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A Real Companion and Friend:
The diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King
Archived Content
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Educational Resources
Grades 9-11 (Secondary 4 and 5 in Québec)
The Mackenzie King Diaries Quest—Mission Sheet
The King Diaries Quest - Learning Activity for Students, page one.
The King Diaries Quest - Learning Activity for Students, page two.
Attention: Do not destroy
Your mission
Thank you for accepting this mission. Our nation will forever be grateful for your contribution.
- Research the Mackenzie King diaries using the Internet to find the missing information. You can access the diaries at The Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King or by clicking on the How to Access the diaries link. Instructions on how to search the diaries are found there.
- Follow the chart below to find the missing information.
- Given your world-renowned expertise, write a report explaining Mackenzie King's thoughts and feelings and how you have interpreted them.
| Second World War Conscription Events |
Date to Research on the Internet |
Your Findings... |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mackenzie King's early views on conscription. | May 10, 1917, page G2728. |
|
| April 3, 1918, page G2874. |
||
| 2. Waiting for the declaration of war by Britain. | September 7, 1939, pages 1 to 3. |
|
| 3. Mackenzie King's later views on war and conscription. | December 11, 1941, pages 4 and 5. |
|
| June 9, 1942, pages 1 and 2. |
||
| 4. Events around the Plebiscite. | November 5, 1941, pages 1 to 3. |
|
| April 27, 1942, pages 1 to 3. |
||
| 5. Mackenzie King's view on preserving national unity and avoiding civil war. | September 13, 1944, page 5. |
|
| 6. Imposing conscription. | ||
| The day before: | November 22, 1944, pages 1 and 2. |
|
| The day of: | November 23, 1944, pages 1 and 3. |
|
| Reflections after the war | January 8, 1950, pages1 and 2. |
|
Official Mission Report
Checklist
- Complete and include in your report the chart highlighting your findings on Mackenzie King's thoughts and feelings.
- Write a paragraph on the type of man you picture Mackenzie King to have been.
- How did Mackenzie King really feel about imposing conscription?
- Include quotes in your report to support your statements.
