As Minister of Justice (1941–46) he upheld limited military conscription during World War II in the face of widespread French-Canadian opposition. In 1946 he became Secretary of State for External Affairs. Having succeeded Mackenzie King as Prime Minister of Canada (1948–57), he played a significant part in setting up the NATO alliance, and did much to raise the international reputation of Canada. Significant constitutional changes were also made during his administration, with the word “Dominion” being dropped from Canada’s official name and Newfoundland becoming the tenth Province in 1949. After overwhelming victories in 1949 and 1953, he was defeated in the election of 1957. As only the second French-Canadian to become Prime Minister, St Laurent gave notable service in the promotion of good relations between English- and French-speaking Canadians.