The Struggle for Responsible Government in the North-West Territories 1870-97

Lewis Herbert Thomas (1917-1983) was Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan, taught history at the Universities of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and edited the journal “Saskatchewan History.” First published in 1956, this volume began as Thomas’ doctoral dissertation. The book traces the emergence of territorial government in western Canada, beginning with Canada’s acquisition of the North-West from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870 and ending with the creation of responsible government in 1897. Thomas begins by discussing provisional governing measures enacted shortly after 1870, followed by the formation of territorial governments at Winnipeg and Battleford. The book’s second half examines the roles of elected figures and committees in securing self-governance in the North-West. This edition adds a chapter on responsible government in the Yukon and Northwest Territories 1897-1970. Includes footnotes and index.