Revival and Change: The 1957 and 1958 Diefenbaker Elections

John Diefenbaker's rise to power and the end of the Diefenbaker era, with the Liberals reduced to their smallest number of seats since Confederation, the CCF reduced to eight seats, and Social Credit wiped out completely.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

The Liberals had been in power for two decades when the 1957 election was called, and they were widely expected to win another majority government. However, new Conservative leader John Diefenbaker completely overshadowed his opponents. Highlighting Liberal arrogance, Diefenbaker seized the opportunity that television and boisterous, supportive rallies offered to present his vision of a new Canada. He was ultimately victorious. A second election in 1958 resulted in a landslide victory, with the Liberals reduced to their smallest number of seats since Confederation, the CCF reduced to eight seats, and losing its leader, and Social Credit wiped out completely. It was a rout never before seen in Canadian history.

Revival and Change is the story of those elections, the government and opposition they produced, the issues that defined the government, and the eras legacy in Canadian politics and society.

The Liberals had been in power for two decades when the 1957 election was called, and they were widely expected to win another majority government. However, new Conservative leader John Diefenbaker completely overshadowed his opponents. Highlighting Liberal arrogance, Diefenbaker seized the opportunity that television and boisterous, supportive rallies offered to present his vision of a new Canada. He was ultimately victorious. A second election in 1958 resulted in a landslide victory, with the Liberals reduced to their smallest number of seats since Confederation, the CCF reduced to eight seats, and losing its leader, and Social Credit wiped out completely. It was a rout never before seen in Canadian history.

Revival and Change is the story of those elections, the government and opposition they produced, the issues that defined the government, and the eras legacy in Canadian politics and society.

The Liberals had been in power for two decades when the 1957 election was called, and they were widely expected to win another majority government. However, new Conservative leader John Diefenbaker completely overshadowed his opponents. Highlighting Liberal arrogance, Diefenbaker seized the opportunity that television and boisterous, supportive rallies offered to present his vision of a new Canada. He was ultimately victorious. A second election in 1958 resulted in a landslide victory, with the Liberals reduced to their smallest number of seats since Confederation, the CCF reduced to eight seats, and losing its leader, and Social Credit wiped out completely. It was a rout never before seen in Canadian history.

Revival and Change is the story of those elections, the government and opposition they produced, the issues that defined the government, and the eras legacy in Canadian politics and society.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774866644