After the War

1. After the War

2. Canada • During the war, Canada conducted itself with honor • After the war, Canada was invited to the peace table as an independent nation – not a British colony • Canada also became a member of the League of Nations

3. Effects of the War at Home • During the War • The Canadian economy was booming due to the war • Wheat prices were high and Canada was the leading wheat exporter of the world • After the War • Economy took a downturn • Few factory jobs for men and women • Soldiers had nothing to return to • European countries began producing their own wheat – closing a major market for Canadian farmers

4. Labour Unrest • The government became less involved in the economy and allowed business to flourish • This led to unhappy prairie farmers • High tariffs protected the eastern industrialists but limited the grain markets and increased the cost of machinery • United Farmers Parties became popular throughout the country

5. The Winnipeg General Strike • Western Canada • In March 1919, labour groups combined to form a branch of the One Big Union (OBU) • The OBU called for General Strikes across Canada • On May 15, 1919 the first and only General Strike began in Winnipeg

6. The Times, May 20, 1919 (Toronto) Winnipeg is a warning to the rest of Canada. The object of the One Big Union is plain. It is the aim of the Reds who dominate that organization to use mass-power, in defiance of agreements, for the overturning of organized society.The Times agrees with Major-General McRae that there should be a "clean-up" of the revolutionary agitators and foreign undesirables who infest the country.

7. The Gazette, May 17, 1919 (Montreal) The strike which is in progress in Winnipeg presents features which merit serious consideration. The trouble, which was confined previously to the metal and building trades, has become general. From fifteen to twenty-five thousand employees have left their work, and all branches of commercial and industrial activities of the city are affected.

8. The Winnipeg General Strike • Metal workers demanded more moola and a shorter work week • 30 000 other men left their jobs to support the metal workers • Only 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 • During the six week General Strike, the city remained peaceful for the most part

9. The End of the Strike • Sunday, June 21, 1919 • One of the last days of the strike and saw a violent clash between RCMP and strikers • Two men were killed by police and eight labour leaders were arrested • The strike ended June 29, 1919

13. Aftermath of the Strike • Some strikers in Winnipeg were arrested and deported after the strike • The Federal Government passed Section 98 of the Criminal Code • Outlawing organizations who wanted to obtain “governmental, industrial or economic change” by force • Although the strike was a defeat for the workers, it drew attention to economic and social conditions for workers and encouraged the development of new political parties that could address these concerns