CANADA AND THE TWENTIES: CHAPTER 3

Transcription

1 CANADA AND THE TWENTIES: CHAPTER 3 1. Describe the labour movement and women s movement in Canada following the war 2. Explain regionalism in the context of the Interwar years 3. Identify and describe the significance of events contributing to national autonomy during the 1920 s 4. Describe what was life was like for Canadians by the mid to late 20 s Back in Canada.. The war was over but a new battle was brewing In 1918, Canadian soldiers were coming home. They were changed: Boys had become men, haunted by images of war Many had permanent injuries and disabilities both physical and mental Canada had changed: She had grown into a fully industrialized nation it seemed (at least to the soldiers) that Canada had prospered during the war Bitterness ensued There were no jobs for returning soldiers, in many cases women and new immigrants had taken their place There were no steady pensions (i.e. government assistance) for veterans There were no special medical services for those wounded For those already working, life wasn t much better Reduced salaries during the war didn t increase afterwards, but the costs of goods sure did Suddenly, workers couldn t afford basic necessities The cost of living increased as demand for goods dropped Wartime industries were closing, resulted in even more unemployment Big ideas get REALLY big in Europe post war and some come as far as Canada Inspired by the revolutionary theories of Karl Marx, the Bolsheviks (later known as the Communist party of Russia) led by Lenin, had seized power (overthrew the government) in Russia and created the world s first communist state: The Soviet Union In the Utopian Workers Paradise, private ownership would be banned and collective ownership would take its place. In the early days of communism, it seemed like the solution to all the world s economical, political, and social problems after the war They desired to end capitalism feeling that it was the social class (rich vs poor) system that led to the exploitation of workers. This ideology made its way into the fight for improved working conditions in Canada The Red Scare Small protests began in eastern Canada and spread west Unions were becoming more and more radical and strikes became less of a bargaining tool and more of a political weapon The government, in turn, clamped down on worker s groups, banning several organizations outright and prohibiting their publications The Red Scare had begun (Red being the colour of the Communist Revolution) Canadians feared a similar revolution might occur in Canada One Big Union Although communism did not spread to Canada, the workers did borrow some of its ideas In 1919, union leaders from western Canada formed the One Big Union (OBU) which would represent ALL Canadian workers in one organization. Trade unions were formed to demand: Higher pay Better training Shorter work week Right to collective bargaining (strength in numbers) 1

2 By 1911, Winnipeg was the third largest city in Canada (After Montreal & Toronto) It was also one of the most unionized The labour unrest started small, with members of the metal and building trades filing grievances over wages and working conditions, but it quickly caught fire Momentum overtook events, and the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council called for worker solidarity and a city-wide general strike. Of 96 unions, 94 joined the strike (the typographers and the police held out) Non unionized workers joined as well, as everyone from waiters to ushers walked off the jobs The city was under a siege of silence! 11:00am, May 15 th 1919: The city of Winnipeg was shut down. More than 30,000 workers: phone operators, milkmen, firefighters, trainmen, factory workers, streetcar operators, shippers, garbage collectors, street-sweepers all joined the strike and walked off the job The opposition: Citizens Committee of One Thousand Business leaders, politicians, industrialists led the fight against communism in Canada Called for the arrest of strike organizers Arthur Meighen (minister of justice) thought this was a good idea, but he had to admit that such actions were against the law. The solution? Change the law! Canada s Immigration Act and the Criminal Code were quickly revised The government can arrest, detain, and deport naturalized citizens on the mere suspicion of advocating revolution Armed with the new law, Meighen ordered a sweep of the city and a dozen men were arrested (sans bail) The people respond; strikers, veterans, women and children gathered on main street to protest the government s actions It turned into a riot; a tram was overturned and set on fire, windows were smashed, people were waving Canucks flags everywhere wait, wrong riot The Mounties responded and fired into the crowds one man was killed and 20 wounded - Bloody Saturday ended with over 80 arrests and by dusk, the army ruled the streets. Employees slowly began returning to work. The strike had lasted 43 days. Results? Remember was Gandhi said? Union movement suffered a setback for sure, some workers lost their jobs as a result, leaders were sent for long term prison sentences, but Long term the ideas born from the strike led to future social reform and workers rights.. and the formation of a new political party the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation or as we know it today, the NDP! Regionalism Concern of the various regions of the country with their own local problems An inescapable component of society, economy, and politics in Canada; We are a massive geographical country! Settlements scattered Different geographical regions (climate, topography, landscape, resources) Different values Different riches Different priorities 2

3 Regionalism in the 1920 s Eastern Canada: Maritimes were suffering post WWI: Population numbers were dwindling; less political power Businesses were closing (no more demand) Businesses were moving to prosperous Ontario & Québec (Canada s Industrial centre) Central Canada: Québec English / French relations are still tense: separatism is on the minds of many (this will really play out in the 1960s & 1970s more to come later!) Western Canada: Prairies weren t doing so well either: Tariffs still existed under MacDonald s National Policy which made external goods so expensive, you would buy Canadian (that s good, but only for manufacturers, not for farmers) Farmers wanted Free Trade so they could buy cheaper, U.S.-made machinery Farmers began forming their own political parties to respond to their needs: United Farmers Parties were gaining power in provincial legislatures Regionalism in the 1920 s The sentiment of regionalism was growing in the provinces while governments were assuming a larger role in Canadian life. Federal power increased as Ottawa has expanded its services and its economic presence. For example: The Old Age Pension Act (1926) The act was an acknowledgement that government had a role to play in providing a network of social services for its citizens (p. 55) Conclusion? Finding a balance between provincial, regional, and national interests has and continues to be a struggle in Canadian politics and Canadian society. 1841: Province of Canada created by merging Upper and Lower Canada 1853: The Canadian Currency Act allows Canada to adopt her own Currency 1867: British North America Act: Dominion of Canada created Parliament of Canada created Position of Prime Minister of Canada created Four Provincial governments created Governor of Canada is now styled "Governor-General Canada's supreme political authority rests with the Queen and her British Government. 1891: John Abbott becomes first Canadian-born Prime Minister. 1899: Canadian regiment deployed to fight for Britain in South African Boer War. 1914: Prime Minister Borden declares war, pledging Canada's support to "The Empire, Canadian Expeditionary Force represents Canada overseas 1920: Canada is permitted to join the League of Nations as an independent, free-voting member. 1922: Prime Minister Mackenzie King refuses to support Britain in its invasion of Turkey: The Chanak Crisis 1922: King George signs a proclamation granting Canada its first national symbols: a coat of arms and the national colors red and white. 1923: The UK government allows Canada to conduct an independent fishing treaty with the United States without British representatives, known as the Halibut Treaty 1925: King-Byng Crisis Non-confidence vote in the House was being threatened against King s Liberal government. He asks G.G. Byng to call another election before it can happen. Byng refuses at first, infuriating King. During the election that followed, King used the undemocratic card to gain sympathy: How could a non-elected BRITISH official deny the wishes of an elected CANADIAN representative? King wins, and puts the G.G. in his place forever. Result? G.G. more of a conventional role = less power of Britain over Canada. 1926: The Balfour Report Imperial Conference: all dominions (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) are present All request recognition of their autonomy (freedom of selfgovernment) Lord Balfour (British politician) published the Balfour report: Quote p. 56 Results: 1931: Statue of Westminster (law) British Empire becomes the British Commonwealth: Canada is now a country equal in status with Britain (no longer considered a colony!) Notable exception to the law: Canada could NOT change it s constitution (BNA Act) 3

4 Canada s First Peoples Discrimination and hostility still rampant: Aboriginal people still not classified as persons under the law Indian Act still alive and well: goal of assimilation Potlatch banned Treaties overruled by federal government (would take back land reserved for Aboriginal people) No vote (1949 in BC, 1960 for Canada!!!!) Reserves were largely poor, underdeveloped The last residential school didn t close until 1996!!!!!!!!! If you wanted Canadian rights, you had to relinquish all Indian rights (today referred to as Native claims) WWI veterans were largely ignored for their efforts African-Canadians Intolerance Racial segregation was a reality in Canada: schools, theatres, etc. Tolerance Edmonton refused to support segregation in swimming pools and public parks First union to accept black members: Brotherhood of Railway Workers Immigrants Intolerance Eastern Europeans watched closely (Red Scare) Strict Asian immigration restrictions (recall chapter 1) Tolerance Many businesses welcomed immigrants (because they would work for low wages.. Hmm.. Should this go on the other side??!?) Some relaxation on policies to increase population Manufacturers, Farmers, Industrialists Growth in exploitation of natural resources: Forest Mining (lead, zinc, silver, copper) Growth in manufacturing: Consumer goods: radios, appliances, automobiles etc. Growth in industry: Pulp & paper Hydro-electric (cheap energy!) U.S. Investments Prohibition Leading importer of Canadian resources (even back then!) U.S. companies invested all over Canada PRO: Business grew, economy grew, people prospered CON: A lot Canadian business sold-out or lost-out to American companies Canadian auto industry was replaced by Ford, Chrysler and G.M. who set up plants in Canada Conclusion? Arguably, while the Canadian primary industries thrived, the secondary industries suffered, ultimately it was the U.S. economy that benefited the most! 1920 prohibition wasn t working in Canada By 1921, alcohol became under provincial jurisdiction In the U.S. prohibition continued until 1933 Rum-running (smuggling of illegal alcohol) was big business for many Canadians 4

5 Urbanization & Innovation Growth of cities and suburbs and slums Highways Automobiles and street cars made it possible to commute Ford assembly line meant mass production: cheap & easy Model-T Ford ($300) Popular Culture (U.S. dominant) Radio: music, programming, Movies: Talkies Dancing: The Charleston etc. Fashion: The Flapper Sports: Baseball, boxing, rugby, curling, golf, hockey Urbanization & Innovation Art Group of Seven Toronto exhibition Broke free of traditional Canadian art Communication Telephones in homes was common by this point, so was eavesdropping Review of Learning Outcomes Describe the labour movement and women s movement in Canada following the war Explain regionalism in the context of the Interwar years Identify and describe the significance of events contributing to national autonomy during the 1920's Describe what was life was like for Canadians by the mid to late 20 s 5