Depressing Politics: Canadian Politics in the 1920s

1. Depressing Politics: Canadian Politics in the 1920s

2. Primary Political Powers: Liberals in a hurry. Liberals Progressive Party Duh Conservatives Reconstruction Party Again, duh. Social Credit Party CCF Maybe the elite shouldn’t have so much power…. We give you $

3. Yes, he does look a little zombie-like. Liberals: The governing party before the depression. Led by the famous William Lyon Mackenzie King. Came to power again after the conservatives mega-failed under Bennett. Today, it is the opposition party.

4. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry. Conservatives: Seized power from the liberals at the beginning of the depression. Lack of public confidence in R. B. Bennett (party leader) led to its downfall in the next election. Today it is the governing party.

5. CCF The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction. In 1944, it became the first socialist government in North America (based in Saskatchewan). In 1961, it disbanded and was replaced by the New Democratic Party. The CCF aimed to alleviate the suffering of the Great Depression through economic reform and public "co-operation". In its first election in 1935, seven CCF MPs were elected to the House of Commons. Eight were elected in the following election in 1940. But the party was divided with the outbreak of World War II: Woodsworth was an uncompromising pacifist, and this upset many supporters of the Canadian war effort. The party won a critical York South by-election in February 1942, and in the process prevented the Conservative leader, former Prime Minister Arthur Meighen, from entering the House of Commons. In 1943, the Ontario CCF became the official opposition in that province, and in 1944, the Saskatchewan CCF formed the first socialist government in North America with Tommy Douglas as premier.

6. Progressive Party: Originally formed to support farmers rights. Led federally by Thomas Crerar Came out of nowhere to win a surprise victory in a 1919 Ontario Provincial election. Involved in provincial politics in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. Became very popular quickly because of the size of Canada’s rural population. Began quite liberal, but drifted more conservative when re-established as the PC (Progressive Conservative) Party.

7. Reconstruction Party: Founded by ex-conservative Henry Stevens. Cabinet minister in both Meighen and Bennett’s conservative governments. More socialist view of government involvement in the economy led to his abandonment of the conservative party. Stole conservative votes (infuriating them, but naturally pleasing liberals) Disbanded when Stevens rejoined conservatives in 1938.

8. Social Credit Party: Formed in 1935, stealing many votes from the Progressive Party. Founded by “Bible Bill” (William) Aberhart. Although its policies regarding economic development were more socialist, in truth, the social credit idea was more of a capitalist idea (since the money was not going directly to the poor, but being spent by them.) Technically, it was conservative. Faded away after 1980 election because of failure to win even a single seat. Yes, he does look quite stoned.

9. Canadian Fascist Party Had a small following, about on par with the communists. Wiped out at the inception of WWII Practically impossible to find information on, probably because the gov’t or the school is blocking their sites :P The Little Guys: Canadian Communist Party Still active today, but very minor. Posed a major threat to existing establishment What I assume to be their symbol

10. Political Timeline of the Decade: 1920: • Canada helps found the League of Nations • Royal Northwest Mounted Police become RCMP • Natives given the right to vote! • Women became eligible to sit in the house of commons.

11. First woman elected to parliament? I dunno… she looks a lot like a man to me… 1921: Alberta elections result in a majority provincial government held by the Progressive Party! Canadian Communist Party formed! Mackenzie King gives women the right to vote, which helps him win the next election. Agnes Macphail becomes the first woman elected to Parliament.

12. 1923: Chinese Exclusion Act passed (No Chinese Immigrants) in both Canada and the United States. Department of Defence created

13. 1925: Federal election: Arthur Meighen wins a minority government. Yes, he does look like he has something shoved up his -

14. 1926: The King-Byng affair. King resigns as Prime Minister. Meighen fails to win house confidence! And election is forced. King wins the second election. :S British dominions are given official autonomy. The British Dominions

15. 1927: Canada Pension Act Yeah, it was a pretty boring year…

16. 1928: Supreme Court rules that women are not persons (but decision is reversed a year later by Britain) (So basically, the world population is halved…) A cool world population graph, mostly used because I couldn’t find a better image to represent this.

17. 1929: Ottawa's sewer system explodes. (really) Women again become persons (so the world population instantly doubles). New York Stock Exchange crashes the same day… I have to apologize to Ms. Rollins, but this kinda cripples the feminist position.