenbaker: Most Influential Person In The History Of Canada

It takes many generations for any single country to evolve from its earliest state into what would be considered a nation. John G. Diefenbaker can be considered the single most influential person in the history of Canada, . Diefenbaker's work resulted in the creation of major bills freedom of religion, The right to life, liberty and security of the person, and in another section, rights to fundamental justice and policies within government legislation as well as developing a stance on foreign affairs and many policies dealing with global issues.

John Diefenbaker was born on September 18, 1895, Neustadt, Ontario. His family moved to several locations in Ontario in John's early years. John took interest in the politics since he was young. Around

the age of eight he told his mom that he would someday be Prime Minister. She told him that it was an impossible ambition, especially for a boy on the prairies. John's first interaction with politics was in 1910, when at a train station he sold a newspaper to the Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier; John had a conversation with him about politics and current affairs. Sir Wilfred was very well impressed, especially the way John ended the conversation by saying, "I can't waste any more time on you, Prime Minister. I must get about my work."John finished high school within Saskatoon in 1912, and then he entered University of Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in 1915 and his master of arts the following year. Within 1916, John was enlisted in the army. He served for one year in Britain before being invalidated because he was hit by a shovel and returned home. John didn't leave his education, he finished by studying law. in order for John to pay for his law courses he had to pedal around on his bike selling books so he can pay for school. He graduated with an LL.B. in 1919. He set up a law practice in Wakaw. John quickly established himself as a successful criminal lawyer. Over his 20-year career, he defended 18 men from the death penalty. John was

very passionate for what he was doing and believed that if he was in charge, he would do what was right for the people.

After finishing his education and becoming a successful criminal lawyer it was time for John Diefenbaker to become one step closer to his dream of becoming Prime Minister.

John ran for a seat in the House of Commons in 1925 and 1926, but lost. He tried the provincial legislature in 1929 and 1938, but lost again. finally Diefenbaker was elected leader of the Conservative party of Saskatchewan in 1936, but the party won no seats in the election. Finally in the 1940 election, he won a Commons seat in the Opposition. Diefenbaker began his campaign for the average Canadian and ethnic minorities. In the House of Commons, he debated, he threw questions at the governing party that would make them speechless and they absolutely hated when John Diefenbaker would stand up and ask questions,they sometimes just could not answer, people would also trust him when he brought up his touchy issues and his name started coming in newspapers. His party won a minor government in 1957, general election defeating Louis St. Laurent and the Liberals witch has been in the office for on outstanding 22 years. later he was elected as the 13th prime minister of Canada. In 1960, his party gain massive popularity and he won majority of seats in the House of Commons, his party name was changed from "conservative" to "progressive conservative" when John Diefenbaker became prime minister, John led the progressive conservative to three consecutive win in elections. John seemed to be very strong in this

subject.

John Diefenbaker had some questionable decisions like the decision to cancel the Avro Arrow project, which was a mach-2 interceptor jet.

This jet was supposed to be the Canadian Air Forces Interceptor from 1960. The project had been started when the liberals were in power, in June 1957 the liberals lost the election to John Diefenbaker and the Conservatives. Diefenbaker thought that the project was taking too money and time so in February 1959 he canceled the project. Tension were rising between the Soviets and Allies, the cold war had started, and both sides were preparing for war, the Soviets had launched their satellite sputnik in the orbit and they could bomb nuclear bombs , this is why the allies working on the arrow Avro project in Ontario, the goal of this project was to develop a jet interceptor this was supposed to be the best defense against the Soviet bombers, the government was funding this project heavily and about $400 million had been spent on this project, John had reasons for canceling the avro arrow such as, the cost it was extremely high and the arrow had not yet been completed after months. The conservative now were back to minority in 1962 and lost the 1963 elections, the main reason was the value was lowered and the cancelation of the Avro arrow project but he continued to lead the progressive conservative party as the leader of the opposition, later in 1967 he lost the leadership vote by his own to Robert Stanfield. It was a hard decision for John but

he had to do what was right for his people and that was to save money for them, so that’s what he did. John Diefenbaker is one of the greatest prime ministers Canada ever had, He was also very concerned on the safety, rights and freedoms. He served people's interests , mainly farmers but overall the people of Canada, he always tried to do what was best for the country.

John Diefenbaker was a man of his country and was for the people and did what he knew would help.