The next two weeks' lectures will consist of a brief review of Ontario political history. The purpose will be to familiarize yourselves with the main issues and personalities of the historical record, the better to understand the current political landscape from a historical perspective. The brief chronology at the end of the course outline on this web site will help you keep track.

Main issues of Pre-WW I Ontario

1. Schools – language and religion
2. Prohibition and "moral uplift"
3. Female Suffrage
4. Urbanization, industrialization, labour standards
5. Role of provincial state in economic development

The United Farmers/Independent Labour Party Government 1919-1923

1. Fragmentation of the party system
2. Reformers in power – problems of governing
3. Non-partisan party – problems of party organization
4. Electoral illusion – vote strength less than victory suggested

Post-UFO Era – Conservative Dominance, Liberal Weakness, UFO/ILP Decline

1. Howard Ferguson and Prohibition
2. George Henry and the Depression

The Liberal Resurgence – Mitchell Hepburn

1. Populism and the 1930s
2. Hepburn’s Rise to Power
3. Hepburn’s Fall from Grace
4. The Feud with Mackenzie King
5. Successes and Failures

The Birth of the Big Blue Machine

1. George Drew and the 22-Point Plan
2. Reform of the party system – the rise of CCF
3. The 1945 Campaign and the CCF Decline
4. Leslie Frost
5. John Robarts
6. William Davis

The Miller Government and the Liberal/NDP Accord

1. Frank Miller and the decline of Conservative dominance
2. The Accord
3. The Aftermath – Liberal Majority
4. The 1990 Election

The Rae Government 1990-95

1. Inexperience in office
2. Economic surprise
3. Keynesian efforts and failures
4. Social Contract

The First Harris Government 1995-1999

1. Revolution or counter-revolution?
2. Health, education, labour
3. Taxes, expenditure cuts
4. Social welfare

Second Harris Government 1999-2002

1. Balanced budget, expenditures
2. Continuing problems in health, education
3. Declining support?

Eves Government and the 2003 Election

1. Continuing revolution or consolidation?
2. The McGuinty Government – early days
3. The McGuinty Government -- approaching 2007 Election