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Dev - History 20s and 30s Summative
5
The 20s and 30s
Progression or Decline?
+2 +1 0 -1 -2
Conclusion
Dev - History Unit 2 Summative
In conclusion, with a mere three positive changes and six negative changes, the 1920s and 1930s were an overwhelmingly negative period of time.
Winnipeg General Strike
General Winnipeg Strike
1919
Proceeding the first world war, soldiers came back in a state of economic hardship, with housing and everyday necessities increasing in price as a result of inflation. To add to that, unemployment was high and jobs were limited. With workers desiring better living conditions, a strike and conflict was imminent. This resulted in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. It was the largest in Canadian history, with more than 30,000 workers taking to the streets and resulted in arrests, injuries, and the deaths of two workers (Reilly 2021).
Rationale
While the General Winnipeg Strike was of great significance in the future fight for worker’s right, the immediate impact for the 1920s and 30s were limited. It impacted those in only one city and only for a few days. However, it signified that the government was willing to use force to keep workers working. This use of force, combined with the economic hardships of the time, indicated decline during this time period. As a result, this event is given a rank of -1.
Mandatory Residential Schools
Mandatory Residential Schools
1920
In the 1920s, residential schools were already being used extensively to facilitate the cultural genocide conducted by the Canadian government of the time. In 1920, it was made mandatory for indigenous children to attend residential schools. At the time, education was seen as the most efficient method to assimilate indigenous culture. Indigenous children were separated from their families, given "Christian names" and were prohibited from following their own cultures, with harsh punishments if they didn't abide by these rules (Miller 2023).
Rationale
This is a significant time of decline for indigenous people. Families would be torn apart, and former students were left isolated unable to relate to their past families. As a result, this event can have a negative two rank; however, it can be argued that the Indigenous population comprised only a small portion of Canada’s total population and formed only one piece of the puzzle when determining progress or decline. For instance, more severe events such as the great depression impacted almost all Canadians, and the negative two rank should be reserved for these events. Therefore, this event is ranked -1.5.
Chinese Exclusion Act
Chinese Exclusion Act
1923
Prior to the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, Chinese immigrants were required to pay a “head tax”, initially costing $50 and gradually increased tenfold by 1903, now costing $500. It was intended to limit Chinese immigration to Canada in favour of European and particularly British immigrants. In 1923, Chinese immigration was completely banned. Many immigrants who paid the head tax were hoping to work in Canada and save enough money to get the rest of their families to Canada, but these dreams were erased when this occurred (McRae 2017).
Rationale
The blunt racial discrimination committed by the government had radically reduced Chinese immigration to Canada. The shameless use of force is an indication of decline for the Chinese people, and signifies that Canada’s government openly made racist decisions. It impacted thousands of Chinese immigrants and this form of discrimination lasted for decades proceeding the 1930s. As a result, this event can be given a ranking of -1.
Economic Recovery
Economic Recovery
1923
Due to several international factors, the Canadian economy was beginning to recover by the end of 2023.
After the tragic destruction that the first world war brought upon Europe, there was an urgent need to recover and rebuild the war-torn continent. In contrast, Canada hadn't suffered significant economic and infrastructural damage in comparison. As a result, many European countries looked towards importing from Canada and the United States to rebuild. By 1924, Canadian exports to Europe had notably increased, resulting in Canadian economic recovery.
Rationale
This period of recovery was a significant positive sign of growth for Canadians. As a result of these increased imports, companies were growing and the stock market was resultingly booming. This is demonstrated by the statistics demonstrated in the picture on the right, with the stock market starting to take off during 1924. However, this growth was not long lasting, with the depression removing all the gains over the past years. As a result, a rank of +1.5 was determined for this event, as it benefited most Canadians in some way up until 1929.
Stock Market Crash
Stock Market Crash
1929
Up until 1929, the stock market was all the rage. Many people would invest significant amounts of money into it; thus increasing demand and raising stock prices. On top of that, Canada was experiencing a time of prosperity, with unemployment reaching relatively low levels during that time and business was booming. As a result, when it all came crashing down in late 1929 and the early 30s, it was completely unexpected. Many people found themselves completely deprived of all their money, while some owed money as a result of spending more than they can afford, using loans. People were left homeless and unemployed, while some tragically resorted to taking their own lives (Glover 2021).
Rationale
The stock market crash impacted most if not all Canadians to at least some extent. Thousands had lost their jobs and it impacted the entirety of the country negatively, and the previously prospering economy was in shambles. It not only had an impact on millions, but it also had a long lasting impact. As a result, this event is given a ranking of -2.
Election of R.B Bennet
Election of
R.B Bennet
1930
In 1930, the Conservative Party won the federal elections and R.B Bennet, the leader of the Conservative Party, was elected as prime minister. He had promised to improve the situation during the beginning Great Depression such as the Unemployment Relief Act. However, he underestimated the severity and longevity of the depression. His attempts to combat the unemployment rate of the time amounted to a mere strengthening of tariffs. As a result, things did not change much to improve the situation for most Canadians (Anderson 2023).
Rationale
R.B. Bennet’s lack of action during the depression and skyrocketing unemployment did little to help the millions of Canadians impacted by the depression. The depression remained a major problem throughout his duration in office. Additionally, not only did the election and resulting inaction of R.B. Bennet do little to prevent or lessen the impact of the depression during the entirety of his term, but it also negatively impacted millions of Canadians at the time. Because this event in particular was not long lasting (R.B Bennet's term only lasted for five years), this event is not the most significant and is given a rank of -1.
Statute of Westminister
Statute of Westminster
1931
Having been a dominion of the British Empire, prior to the 1930s, it was unclear of Canada’s foreign autonomy. On multiple occasions, Canadians and other dominions were given the opportunity to make their own choices in terms of foreign affairs. As a result, it was necessary to clear this up on paper, resulting in several conversations in the subject in Imperial Conferences throughout the 20s and early 30s. By 1931, the Statute of Westminster was ratified by the British government, granting full legal autonomy to dominions such as Canada (Government of Canada 2021).
Rationale
The autonomy given by the British Empire through the Statute of Westminster was of notable significance because it gave Canada the authority to make its own foreign decisions. This autonomy is still retained by Canada today and the decision to implement it applied to all Canadians. For instance, the Canadian declaration of war during the Second World War was a decision made by the Canadian government itself. As a result, this event is given a rank of +1.
On-To-Ottawa Trek
The poor living conditions in relief camps left many labourers unhappy and angry at the government. This in part led to the On-To-Ottawa Trek in June 1935, where about 1,000 workers left Vancouver en route to Ottawa on freight trains. As they went on, they gradually gained more followers, eventually reaching two thousand. The RCMP desired to stop this movement, and it was expected for them to intercept the strikers in the city of Regina. Eventually, the trek culminated with a large conflict between police and the strikers, eventually leading to the death of one police (Waiser 2006).
On-To-Ottawa Trek
1935
Rationale
The On-To-Ottawa Trek failed to accomplish anything meaningful and led to violence between strikers and the police, leading to a tragic fatality. While it did not impact many Canadians directly, this can be an event of decline because it signifies the government’s stance on strikes such as this. As a result, this event is ranked -1.
Election of Makenzie King
By 1935, R.B. Bennet’s term was approaching its end. By this time, many Canadians saw him as incapable of supporting the population during the Great Depression. The liberal party during the 1935 election sought to change this, promising several new ideas that were intended to help the Canadian population. As a result, they won by a landslide during the election. Mackenzie King had promised to introduce unemployment insurance, something that was completely new to Canada at the time (Whitney 2022).
Election of Makenzie King
1935
Rationale
While on the surface this may seem like a significant positive change, the reality was that Makenzie King remained reluctant to help the unemployed and primarily supported businesses. Nevertheless, he eventually introduced unemployment insurance which was a great change for millions of Canadians at the time and had a significant impact on Canada’s future, with unemployment insurance being granted by the government even today. Because of his minor impact on Canada at the time and the changes still in place today, this event is given a rank of +1.
Canada goes to War
By 1939, Hitler had invaded Poland and began the Second World War. As a result, Canada joined the war on the side of the Allied powers in late 1939. While this led to the deaths of thousands, it allowed the recovery of the Canadian economy with employment rates lowering significantly. The first Canadian soldiers started arriving in Britain after about two months after the declaration of war.
Canada goes
to War
1939
Rationale
The Second World War had a profound impact on Canada and the rest of the world, impacting millions in a negative way. However, it also led to the recovery of the Canadian economy. With workers being required to support the war effort, unemployment was lowering and the Great Depression was reaching its end. Overall, the second world war was important for Canada’s economic recovery but it also led to the deaths of thousands of Canadians. Therefore, the ranking of this event is +0.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Despite a few positive developments like the brief economic recovery of the mid-20s and the Statute of Westminister, Canada's history was plagued with negative events and periods during the 1920s and 1930s. The Chinese Exclusion Act's passage and the implementation of compulsory residential schools revealed the blunt racism the Canadian government promoted in its decision-making, signalling a sharp decline in societal values. The temporary economic recovery and growth throughout the mid-20s was significant for its time; however, it was short-lived with the depression bringing suffering to most Canadians mere years later. The economic crisis was made worse by Bennet and his government’s inadequate response, which sparked protests, strikes, and numerous fatalities. The start of World War II ultimately helped Canada's economy, but it also caused a sizable number of fatalities, therefore negating its upside. These negative events fueled significant prejudice in Canada and led to unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and anger among many. It led to strikes involving thousands such as the Winnipeg General Strike and the On-To-Ottawa Trek in 1935 and led to the Liberal Party’s landslide win in the 1935 elections. Despite pushing for some reforms, Mackenzie King remained reluctant to help most of the population. These negative events impacted millions of Canadians and had some significant long-lasting effects on our world today, such as intergenerational trauma among the Indigenous population. This indicates historical significance and it is therefore clear from looking at the 1920s and 1930s that everyday Canadians were primarily negatively affected by developments and hardships during this time.