Canadian history 11 - 20

What the famous 5 did

Fought for women to be legally recognized as "persons" so they could be appointed to the Senate.

The famous 5

Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney.

Importance of the Person’s Case

1929 ruling by Britain’s Privy Council that women were “persons” under the law. Allowed women to be appointed to the Canadian Senate and expanded gender equality in politics.

First female senator

Cairine Wilson 1930

Black Tuesday

October 29, 1929 – the stock market crashed. Marked the beginning of the Great Depression with widespread economic collapse.

Causes of the Great Depression

Overproduction of goods, Too much credit buying, High tariffs reducing trade, Stock market speculation, Drought in the Prairies (Dust Bowl) ,Falling demand and declining prices

Relief Camps

Government-run camps for unemployed single men.

Why relief camps are bad

Offered shelter and food in exchange for hard labour at low pay; criticized as isolating and exploitative.

On-to-Ottawa Trek

1935 protest by relief camp workers who boarded trains to bring demands for better conditions to Ottawa. Ended in Regina Riot when the RCMP stopped the protest; exposed growing dissatisfaction with government policies

Prime Minister during the Great Depression

R.B. Bennett (1930–1935). Criticized for failing to help; people mocked him with terms like “Bennett buggies” and “Bennett blankets”

Statute of Westminster (1931)

Gave Canada full legal freedom from Britain in foreign affairs and law-making

Canada declaring war in 1939 by itself

Marked Canada's independence in foreign policy. Parliament debated and decided, showing autonomy from Britain.