| Richard Bedford Bennett | |
|---|---|
| File:RB Bennett 1930.jpg R. B. Bennett in 1930 |
|
| Prime Minister of Canada | |
| In office | August 7, 1930 – October 23, 1935 |
| Monarch | George V |
| Governor General | The Earl of Willingdon; The Earl of Bessborough |
| Preceded by | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| Succeeded by | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 3, 1870 Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick |
| Died | June 26, 1947 Mickleham, Surrey, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett (July 3, 1870 – June 26, 1947) was the 11th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1930 to 1935. He led the country during the depths of the Great Depression and is remembered for his ambitious but controversial efforts to combat economic hardship.
Early life and education
Bennett was born in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick. He studied law and became a successful lawyer and businessman in Calgary, Alberta. His financial acumen and organizational skills helped him rise quickly in politics.
Political career
Bennett entered federal politics in 1911 as a Conservative MP. He served as Minister of Justice and later as Minister of Finance. By 1927, he became leader of the Conservative Party, positioning himself as a strong alternative to Mackenzie King.
Prime Ministership
Bennett became Prime Minister after winning the 1930 election, just as the Great Depression was worsening. His policies included:
- Establishing relief programs for the unemployed.
- Creating the Bank of Canada (1935).
- Proposing a “New Deal”-style program in 1935, modeled on U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt’s reforms.
- Introducing regulations on working hours, minimum wages, and unemployment insurance.
Despite these initiatives, widespread poverty, unemployment, and public discontent overshadowed his government. His opponents mocked his relief efforts by calling makeshift settlements “Bennett buggies” and “Bennett boroughs.”
Later life and death
Bennett lost the 1935 election to Mackenzie King and retired to private life in England. In 1941, he was elevated to the British peerage as Viscount Bennett, the only Canadian Prime Minister to receive such a title. He died in 1947 and was buried in Surrey, England.
Legacy
Bennett remains a controversial figure: criticized for failing to end the Depression, yet credited with laying the foundation for Canada’s later welfare state through institutions like the Bank of Canada.
See also
FAQs
Q: When was R. B. Bennett Prime Minister of Canada? A: From August 7, 1930, to October 23, 1935.
Q: What was Bennett’s most lasting achievement? A: Establishing the Bank of Canada in 1935.
Q: Why is Bennett controversial? A: Many felt his government failed to adequately address the Great Depression, though his reforms influenced Canada’s later social programs.