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After the War

After the War. Canadian Identity Freedom at Last. Prime Minister Borden demonstrated the new sense of Canadian sovereignty at the Imperial War Conference of 1917.

barbara-orien
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After the War

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  1. After the War

  2. Canadian Identity Freedom at Last Prime Minister Borden demonstrated the new sense of Canadian sovereignty at the Imperial War Conference of 1917. He drafted a resolution stating that Canada and the other Dominions, were completely autonomous nations within an Imperial Commonwealth. Borden

  3. League of Nations • Canada also became a member of the League of Nations

  4. Effects of the War at Home • When the war ended the economy took a downturn • Economists were optimistic that this was simply a fluctuation in the market an would right itself with time • The economists were right • Canadians increasingly looked to the United States to establish political and economic links.

  5. Pick a Side • The war weakened the attachment of many Canadians towards Britain and Europe. • Many Canadians wanted Canada to follow the U.S. foreign policy of isolationism and to avoid becoming involved in European intrigues. • Canadians increasingly looked to the United States to establish political and economic links.

  6. American Influence • Canada became increasingly dependent on American investment and markets to drive the Canadian economy. • By 1922, American investment in Canada exceeded British investment, and by 1923, Canadians were exporting more to the United States than to Britain.

  7. Classical Liberalism: Laissez-faire Economy • After the War, the government became less involved in the economy and allowed business to flourish • By practicing Laissez-faire economics the business interest of the Canadian east grew • The market was left relatively unregulated.

  8. Classical Liberalism • Social issues such as poverty and unemployment were deemed to be the concerns of private charities and churches, not government

  9. Discontent on the Prairies • This led to some unrest among prairie framers • High tariffs that protected the eastern industrialists served to limit markets for Canadian grain and increase the cost of machinery • These policies led to United Farmer Parties becoming popular throughout the country

  10. Discontent on the Prairies • Many in the West felt that they were victims of an unholy alliance of national governments reflecting the interests of Central Canada, the C.P.R. and the grain trading companies.

  11. The Commies are coming • Labour movements also gained support • Because of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia many people distrusted the labourmovement in Canada • This was known as a “Red Scare”

  12. The Winnipeg General Strike • In fact the OBU (One Big Union) did follow a Marxist doctrine and promised a revolution in Canada • The OBU called for General Strikes across Canada • On May 15, 1919 the first and only General Strike took began in Winnipeg • Metal workers demanded better pay and a shorter work week

  13. The Winnipeg General Strike • To support the metal workers 30 000 other men left their jobs • Only the railway workers remained on the job • The leaders of the strike were R.B. Russell, Ernest Robinson, and William Ivens • They became known as the “Winnipeg Soviet”

  14. The Winnipeg General Strike • The strike included hydro workers, firemen, and milk men • Some essential public service workers did return to their jobs eventually

  15. Strike Breakers

  16. Aftermath of the Strike • The Strike was motivated by high prices and low wages after the war • The Soviet Revolution was still a recent event and no one realized the difficulties involved with it • The Strike was the start of a shift in political and social thinking

  17. Discussion • What are some strikes that you have heard of? • What was the cause of these strikes? • What was the outcome of these strikes?

  18. Debate Activity • I want you to get into partners • Then find another group and get into groups of four • One group will represent the Workers and the other group will represent the Employers • Viewpoint A will argue: • Workers should have the right to higher pay and safer working conditions, things need to change • Viewpoint B will argue: • The workers do not have rights and to keep the economy booming things must stay the same

  19. Class Discussion • To what extent should employers be concerned with the well being of their employees? • Should the government play a part in controlling the economy? • What effects does this have on our Canadian Identity?

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