John George Diefenbaker example essay topic

The figure, the face, and the voice of John George Diefenbaker are more familiar to more Canadians than those of any other Canadian in history. Diefenbaker never gave up. He wanted Canada to be the best it could be. John George Diefenbaker's dream of becoming the Prime Minister of Canada never changed, but as he grew up his life changed, and with all of the challenges John G. Diefenbaker followed his dream and made it to the top. In 1910 the Diefenbaker moved to Saskatoon where John and his brother could attend high school. When John met Prime Minister Laurier it came to be a turning point in John's life, and in turn said, "Sir Wilfrid inspired me with the idea that each of us, no matter who he is, or what his upbringing, or however humble his parentage and home, can rise to any position in this country, provided we dedicate ourselves" (J. Diefenbaker, personal communication, 1910).

John entered the University of Saskatchewan in 1912 and graduated in 1916 with an M.A. in political science. After school John enlisted in the army and was titled lieutenant of the Infantry of the Active Militia. In September, 1912, he set off to England. John worked very hard and soon became unable to serve after being diagnosed with Disordered Action of the Heart.

Once John returned to Canada, now with his Military career over, he could focus on becoming a lawyer. In 1919 John graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, this time, with a degree in law. His first law office was located in Waka w, then in 1924 he moved to Prince Albert. He gained fame as a Saskatchewan lawyer due to several highly publicized murder trials. to shape the man John became. Gabriel Dumont, with all of his visits to the Diefenbaker home, gave John the fierceness he would need to go out into the world and believe that he had the capability to succeed. John's first wife, Edna, could see the desire in John's eyes.

She helped him to become a better people person, relaxing in public, and remembering people's names. Both of his wives were his security. They were at his side at all times. When the conversation died they picked it up. Without them John may not have had the confidence to be in public situations.

As a child John was full of questions, eager to know everything. John was shy, and averse to public speaking. He had the ambition to get over his fears, and with help he was able to turn around. He could finally move around in a crowd of people, talking, joking, shaking hands, and hugging his wife. When John was judged or mocked he was enraged, and sometimes would have no choice but to stay silent.

John was a happy man and enjoyed his role as an opposition critic. He had a quick wit and was stubborn like his mother. Forgive and forget were not at the top of John's list. In time he grew quiet in his seat and only lashed out every once in a while, with that old Diefenbaker wit and righteous anger "and though he was at times full of fury, he also inspired true loyalty... he was the fighter who never laid down his gloves" (Slade, 2001, p. 148).

People believed that Diefenbaker lived for Canada. They loved his views, ideas, and his charm. Diefenbaker was known for looking at the whole picture. His determination was shaped, above all, by hatred of injustice: The idea of the poor being treated differently, the working man being looked down upon, filled me with revulsion. I was beginning to add to my Highland inheritance and acquired distrust of powerful forces and a concern over their overwhelming impact on the helpless (Diefenbaker, 1975, p. 39). Diefenbaker's beliefs were so strong.

He put full trust in his words and thoughts. Since he was nine years old he knew he would be Prime Minister. Diefenbaker knew what he had to do to get there, and when he failed he got right back up again. As a conservative, Diefenbaker's early political career was unsuccessful.

In 1925 Diefenbaker tried for office and lost. He tried again in 1926, and 1929 but failed both times. In 1932 he lost when he ran for Mayor of Prince Albert. Until he was 43 he had lost every election he ran for.

It wasn't until 1940 that he won the riding of Lake Center, and squeaked into parliament. After he was elected in the Prince Albert riding. He was looked at as one of the most active younger man in the Opposition Conservative party. In 1956 he was elected conservative party leader after 3 unsuccessful attempts. Diefenbaker's chance to be the Progressive Conservative party leader arouse when George Drew resigned, and Diefenbaker took his spot. After appearing on television, travelling 20,000 miles and giving many speeches, Diefenbaker was loved by Canadians.

Diefenbaker won the election and became Prime Minister of Canada. During Diefenbaker's run as Prime Minister of Canada suffered a let down in the economy, caused by a similar situation in the United States. Diefenbaker didn't want to raise taxes to reduce the budget deficit or do anything else that could be used against him politically. Diefenbaker supported equal rights for Canadians.

Diefenbaker felt very strongly about the Western farmers since he was a child and supported them with financial help. He developed an act which was the first attempt to solve the problems of rural poverty on the Canadian farms. He financially helped with road building and ship building. He started a council that tries to attract industry and investments from foreign countries.

Two accomplishments which gave Diefenbaker his greatest pride were his bill of rights for Canadians and his support of South Africa expulsion from the commonwealth. With his second wife, in 1963, Diefenbaker campaigns for Canada's votes, but fails. He becomes the leader of the Opposition; he and his wife move out of the Prime Minister's residence. Whatever his faults as a Prime Minister, Diefenbaker was applauded for his successes. In April, 1978 Diefenbaker accepts the nomination in Prince Albert. During the campaign, Diefenbaker suffers a stroke, and taking several days to recover.

He wins by 4,200 votes. He takes his seat in late July. On August 16 John George Diefenbaker dies in his study. He was eighty-three. The book John Diefenbaker: An Appointment With Destiny is written in biography form; starting at the beginning of Diefenbaker's life to the end. This book give the facts, the timeline, but a view of Diefenbaker as a "status of legend" (2001, p. 149).

In the book One Canada: Memoirs of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, John himself tell the story of his life and journey. It's incredible to hear his words and feelings. This book shows the humor of Diefenbaker. In The Diefenbaker Legacy it is an anthology comprised of papers presented at the conference, "The Diefenbaker Legacy" held at the University of Saskatchewan on March 6-8, 1997. The authors evaluate the influence of Diefenbaker's term as Prime Minister. In the book Leadership Gained it focuses on the years of 1956 to 1962.

It is the rise and fall of Diefenbaker as Prime Minister. It is transcripts from forty people; giving various views and thoughts. The overall feeling in all books was that Diefenbaker was a well-like man. None of the sources showed much difference. After all John Diefenbaker's struggles he manages to follow his dream and become Prime Minister of Canada.

Diefenbaker will always be remembered as a man with full dedication to his country and it's people. He decided at age nine exactly what his destiny would be. Diefenbaker is a man of truth and honor. John George Diefenbaker is a remarkable man whose career has been interwoven with the history of Canada throughout this century.

Diefenbaker, J.G. (1975). One Canada: Memoirs of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker. Toronto: Macmillan Company of Canada Limited. Paul, R. (2003). A brief biography of John George Diefenbaker. [ document]. Retrieved October 5, 2003 from: web Slade, A. (2001).

John Diefenbaker: An Appointment With Destiny. Montreal: XYZ Publishing. Story, D.C. & Shepard, R.B. (1998). The Diefenbaker Legacy: Canadian Politics, Law, and Society Since 1957. Winnipeg: Hig nell Printing Limited. Stursberg, P. (1975).

Diefenbaker Leadership Gained: 1956-62. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.