James Thomas Milton Anderson
Encyclopedia
James Thomas Milton Anderson (23 July 1878 – 29 December 1946) was Saskatchewan
's fifth Premier
and the first Conservative
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
.
In the 1929 election
, the Tories
were able to exploit patronage
scandals surrounding the Liberal
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
, Catholics
and French Canadians
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
and dust bowl
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
, and remained a minor party for forty years.
James Thomas Milton Anderson (23 July 1878 – 29 December 1946) was Saskatchewan
's fifth Premier
and the first Conservative
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
.
In the 1929 election
, the Tories
were able to exploit patronage
scandals surrounding the Liberal
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
, Catholics
and French Canadians
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
and dust bowl
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
, and remained a minor party for forty years.
James Thomas Milton Anderson (23 July 1878 – 29 December 1946) was Saskatchewan
's fifth Premier
and the first Conservative
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
.
In the 1929 election
, the Tories
were able to exploit patronage
scandals surrounding the Liberal
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
, Catholics
and French Canadians
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
and dust bowl
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
, and remained a minor party for forty years.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
's fifth Premier
Premier of Saskatchewan
The Premier of Saskatchewan is the first minister for the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
and the first Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1925
The Saskatchewan general election of 1925 was the sixth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 2, 1925 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
.
In the 1929 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1929
The Saskatchewan general election of 1929 was the seventh provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 6, 1929 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
were able to exploit patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
scandals surrounding the Liberal
Saskatchewan Liberal Party
The Saskatchewan Liberal Party is a liberal political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.-Early history :The party dominated Saskatchewan politics for the province's first forty years providing six of the first seven Premiers, and being in power for all but five of the years between the...
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
James Garfield Gardiner
James Garfield "Jimmy" Gardiner, PC was a Canadian farmer, educator, and politician...
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
Progressive Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Party of Saskatchewan was a provincial section of the Progressive Party of Canada and was active from the 1920s to the mid-1930s...
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
First Nations in Saskatchewan
First Nations in Saskatchewan constitute many nations. First Nations ethnicities in the province include the Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux, Dene and Dakota. Historically the Atsina and Blackfoot could also be found at various times....
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
, Catholics
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the southern part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, as far north as the 30th township, or about 51°30' lat, that includes the suffragan dioceses of Prince-Albert, and Saskatoon...
and French Canadians
Fransaskois
Fransaskois are francophones or French Canadians living in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan. The term franco-saskatchewanian may also be used on occasion, although in practice it is rare due to its length and unwieldiness.-Population:...
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
Executive Council of Saskatchewan
The Executive Council of Saskatchewan is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
Separate school
In Canada, separate school refers to a particular type of school that has constitutional status in three provinces and statutory status in three territories...
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and dust bowl
Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands from 1930 to 1936...
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
Estevan Riot
The Estevan Riot, also known as the Black Tuesday Riot, was a confrontation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and striking coal miners from nearby Bienfait, Saskatchewan which took place in Estevan, Saskatchewan on September 29, 1931. The miners had been on strike since September 7, 1931...
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
Saskatchewan general election, 1934
The Saskatchewan general election of 1934 was the eighth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 19, 1934, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
, and remained a minor party for forty years.
Sources
James Thomas Milton Anderson (23 July 1878 – 29 December 1946) was Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
's fifth Premier
Premier of Saskatchewan
The Premier of Saskatchewan is the first minister for the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
and the first Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1925
The Saskatchewan general election of 1925 was the sixth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 2, 1925 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
.
In the 1929 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1929
The Saskatchewan general election of 1929 was the seventh provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 6, 1929 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
were able to exploit patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
scandals surrounding the Liberal
Saskatchewan Liberal Party
The Saskatchewan Liberal Party is a liberal political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.-Early history :The party dominated Saskatchewan politics for the province's first forty years providing six of the first seven Premiers, and being in power for all but five of the years between the...
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
James Garfield Gardiner
James Garfield "Jimmy" Gardiner, PC was a Canadian farmer, educator, and politician...
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
Progressive Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Party of Saskatchewan was a provincial section of the Progressive Party of Canada and was active from the 1920s to the mid-1930s...
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
First Nations in Saskatchewan
First Nations in Saskatchewan constitute many nations. First Nations ethnicities in the province include the Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux, Dene and Dakota. Historically the Atsina and Blackfoot could also be found at various times....
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
, Catholics
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the southern part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, as far north as the 30th township, or about 51°30' lat, that includes the suffragan dioceses of Prince-Albert, and Saskatoon...
and French Canadians
Fransaskois
Fransaskois are francophones or French Canadians living in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan. The term franco-saskatchewanian may also be used on occasion, although in practice it is rare due to its length and unwieldiness.-Population:...
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
Executive Council of Saskatchewan
The Executive Council of Saskatchewan is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
Separate school
In Canada, separate school refers to a particular type of school that has constitutional status in three provinces and statutory status in three territories...
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and dust bowl
Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands from 1930 to 1936...
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
Estevan Riot
The Estevan Riot, also known as the Black Tuesday Riot, was a confrontation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and striking coal miners from nearby Bienfait, Saskatchewan which took place in Estevan, Saskatchewan on September 29, 1931. The miners had been on strike since September 7, 1931...
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
Saskatchewan general election, 1934
The Saskatchewan general election of 1934 was the eighth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 19, 1934, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
, and remained a minor party for forty years.
Sources
James Thomas Milton Anderson (23 July 1878 – 29 December 1946) was Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
's fifth Premier
Premier of Saskatchewan
The Premier of Saskatchewan is the first minister for the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
and the first Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
to hold the office.
Anderson was chosen leader of the Conservatives in 1924, and was one of three Tory
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in the 1925 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1925
The Saskatchewan general election of 1925 was the sixth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 2, 1925 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
.
In the 1929 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1929
The Saskatchewan general election of 1929 was the seventh provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 6, 1929 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories
Tory (disambiguation)
The term Tory may refer to:* Tory originally the opponents to the Whigs, furthermore various political parties* Conservative Party * Tory , the ancestor of the modern UK Conservative Party* Scottish Unionist Party...
were able to exploit patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
scandals surrounding the Liberal
Saskatchewan Liberal Party
The Saskatchewan Liberal Party is a liberal political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.-Early history :The party dominated Saskatchewan politics for the province's first forty years providing six of the first seven Premiers, and being in power for all but five of the years between the...
government of Premier Jimmy Gardiner
James Garfield Gardiner
James Garfield "Jimmy" Gardiner, PC was a Canadian farmer, educator, and politician...
to achieve a major breakthrough – winning 24 seats. The Liberals won 28 seats, while 5 went to the Progressive Party
Progressive Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Party of Saskatchewan was a provincial section of the Progressive Party of Canada and was active from the 1920s to the mid-1930s...
, and the remaining 4 to independents. The Liberals tried to form a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
, but were defeated in a Motion of No Confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. This allowed Anderson to form a "Co-operative government", a coalition
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
between the Tories, Progressives and Independents.
Anderson was accused of working closely with the Ku Klux Klan, which was a major force in the province in the late 1920s and early 1930s with an estimated 25,000 members. Pat Emmonds, a senior Klan defector, alleged that Anderson and Klan officials would regularly meet; while the Liberals accused the Tories of being a front for the Klan. With few Blacks in the province, and First Nations
First Nations in Saskatchewan
First Nations in Saskatchewan constitute many nations. First Nations ethnicities in the province include the Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux, Dene and Dakota. Historically the Atsina and Blackfoot could also be found at various times....
largely confined to Indian reserves under the informal pass system, the focus of the KKK was against immigration
Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
, Catholics
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the southern part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, as far north as the 30th township, or about 51°30' lat, that includes the suffragan dioceses of Prince-Albert, and Saskatoon...
and French Canadians
Fransaskois
Fransaskois are francophones or French Canadians living in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan. The term franco-saskatchewanian may also be used on occasion, although in practice it is rare due to its length and unwieldiness.-Population:...
– and opposition to the Gardiner Liberals, who were seen as supporting all three.
While Anderson denied the allegations, upon gaining power he took the portfolio of Minister of Education
Executive Council of Saskatchewan
The Executive Council of Saskatchewan is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
as well as Premier and proposed amendments to the Schools Act to ban the instruction of French in public schools, and outlaw the display of religious symbols in all schools – including the Catholic Separate School
Separate school
In Canada, separate school refers to a particular type of school that has constitutional status in three provinces and statutory status in three territories...
system. The KKK supported these changes, and worked hard to elect and defend the Conservative-dominated government.
The Anderson government also had to face the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and dust bowl
Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands from 1930 to 1936...
that destroyed the province's agrarian economy. Anderson also had to deal with labour unrest culminating in the Estevan Riot
Estevan Riot
The Estevan Riot, also known as the Black Tuesday Riot, was a confrontation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and striking coal miners from nearby Bienfait, Saskatchewan which took place in Estevan, Saskatchewan on September 29, 1931. The miners had been on strike since September 7, 1931...
of 1931. The government formed the Saskatchewan Relief Commission to try to help those affected by the drought and massive unemployment. These efforts were insufficient; and in the 1934 elections
Saskatchewan general election, 1934
The Saskatchewan general election of 1934 was the eighth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 19, 1934, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Tories lost every seat in the legislature
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
, and remained a minor party for forty years.