The Development of Canada through the Great Depression October 29, 1929, “Black Tuesday”, was the beginning of the end to the roaring twenties. After a decade of unlimited growth and prosperity, the drastic crash in the stock market on Black Tuesday would set a continuous downward trend that would last more than six years. While the Great Depression was a time of suffering and hardships, it was also an important step in developing Canada as a country; Canadians rose to the challenge and worked towards finding solutions to the harsh economic situation. Everyday Canadians learned of how to survive in the severe conditions and displayed the role of the government in bitter economic times. Richard Bedford Bennett’s failed policies
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In Calgary, the Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), led by J. S. Woodsworth, was a coalition of farmers, labour leaders, and university teachers. They worked towards reform and a replacement of the capitalist system, supporting the establishment of a welfare state with protection such as pensions, health and welfare insurance, a children’s allowance, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation. Another measure proposed by the CCF was nationalization, or public ownership, of important industries and intuitions such as public utilities and transportation companies (Fielding 136). In Alberta, the Social Credit Party was almost the exact opposite of the CCF. They argued that the economic depression could be solved by promoting more consumption by giving credit to the citizens. This would allow greater circulation of money in the economy and revive the economy. This was highly appealing to Alberta farmers who required large amounts of borrowed money to operate their farms. The CCF would later form the New Democratic Party (NDP) (Fielding 138). Another party formed in response to unemployment and severe economic hardships was the Union Nationale. Lead by Maurice Duplessis, the Union Nationale was formed by former conservatives, liberals, and Quebec nationalists. They gained a large amount …show more content…
Radio was becoming increasingly accessible and popular. In 1936, Mackenzie King founded the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in order to promote Canadian artists and establish a distinctly Canadian network. Even with the CBC, American broadcasts were still incredibly popular. Canadians were captured by the comedies, dramas, sports, and romance shows. Hockey Night in Canada was another popular radio program as sports became more widespread, including female teams (Fielding 142). Motion Pictures also held many technological advancements during the 1930s with the advent of technicolour and the use of sound. In addition, in 1938 Disney produced the first full-length animated cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. These movies provided an escape for Canadians into thrilling tales of romance, comedy, and horror. (Fielding, 142) The center of film development was undoubtedly in Hollywood, and Canadians flocked to see Hollywood blockbusters. The growing film and art industry also provided an avenue for Canadians wishing to establish themselves in the industry. Many Canadians headed to Hollywood, establishing a trend of Canadian artists that is still present today. One of these artists was Montreal’s Norma Shearer, who won an Oscar for The Divorcee. Canada was not known for their movies, but the
In Calgary, the Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), led by J. S. Woodsworth, was a coalition of farmers, labour leaders, and university teachers. They worked towards reform and a replacement of the capitalist system, supporting the establishment of a welfare state with protection such as pensions, health and welfare insurance, a children’s allowance, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation. Another measure proposed by the CCF was nationalization, or public ownership, of important industries and intuitions such as public utilities and transportation companies (Fielding 136). In Alberta, the Social Credit Party was almost the exact opposite of the CCF. They argued that the economic depression could be solved by promoting more consumption by giving credit to the citizens. This would allow greater circulation of money in the economy and revive the economy. This was highly appealing to Alberta farmers who required large amounts of borrowed money to operate their farms. The CCF would later form the New Democratic Party (NDP) (Fielding 138). Another party formed in response to unemployment and severe economic hardships was the Union Nationale. Lead by Maurice Duplessis, the Union Nationale was formed by former conservatives, liberals, and Quebec nationalists. They gained a large amount …show more content…
Radio was becoming increasingly accessible and popular. In 1936, Mackenzie King founded the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in order to promote Canadian artists and establish a distinctly Canadian network. Even with the CBC, American broadcasts were still incredibly popular. Canadians were captured by the comedies, dramas, sports, and romance shows. Hockey Night in Canada was another popular radio program as sports became more widespread, including female teams (Fielding 142). Motion Pictures also held many technological advancements during the 1930s with the advent of technicolour and the use of sound. In addition, in 1938 Disney produced the first full-length animated cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. These movies provided an escape for Canadians into thrilling tales of romance, comedy, and horror. (Fielding, 142) The center of film development was undoubtedly in Hollywood, and Canadians flocked to see Hollywood blockbusters. The growing film and art industry also provided an avenue for Canadians wishing to establish themselves in the industry. Many Canadians headed to Hollywood, establishing a trend of Canadian artists that is still present today. One of these artists was Montreal’s Norma Shearer, who won an Oscar for The Divorcee. Canada was not known for their movies, but the