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The Life and Legend of John Diefenbaker: Canada's 13th Prime Minister

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Published in Rogue Tory: The Life And Legend Of John G Diefenbaker

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John Diefenbaker was a Canadian politician who served as the 13th Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963. He was a controversial figure, but he also had a deep love for Canada and its people.

Rogue Tory: The Life and Legend of John G. Diefenbaker

by Denis Smith

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8681 KB
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Print length	:	702 pages

Early Life

John Diefenbaker was born on September 18, 1895, in Neustadt, Ontario. His parents were German immigrants who had come to Canada in the 1870s. Diefenbaker grew up in a small town and attended the local school. He was a bright student and excelled in his studies.

After graduating from high school, Diefenbaker attended the University of Saskatchewan. He studied law and graduated in 1919. After graduating from law school, Diefenbaker moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and began practicing law.

Political Career

Diefenbaker began his political career in the 1920s. He was elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 1929 and served as the leader of the Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative Party from 1936 to 1940.

In 1940, Diefenbaker was elected to the House of Commons of Canada. He quickly became a leading figure in the Conservative Party and served as the party's leader from 1956 to 1963.

Diefenbaker was elected Prime Minister of Canada in 1957. He led the Conservative Party to a majority government, the first time the party had won a majority since 1930.

Prime Minister of Canada

As Prime Minister, Diefenbaker had a number of accomplishments, including:

Passing the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed basic freedoms for Canadians
Creating the Canadian flag
Establishing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

However, Diefenbaker's time as Prime Minister was also marked by controversy. He was criticized for his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis and his decision to cancel the Avro Arrow, a Canadian-built fighter jet.

In 1963, Diefenbaker's government was defeated by the Liberal Party. He remained the leader of the Conservative Party until 1967, when he was succeeded by Robert Stanfield.

Legacy

John Diefenbaker is a controversial figure in Canadian history. He was a brilliant politician who achieved a number of significant accomplishments, but he was also known for his stubbornness and his tendency to make mistakes.

Despite his flaws, Diefenbaker was a true patriot who loved Canada and its people. He will always be remembered as one of the most important figures in Canadian history.