Canadian History for Kids: Arthur Meighen

July 10th, 1920, Arthur Meighen is sworn in as Canada’s 9th Prime Minister after the resignation of Robert Borden. This Canadian History for Kids, Sketches of Canada, looks at the life of Canada’s 9th Prime Minister.

This Canadian History for Kids articles begins with Meighen being born on June 16, 1874, in Anderson, Ontario. Arthur Meighen was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding in Manitoba. Prime Minister Meighen (Conservative Party of Canada) served two terms as Canada’s Prime Minister from July 10, 1920, to December 29, 1921, and from June 29, 1926, to September 25, 1926. One Canadian History for Kids highlight of his time in office was the creation of the Armistice Day Act in 1921. In addition to being Prime Minister, he also served as Secretary of State for External Affairs from 1920 to 1921 and in 1926. Prior to taking office, Mr. Meighen was a prominent figure in both the creation of the Canadian National Railway and in the ending of the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919. Mr. Meighen was a lawyer and first sat in the House of Commons in 1908. He died in Toronto, Ontario, on August 5, 1960.
 

Political Career of Arthur Meighen:

• Arthur Meighen was first elected to the House of Commons in 1908.
• He was appointed Solicitor-General in 1913.
• He became Secretary of State in 1915.
• He served as Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs from 1917 to 1920.
• He was also Minister of Mines from 1919 to 1920.
• In 1920, Arthur Meighen was elected Leader of the Conservative Party.
• Arthur Meighen was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada in 1920.
• The Conservative government was defeated in the 1921 general election, and Arthur Meighen was Leader of the Opposition from 1921 to 1926.
• This Canadian history for kids article notes how in the 1925 election, the Conservatives won the most seats, but the Liberals led by Mackenzie King joined forces with Progressive Party members to form a government. In 1926, after a customs scandal, King resigned and Governor General Byng asked Arthur Meighen to once again form a government.
• The Meighen government was defeated in the House four days later and lost the election that followed in September 1926. Arthur Meighen also lost his own seat. Mackenzie King was once again Prime Minister.
• Arthur Meighen was persuaded to become Conservative Party leader again in 1941. He was defeated in a by-election and returned to a business career.

And that’s this week Canadian History for Kids Sketches of Canada!
 

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