James Scullin vs Lord Dufferin

James Scullin became Prime Minister of Australia on October 22, 1929, leading a Labor government just days after the Wall Street Crash. His government faced the onset of the Great Depression, with rising unemployment and economic contraction, and struggled to implement effective policies.

Scullin's government appointed Sir Isaac Isaacs as the first Australian-born Governor-General of Australia in 1930, over the objections of King George V. This act asserted Australian autonomy in constitutional matters and was a significant step in the evolution of Australian sovereignty.

Scullin's government adopted the Premiers' Plan in June 1931, a set of austerity measures agreed with state premiers to combat the Depression. The plan included cuts to government spending, wage reductions, and increased taxes, which were deeply unpopular within the Labor Party and led to splits.

Scullin's government was weakened by a split in the Labor Party, with the formation of the Lang Labor faction led by New South Wales Premier Jack Lang. This division, along with defections to the new United Australia Party, led to the collapse of Scullin's government in late 1931.

Scullin's Labor government was decisively defeated in the December 1931 federal election by the United Australia Party under Joseph Lyons. The election marked the end of Labor's term, with the party reduced to a small minority in parliament.

Lord Dufferin served as Governor General of Canada from 1872 to 1878. He played a key role in promoting Canadian unity and cultural development, including the establishment of the Royal Society of Canada and the encouragement of the arts. His tenure was marked by his diplomatic handling of political tensions.

During Lord Dufferin's viceroyalty, the Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay with the approval of the British authorities. Dufferin initially viewed it as a safety valve for political dissent, but the Congress later became the leading organization of the Indian independence movement.

Lord Dufferin oversaw the settlement of the Afghan border dispute with Russia through the Joint Anglo-Russian Boundary Commission. The agreement defined the northern frontier of Afghanistan, reducing tensions between Britain and Russia in Central Asia, known as the 'Great Game'.

Lord Dufferin ordered the Third Anglo-Burmese War, which resulted in the annexation of Upper Burma into British India. King Thibaw Min was deposed and exiled. This completed the British conquest of Burma, adding a large territory to the British Empire.