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Introduction
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The Last Straw

Governor General the Duke of Connaught, Prime Minister Robert Borden and General Sam Hughes with staff, inspecting the new contingents for the war, ca. 1914-1916.
Governor General the Duke of
Connaught, Prime Minister Robert
Borden and General Sam Hughes
with staff, inspecting the new
contingents for the war,
ca. 1914-1916.
Copyright/Source

There are many examples of prime ministers ridding themselves of troublesome ministers. One of the most famous cases was Robert Borden's firing, in 1916, of his minister of Militia and Defence, Sam Hughes. Following Hughes's dismissal, George Foster, another Borden minister, wrote: "The nightmare is removed."

Letter from Prime Minister Robert Borden to Sam Hughes, the Minister of the Militia and Defence requesting Hughes's resignation, November 9, 1916
Letter from Prime Minister Robert
Borden to Sam Hughes, the
Minister of the Militia and Defence
requesting Hughes's resignation,
November 9, 1916.
Copyright/Source
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Created: 2001-04-23
Updated: 2002-01-29
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