1920s Canadian History: Economy, Society, and Indigenous Rights

Spanish Flu Epidemic

Influenza turned into epidemic.

When did the Spanish Flu epidemic begin?

Began in 1917, epidemic in 1918 and ended in 1920.

Where did the Spanish Flu originate?

Originated in China, recognized in Spain, spread globally.

Impact of Spanish Flu on population

Illness killed 20-22 million people and infected ⅓ of population.

How did the Spanish Flu spread?

Flu spread in trenches, followed the soldiers home.

What was used to move the dead during the Spanish Flu?

Trollery cars were used to move the dead.

What challenges did woodworkers face during the Spanish Flu?

Woodworkers struggled to meet the demand for coffins.

Home remedies used during the Spanish Flu

Mothballs, lard, tree resins, mustard.

What did doctors try as remedies during the Spanish Flu?

Doctors tried baking soda, milk, and heroin.

What was the response of some people to wearing masks during the Spanish Flu?

Some refused to wear masks.

Who invented the vaccine for the Spanish Flu?

Connaught Laboratories invented vaccine by late 1918, but no guarantee it would work.

How did the flu spread to remote areas?

Flu spread to remote areas by rains, roads, and water routes.

Mortality rate of Indigenous communities during the Spanish Flu

Indigenous communities had a mortality rate of 1-10.

Economic boom in Canada during the 1920s

American companies began to invest in Canadian resources.

What was the impact of car production in Canada during the 1920s?

Canada became the world's second largest vehicle producer and a major exporter of automobiles and auto parts.

Impact of car introduction on urbanization

People can live farther from work, leading to increased demand for streets, highways, and freeways.

Consumerism in Canada during the 1920s

Canadians had money to spend on leisure, with advertisements encouraging spending.

Stock Market trends in Canada during the 1920s

People began to invest in the stock market, many buying stocks on margin.

Prohibition in Canada during the 1920s

Many provinces in Canada banned alcohol, but laws were not strict regarding home consumption.

Rise of spectator sports in Canada during the 1920s

Rise in popularity of spectator sports, including the first radio play-by-play in 1923.

What were 'Talkies'?

Moving pictures that arrived in 1927, following silent films.

Challenges faced by the Canadian film industry

Canadian film industry could not compete with Hollywood.

Discovery of insulin

Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin.

Vaccines for Tuberculosis

1925 National Research Council began making vaccines for tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis as a leading cause of death

Prior to vaccines, tuberculosis was a leading cause of death for 20-50 year olds.

Jazz

Black American style of music.

Famous Jazz Artists

Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie.

Flappers

Female subculture of women who went against societal expectations of feminine behavior.

Flapper Fashion

Wore makeup and beaded dresses, with short 'boyish' bobs.

Flapper Activities

Went to bars, clubs, and speakeasies; smoked in public, drank alcohol, drove their own cars, dated, and even kissed before marriage.

The Group of Seven

Artists aimed to create a unique and distinctly Canadian style of art, breaking away from European traditions.

Members of The Group of Seven

Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, Frank Johnston, and Frederick Varley.

Indian Act

Legislation that included restrictions on Indian Status.

Loss of Indian Status

Women who married a non-Status Indian lost her status; had to give up status if they became a doctor, lawyer, or church minister.

Voting and Indian Status

If you wanted to vote, you must give up status.

Status Loss Duration

If you left Canada for four years or more, you lost status.

Prohibited Indigenous Traditions

Traditional dances, celebrations, and powwows were prohibited.

Legal Restrictions

Indigenous peoples could not hire lawyers to negotiate treaties.

Assimilation

Policy that involved residential schools and replacing traditional leaders with residential school graduates.

Indigenous Activism

Indigenous veterans returned to unfair conditions with no voting rights or veteran benefits.

Frederisk Onondeyoh Loft

Tried to form League of Indians to protect Indigenous rights of veterans; Department of Indian Affairs disallowed it.

Six Nations Recognition

Wanted the Six Nations recognized as an independent state with no ties to Canada.

Cayuga Chief Deskaheh

Leader of the Six Nations Council of the Iroquois Confederacy who tried to bring the issue of Indigenous Self-Determination to the League of Nations in 1923.

Racist Organizations

Included Anti-Black, Anti-Semitic, and Anti-Catholic groups.

The Klu Klux Klan

So powerful that they affected the results of the 1929 election in Saskatchewan.

The Orange Order

A group involved in prejudice against immigrants.

Rural Ontario/Prairies

Angry at the increasing growth and power of the cities.

The West

Huge economy meant a strong voice in parliament.

Maritime Provinces

Poorer than the rest of Canada and felt their concerns were not addressed by parliament since their small population = less representation.

Quebec

Boom in pulp, paper and mining.

The Halibut Treaty

March, 1919, a Canadian-American Fisheries Conference.

Causes of the Great Depression

Overproduction: Companies made too many goods, and less people were starting to buy.

Bennett's New Deal

Unemployment Relief Act (1930): $20 million for work creation programs and unemployment insurance.

On-to-Ottawa Trek

1935: 1200 striking relief camp workers in British Columbia boarded a freight train to Ottawa to protest.

Canadian attitude towards immigration during the Great Depression

Immigrants were 'taking jobs' and were refused relief during Great Depression.

The end of the Great Depression

The increase of jobs and demand of wartime production for World War 2 ended the Great Depression.