Item AAAB2956 - Robert Thompson interview

CALL NUMBER: T2704:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The political education of Robert N. Thompson PERIOD COVERED: 1914-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-07-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert Thompson discusses his early years, education and first interest in politics. Introduction to the teachings of Social Credit under William Aberhart in Alberta in the 1930s. Discussion of Social Credit economic theory. Social Credit and political action. TRACK 2: Discussion of Social Credit and religion. Military service overseas during World War II, international travels and experience in Ethiopia as advisor to Haile Selassie. Marriage and the problems of raising a family abroad. Return to Canada and entry into federal politics in 1960. The role and influence of Premier Manning of Alberta. CALL NUMBER: T2704:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The problems of leading the federal Social Credit party in Canada PERIOD COVERED: 1960-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-07-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert Thompson discusses his goals as leader of the federal Social Credit party in Canada. Relations with provincial Socred Premiers: Ernest Manning and W.A.C. Bennett. Attitudes towards socialism. Impressions of the Social Credit party in British Columbia. Relations between the Alberta and British Columbia provincial parties. Anecdote about meeting in Toronto in the King Edward Hotel with Premiers Manning and Bennett. TRACK 2: Thompson explains some of the problems he had in obtaining funding for the federal Social Credit party. Events and personalities surrounding the 1961 federal Socred convention at which Thompson was made party leader. Discussion of the split which developed between the Quebec and Western Canadian portions of the federal Social Credit party in 1963. The reasons for the lack of success of the Social Credit party in Canadian federal politics.