1. The armistace of November 11, 1918, brought to an end almost four years of humans killing humans. It was great that the war was over. Many people had a difficult time adjusting though.
What was post-WWI Canadian society like? Your answer should include the following:
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life for soldiers returning to Canada after the war
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life for women in Canada
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the labour movement (including the Winnipeg General Strike)
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Communism in Canada
2. It has been said that Canada's participation in WWI helped it become an autonomous nation. Examine some of the key events that helped Canada become a more independent country.
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Canada's role in the Paris Peace Conference
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Chanak Crisis
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Halibut Treaty
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King-Byng Crisis
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Balfour Report (made official by the Statute of Westiminster)
3. What was the Roaring Twenties? Provide examples to support your response.
4. Many historians have argued that Canada was becoming more independent from Great Britain during the 1920's but at the same time it was becoming more dependent on the United States. The majority of US influence in the Canadian economy was legal but some of the activity was not legal (bootlegging across the border). Why was their a fear of "Americanization" in Canada? Was this fear justified? What did Canadian officials do to combat "Americanization"?
5. Canada prides itself on being a multicultural country. There are numerous examples in our past though of outright racism in Canada. This was especially true in the 1920's in Canada. Examine racism in Canada during the 1920's. You may want to discuss the Chinese Exclusion Act, the treatment of First Nations people and the pressence of the Klu Klux Klan.
I don't know Canadian history, but you should be able to find ideas in well phrased Google searches:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=canada+post-wwi&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=canadian+culture+after+wwi&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1
(skip the first two links)
B\Also, be sure to go back into your textbook and course materials or use a good search engine. http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/
2. To answer the question about post-WWI Canadian society, we need to look at the specific areas mentioned: life for soldiers returning to Canada after the war, life for women in Canada, the labor movement (including the Winnipeg General Strike), and communism in Canada.
Life for soldiers returning to Canada after the war was a mix of challenges and opportunities. Many soldiers faced physical and psychological wounds from the war, which affected their ability to reintegrate into civilian life. The government provided assistance through programs like vocational training, health care, and pension plans, but the transition was still difficult for many veterans.
Life for women in Canada went through significant changes during the post-WWI period. The war had temporarily opened up employment opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, but after the war, there was pressure for women to return to their pre-war roles as homemakers. However, the experience of working outside the home during the war helped fuel the women's suffrage movement and other efforts towards gender equality.
The post-WWI period saw a rise in the labor movement in Canada, including the landmark Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. Workers across various industries, including metalworkers, building trades, and railroad workers, went on strike to demand better wages, working conditions, and the right to collective bargaining. The strike was met with strong opposition from the government and resulted in arrests and clashes with the police. While it was ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its immediate goals, it had a significant impact in raising awareness of labor issues and promoting worker solidarity.
Communism also emerged as a political force in Canada during this period. The Russian Revolution in 1917 inspired some Canadians to embrace socialist and communist ideologies. The Communist Party of Canada was formed in 1921 and sought to advocate for workers' rights and challenge capitalist systems. However, the party faced government surveillance and repression due to concerns about communist influence.
3. The Roaring Twenties refers to the period of cultural and societal change in the 1920s characterized by economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social liberation. It was a time of cultural transformation and modernization.
Some examples of the Roaring Twenties include:
- Economic prosperity: The 1920s experienced significant economic growth, with rising wages and increased consumer spending. Industries such as automobiles, radios, and appliances thrived.
- Jazz Age: The Roaring Twenties saw the popularization of jazz music, which became synonymous with the era. It reflected social and cultural changes, with dances like the Charleston becoming popular.
- Women's liberation: The 1920s marked a significant shift in women's roles and the pursuit of gender equality. Women gained the right to vote in Canada in 1918, and the 1920s saw the emergence of the "flapper" culture, characterized by young women embracing a more liberal lifestyle, challenging societal norms, and breaking away from traditional gender roles.
- Prohibition: In the United States, the 18th Amendment introduced nationwide prohibition, leading to the rise of illegal alcohol production and distribution known as bootlegging. This era contributed to the growth of organized crime, such as the activities of gangsters like Al Capone.
4. The fear of "Americanization" in Canada during the 1920s stemmed from concerns about the overwhelming influence of American culture, economy, and political systems. Many Canadians worried that this influence would erode their national identity and diminish their autonomy.
The fear of Americanization was partly justified as Canada experienced increased economic integration with the United States. Canadian businesses faced competition from American companies, and American investment in Canada grew. This led to concerns that Canada's economy was becoming dependent on the United States.
To combat Americanization, Canadian officials implemented various measures to protect Canadian culture and industries. They established protectionist policies to shield Canadian industries from American competition, promoted Canadian arts and literature, and encouraged the development of Canadian content in media, such as the establishment of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 1936.
5. The 1920s in Canada saw instances of racism, particularly towards marginalized groups such as Chinese immigrants, First Nations people, and the presence of the Ku Klux Klan.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, passed in 1923, severely restricted Chinese immigration to Canada, displaying racist attitudes and discriminatory policies. Chinese immigrants were subjected to prejudice, discriminatory treatment, and faced various barriers to integration into Canadian society.
First Nations people also faced racism and discrimination during the 1920s. The government continued to implement assimilation policies, including the forced attendance of Indigenous children in residential schools, aimed at eradicating Indigenous cultures and languages.
Additionally, the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization, gained a presence in Canada during the 1920s. The Klan targeted various minority groups, including immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and African Americans, promoting a message of hate and intolerance.
These instances of racism reflect the prevalent attitudes and discriminatory practices of the time. While Canada prides itself on being a multicultural country today, it is essential to acknowledge and learn from the racist chapters of its past to strive for a more inclusive and equitable future.