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1958 Canadian federal election Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Canadian Federal Election: 1958

Cheat Sheet:
Canadian Federal Election: 1958 Study Guide

Election Context and Leadership

Prime Minister Diefenbaker called a snap election in 1958, leveraging the Liberal Party's recent election of a new leader, Lester Pearson.

Answer: True

Explanation: Prime Minister John Diefenbaker initiated a snap election in 1958. He strategically capitalized on the recent election of Lester Pearson as the new Liberal leader, whose subsequent speech suggested the Liberals could govern without an election, a point Diefenbaker effectively countered using classified documents. This, combined with other factors like the political climate in Quebec and the decline of the Social Credit Party, contributed to the Progressive Conservatives' decisive victory.

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Lester Pearson's maiden speech suggested the Liberals should form a government through an election due to an economic downturn.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lester Pearson's maiden speech suggested the Liberals could form a government without an election, due to an economic downturn, not that an election was needed because of it.

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John Diefenbaker led the Liberal Party, while Lester B. Pearson led the Progressive Conservative Party in the 1958 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: John Diefenbaker led the Progressive Conservative Party, and Lester B. Pearson led the Liberal Party in the 1958 election.

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M.J. Coldwell was the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: M.J. Coldwell served as the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1958 federal election.

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Solon Earl Low led the Progressive Conservative Party in the 1958 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Solon Earl Low was the leader of the Social Credit Party in the 1958 election, not the Progressive Conservative Party.

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John Diefenbaker used classified Liberal Cabinet documents to counter Lester Pearson's suggestion about forming a government.

Answer: True

Explanation: Prime Minister Diefenbaker effectively utilized classified Liberal Cabinet documents to counter Lester Pearson's suggestion that the Liberals could form a government without an election, thereby undermining the Liberal position.

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Which of the following was NOT a key factor leveraged by Prime Minister Diefenbaker for his 1958 victory?

Answer: The Conservative Party's long-standing popularity in Western Canada.

Explanation: While the Progressive Conservatives may have had existing popularity in Western Canada, the key factors leveraged by Prime Minister Diefenbaker for his 1958 victory, as detailed in the supporting materials, included the Liberal Party's new leadership under Lester Pearson, an alliance with Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis, and the significant decline in support for the Social Credit Party.

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How did Lester Pearson's maiden speech in the House of Commons inadvertently affect the 1958 election outcome?

Answer: It suggested the Liberals could form a government without an election, allowing Diefenbaker to portray them as inconsistent using classified documents.

Explanation: Lester Pearson's maiden speech suggested the Liberals could form a government without an election, a statement Prime Minister Diefenbaker exploited by contrasting it with classified documents and portraying the Liberals as inconsistent, thereby contributing to their electoral defeat.

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Who led the Progressive Conservative Party during the 1958 federal election?

Answer: John Diefenbaker

Explanation: John Diefenbaker was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party during the 1958 federal election.

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Who was the leader of the Social Credit Party in the 1958 election?

Answer: Solon Earl Low

Explanation: Solon Earl Low served as the leader of the Social Credit Party during the 1958 federal election.

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Which factor related to the Liberal Party's new leader, Lester Pearson, was exploited by Diefenbaker?

Answer: Pearson's speech implying the Liberals could govern without an election.

Explanation: Prime Minister Diefenbaker exploited Lester Pearson's maiden speech, which suggested the Liberals could form a government without an election, by contrasting it with classified documents and portraying the Liberals as inconsistent, thereby contributing to their electoral defeat.

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Progressive Conservative Triumph

The 1958 election resulted in Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's government holding the largest majority in Canadian history up to that point.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1958 federal election resulted in a landslide victory for Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservative Party, establishing the largest majority government in Canadian history up to that point, securing a substantial mandate.

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Robert Borden's 1917 victory achieved a higher percentage of the popular vote than John Diefenbaker's 1958 win.

Answer: True

Explanation: While the 1958 election result was a significant triumph for John Diefenbaker, Unionist Prime Minister Robert Borden's victory in the 1917 federal election, which achieved 56.93 percent of the popular vote, was higher.

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The Progressive Conservative Party secured 53.67% of the popular vote in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party achieved 53.67% of the popular vote in the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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The Progressive Conservative Party's seat count increased by over 80% compared to the 1957 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party's seat count saw a significant increase of approximately 87.4% compared to the 1957 election results.

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The Progressive Conservative Party won just over 78% of the total seats in the House of Commons in 1958.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party secured a commanding majority of the total seats in the House of Commons, winning 78.49% in the 1958 election.

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The Progressive Conservative Party's popular vote percentage increased by 14.85 percentage points from 1957 to 1958.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party experienced a positive popular vote 'pp Change' of +14.85 percentage points between the 1957 and 1958 federal elections.

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The Progressive Conservative Party won 208 seats, representing a 87.4% increase from the 1957 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party won 208 seats in the 1958 election, which represented an 87.4% increase compared to their seat count in the 1957 election.

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The 1958 election saw the Progressive Conservatives win the second-largest percentage of the popular vote in Canadian history.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party achieved the second-largest percentage of the popular vote ever recorded in a Canadian federal election during the 1958 election, contributing to their historic majority.

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The Progressive Conservative Party won 78.49% of the seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party secured a commanding majority of the total seats in the House of Commons, winning 78.49% in the 1958 election.

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The 1958 election resulted in the second-largest percentage of the popular vote ever achieved by a party in Canadian federal election history.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party achieved the second-largest percentage of the popular vote ever recorded in a Canadian federal election during the 1958 election, contributing to their historic majority.

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The Progressive Conservative Party won 208 seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party secured 208 seats in the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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What was the most significant outcome of the 1958 election for Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's government?

Answer: It transformed his minority government into the largest majority government in Canadian history at that time.

Explanation: The most significant outcome for Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's government was the transformation of his minority government into the largest majority government in Canadian history up to that point, solidifying his mandate.

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Which historical figure's election victory had a higher popular vote percentage than John Diefenbaker's in 1958?

Answer: Robert Borden in 1917

Explanation: Unionist Prime Minister Robert Borden's victory in the 1917 federal election, which achieved 56.93 percent of the popular vote, surpassed the popular vote percentage obtained by John Diefenbaker in the 1958 election.

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What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive Conservative Party achieve in the 1958 election?

Answer: 53.67%

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party achieved 53.67% of the popular vote in the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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The Progressive Conservative Party's seat count saw a significant increase of approximately what percentage compared to the 1957 election?

Answer: 87.4%

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party experienced a substantial increase in its seat count, approximately 87.4%, compared to the 1957 election results.

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In the 1958 election, what percentage of the total seats in the House of Commons did the Progressive Conservative Party win?

Answer: 78.49%

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party secured a commanding majority of the total seats in the House of Commons, winning 78.49% in the 1958 election.

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What was the Progressive Conservative Party's popular vote 'pp Change' from 1957 to 1958?

Answer: +14.85 percentage points

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party experienced a positive popular vote 'pp Change' of +14.85 percentage points between the 1957 and 1958 federal elections.

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The 1958 election resulted in the second-largest percentage of the popular vote ever achieved by a party. Which party achieved this?

Answer: Progressive Conservative Party

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party achieved the second-largest percentage of the popular vote ever recorded in a Canadian federal election during the 1958 election, contributing to their historic majority.

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Liberal Party's Performance

The Liberal Party won 48 seats in the 1958 election, marking their highest seat count in history up to that point.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party secured only 48 seats in the 1958 election, which represented their lowest seat count in history up to that point, not their highest.

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The Liberal Party received 33.75% of the popular vote in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Liberal Party received 33.75% of the popular vote in the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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The Liberal Party experienced a seat increase of over 50% in the 1958 election compared to 1957.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party experienced a significant seat decrease of 53.8% in the 1958 election compared to 1957, not an increase.

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The Liberal Party won nearly 20% of the seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party won 18.11% of the seats in the 1958 election, which is close to 20%, but the statement implies it was a significant or positive outcome, which it was not given their historical performance.

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The Liberal Party secured 25 seats in Quebec, representing less than half of their total seats won nationwide in 1958.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party won 25 seats in Quebec, which represented more than half of their total seats won nationwide in 1958.

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The Liberal Party's popular vote percentage decreased by 7.35 percentage points from 1957 to 1958.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Liberal Party experienced a popular vote 'pp Change' of -7.35 percentage points in the 1958 election compared to 1957.

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The Liberal Party's popular vote share in Quebec was 45.6% in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: In Quebec, the Liberal Party received 45.6% of the popular vote in the 1958 election, narrowly trailing the Progressive Conservatives in that province.

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The Liberal Party nominated 264 candidates in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Liberal Party nominated a total of 264 candidates to contest seats in the 1958 federal election.

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The Liberal Party received 32.1% of the popular vote in Ontario during the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Liberal Party received 32.1% of the popular vote in Ontario during the 1958 federal election.

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The Liberal Party won 48 seats in the 1958 election, which was more than half of their total seats.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party won 48 seats in the 1958 election, which was their lowest seat count up to that point and represented less than half of their seats from the previous election.

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The Liberal Party's seat count of 48 in 1958 was the highest in their history up to that point.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party's seat count of 48 in 1958 was the lowest in their history up to that point, not the highest.

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What was the historical significance of the Liberal Party winning only 48 seats in the 1958 election?

Answer: It was the smallest seat count in the Liberal Party's history up to that time.

Explanation: The Liberal Party's acquisition of only 48 seats in the 1958 election was historically significant as it marked the smallest seat count the party had experienced up to that point.

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Which party secured the second-highest popular vote percentage in the 1958 election?

Answer: Liberal Party

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party secured the highest popular vote percentage (53.67%), followed by the Liberal Party, which obtained the second-highest percentage at 33.75%.

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What was the seat change for the Liberal Party from the 1957 election to the 1958 election?

Answer: -53.8%

Explanation: The Liberal Party experienced a significant decline in seats, with a seat change of -53.8% from the 1957 election to the 1958 election.

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Which statement best describes the Liberal Party's seat count in Quebec in 1958?

Answer: They won 25 seats, representing over half of their total seats.

Explanation: The Liberal Party secured 25 seats in Quebec during the 1958 election, a figure that constituted more than half of their total caucus seats won nationwide.

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How many candidates did the Liberal Party nominate for the 1958 federal election?

Answer: 264

Explanation: The Liberal Party nominated a total of 264 candidates to contest seats in the 1958 federal election.

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Minor Party Collapse

The Social Credit Party gained seats in the 1958 election, marking a resurgence in their support.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Social Credit Party experienced a significant decline in the 1958 election, losing all of its seats, rather than gaining them.

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The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) won 8 seats and received 9.51% of the popular vote in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the 1958 election, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) secured 8 seats and obtained 9.51% of the popular vote.

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The Social Credit Party won 19 seats in the 1958 election, maintaining their previous representation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Social Credit Party lost all 19 of its seats in the 1958 election, experiencing a complete collapse in representation.

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The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) lost approximately 68% of its seats from the 1957 election to the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) experienced a substantial reduction in its seat count, losing approximately 68% of its seats from the 1957 election to the 1958 election.

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The Social Credit Party lost 100% of its seats between the 1957 and 1958 elections.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Social Credit Party experienced a complete loss of its parliamentary representation, losing 100% of its seats between the 1957 and 1958 elections.

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The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) won 3.01% of the seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) won 8 seats in the 1958 election, which constituted 3.01% of the total seats in the House of Commons.

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The 1958 election marked the end of the Social Credit Party's influence in Canadian federal politics.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the 1958 election marked a severe decline for the Social Credit Party, it did not signify the absolute end of their influence, as they would continue to hold seats in subsequent elections, albeit with diminished representation.

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The Social Credit Party lost all 19 of its seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Social Credit Party experienced a complete loss of its parliamentary representation, losing all 19 of its seats in the 1958 election.

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What happened to the Social Credit Party's representation in the House of Commons following the 1958 election?

Answer: They lost all 19 of their seats.

Explanation: Following the 1958 election, the Social Credit Party experienced a significant decline, losing all 19 of the seats they had previously held in the House of Commons.

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How many seats did the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) win in the 1958 election?

Answer: 8

Explanation: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) secured 8 seats in the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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What was the outcome for the Social Credit Party in the 1958 federal election regarding seat count?

Answer: Won 0 seats

Explanation: The Social Credit Party's representation in the House of Commons was eliminated in the 1958 federal election, as they won 0 seats.

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Which statement accurately describes the shift for the Social Credit Party between the 1957 and 1958 elections?

Answer: They lost 100% of their seats.

Explanation: Between the 1957 and 1958 elections, the Social Credit Party suffered a complete loss of its parliamentary representation, losing 100% of its seats.

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Regional Analysis

The Progressive Conservatives gained seats in Alberta due to the decline of the Social Credit Party.

Answer: True

Explanation: The decline in support for the Social Credit Party in Alberta directly contributed to the Progressive Conservatives' success, enabling them to win a significantly larger number of seats in the province.

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The Progressive Conservative Party swept all seventeen seats in Alberta in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the 1958 election, the Progressive Conservative Party achieved a complete victory in Alberta, sweeping all seventeen seats in the province.

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The Progressive Conservative Party won 50 seats in Quebec in the 1958 election, largely due to an alliance with the provincial Liberal Party.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Progressive Conservatives won 50 seats in Quebec, the crucial alliance was with the provincial Union Nationale party, not the provincial Liberal Party.

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The Progressive Conservative Party achieved over 56% of the popular vote in Ontario during the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: In Ontario, the Progressive Conservative Party secured 56.4% of the popular vote in the 1958 election, exceeding 56%.

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In Alberta, the Social Credit Party won 13 seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the 1958 election, the Social Credit Party won no seats in Alberta, losing all thirteen seats they had held previously to the Progressive Conservatives.

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The alliance with Maurice Duplessis was key to the Progressive Conservatives' success in Ontario, not Quebec.

Answer: False

Explanation: The alliance with Maurice Duplessis and his Union Nationale party was crucial for the Progressive Conservatives' success in Quebec, not Ontario.

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The Progressive Conservative Party's popular vote percentage in Nova Scotia was 57.0% in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: In Nova Scotia, the Progressive Conservative Party achieved a vote percentage of 57.0% during the 1958 federal election.

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Which alliance played a crucial role in the Progressive Conservative Party's success in the historically Liberal stronghold of Quebec during the 1958 election?

Answer: An alliance with Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis' Union Nationale party.

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party's success in Quebec, a traditional Liberal stronghold, was significantly aided by an alliance with the provincial Union Nationale party, led by Premier Maurice Duplessis.

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How did the collapse of Social Credit support particularly benefit the Progressive Conservatives in Alberta?

Answer: It enabled the PCs to sweep all seventeen seats in Alberta, up from only three previously.

Explanation: The collapse of Social Credit support in Alberta enabled the Progressive Conservatives to sweep all seventeen seats in the province, a dramatic increase from the three seats they held previously, and also contributed to their success in many four-way races.

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How did the Progressive Conservative Party's performance in Alberta change dramatically from 1957 to 1958?

Answer: They increased their seat count from 3 to all 17 seats.

Explanation: The Progressive Conservative Party's performance in Alberta underwent a dramatic transformation, increasing their seat count from 3 in 1957 to securing all 17 seats in 1958, largely due to the decline of Social Credit support.

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What was the Progressive Conservative Party's vote percentage in Nova Scotia during the 1958 election?

Answer: 57.0%

Explanation: In Nova Scotia, the Progressive Conservative Party achieved a vote percentage of 57.0% during the 1958 federal election.

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Election Statistics and Logistics

The 1958 Canadian federal election was held on March 31, 1957.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1958 Canadian federal election was held on March 31, 1958, not March 31, 1957.

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The voter turnout in the 1958 Canadian federal election was 79.4%, making it the lowest turnout in Canadian federal election history.

Answer: False

Explanation: The voter turnout of 79.4% in the 1958 Canadian federal election was, in fact, the highest percentage of eligible electors to cast a ballot in Canadian federal election history up to that point.

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The House of Commons had 250 seats during the 1958 Canadian federal election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The House of Commons comprised 265 seats during the 1958 Canadian federal election.

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A majority in the House of Commons required 133 seats in the 1958 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: To achieve a majority government in the House of Commons during the 1958 election, a party needed to secure a minimum of 133 seats.

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Parties categorized as 'Others' received more than 5% of the popular vote in the 1958 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Parties categorized as 'Others' collectively received a minimal 0.84% of the popular vote in the 1958 federal election, which is less than 5%.

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The voter turnout in the 1958 election increased by 5.3 percentage points compared to the 1957 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The voter turnout in the 1958 federal election saw an increase of 5.3 percentage points when compared to the turnout in the 1957 election.

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The 'x' notation in the results tables signifies a popular vote share of exactly 0.05%.

Answer: False

Explanation: The notation 'x' in the results tables indicates a popular vote share of less than 0.05%.

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The total popular vote in the 1958 election exceeded 7.5 million votes.

Answer: False

Explanation: The total popular vote in the 1958 Canadian federal election was 7,284,467, which did not exceed 7.5 million votes.

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The ternary plots mentioned are used to show the exact number of seats won by each party.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ternary plots are used to illustrate the shift in electoral support and voter intentions between elections, not to show the exact number of seats won by each party.

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The voter turnout of 79.4% in 1958 was the highest percentage of eligible electors to cast a ballot in Canadian federal election history.

Answer: True

Explanation: The voter turnout of 79.4% in the 1958 Canadian federal election stands as the highest percentage of eligible electors to cast a ballot in Canadian federal election history up to that point.

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On what date did the 1958 Canadian federal election take place?

Answer: March 31, 1958

Explanation: The 1958 Canadian federal election was held on March 31, 1958.

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What was the voter turnout percentage in the 1958 election, and how does it compare historically?

Answer: 79.4%, the highest percentage ever recorded.

Explanation: The voter turnout in the 1958 election was 79.4%, representing the highest percentage of eligible electors to cast a ballot in Canadian federal election history up to that time.

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How many seats were contested in the 1958 Canadian federal election?

Answer: 265

Explanation: A total of 265 seats were contested in the 1958 Canadian federal election for the House of Commons.

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What was the minimum number of seats needed to form a majority government in the 1958 election?

Answer: 133

Explanation: To achieve a majority government in the House of Commons during the 1958 election, a party needed to secure a minimum of 133 seats.

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What proportion of the popular vote did parties categorized as 'Others' receive in the 1958 election?

Answer: 0.84%

Explanation: Parties categorized as 'Others' collectively received a minimal 0.84% of the popular vote in the 1958 federal election.

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How did the voter turnout in the 1958 election compare to the 1957 election?

Answer: It increased by 5.3 percentage points.

Explanation: The voter turnout in the 1958 federal election saw an increase of 5.3 percentage points when compared to the turnout in the 1957 election.

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