1920s-1930s

Why is the term 'Roaring Twenties' misleading for many Canadians?

It mainly reflects middle-class experiences, while most working-class Canadians struggled with low wages, poverty, and limited access to new wealth and technology.

How much income did a family of four need for basic comfort in 1929?

About $1,200-$1,500 per year.

What percentage of workers earned below $1,000 annually?

About 60% of men and over 80% of women.

What does income inequality in the 1920s show?

Wealth was concentrated among a small group, while most Canadians remained poor.

What was the weekly wage of a factory worker in 1927?

About $19.11 per week.

Why couldn't most workers afford major appliances?

Items like refrigerators and stoves cost several weeks of wages, making them inaccessible to average workers.

What was the main difference between urban and rural life in the 1920s?

Urban areas had modern conveniences (electricity, plumbing), while rural areas lacked these.

What percentage of rural homes had electricity?

About 20%.

What does the rural-urban gap reveal?

Economic progress mainly benefited cities, leaving rural Canadians behind.

What is a labour union?

An organization of workers formed to improve wages and working conditions.

What is a strike?

When workers stop working to pressure employers into meeting demands.

What caused the Winnipeg General Strike (1919)?

Low wages, unemployment, inflation, poor working conditions, and frustration after WWI.

Who opposed the Winnipeg General Strike?

Business leaders and politicians (Citizens' Committee of 1000).

What was 'Bloody Saturday'?

A violent clash where police attacked strikers, killing one person and injuring many.

What were the consequences of the Winnipeg General Strike?

Workers returned to work (short-term defeat), leaders arrested, growth of labour rights and political movements (CCF → NDP).

What was Prohibition?

The banning of alcohol sales and distribution.

Why was Prohibition introduced?

To reduce crime, domestic abuse, and moral decline.

What is a speakeasy?

Illegal bar selling alcohol.

What is bootlegging?

Illegal production and distribution of alcohol.

What were unintended consequences of Prohibition?

Rise of organized crime, corruption, continued alcohol use.

What was segregation?

Separation of people based on race.

How were Black Canadians affected in education?

Separate schools existed; some universities banned Black students from programs.

How were Black Canadians affected in housing?

Faced restrictions on buying/renting homes and were forced into segregated communities.

What was the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Canada?

A racist group promoting white supremacy, active in the 1920s.

What was the purpose of residential schools?

To assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture.

What were conditions like in residential schools?

Forced separation from families, banned languages, abuse and poor education.

What was the government's goal toward Indigenous peoples?

Assimilation and elimination of Indigenous culture.

What law limited Indigenous political activism in 1927?

It became illegal to organize politically or hire lawyers for land claims.

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act (1923)?

A law that banned Chinese immigration to Canada.

Why was July 1, 1923 called 'Humiliation Day'?

It marked the start of the immigration ban.

What contradiction existed in immigration policy?

Canada banned Chinese immigrants while encouraging white immigrants.

What rights did women gain by 1918-1919?

Right to vote and right to run for office.

What was the Persons Case (1929)?

A ruling that women were legally recognized as 'persons' and could become senators.

What barriers did women still face?

Limited careers, lower wages, pressure to stay home.

Who was Agnes Macphail?

Canada's first female MP, who faced discrimination in Parliament.

What was the Chanak Crisis (1922)?

Canada refused to automatically support Britain militarily.

What was the Halibut Treaty (1923)?

First treaty signed independently by Canada.

What was the King-Byng Crisis (1926)?

Conflict showing Canada resisting British political control.

What was the Balfour Report (1926)?

Declared Canada equal to Britain.

What was the Statute of Westminster (1931)?

Gave Canada full legal independence.

What caused the Great Depression?

Economic collapse → business failures, unemployment, bank closures.

What were Hoovervilles?

Shantytowns built by homeless people.

How did people survive during the Great Depression?

Soup kitchens, bread lines, growing food.

How did families change during the Great Depression?

Men lost provider role, women managed households, children worked or left school.

Why were First Nations hit harder during the Depression?

Less government support, already facing poverty and discrimination.

How were relief payments unequal?

First Nations families received significantly less money than others.

Why couldn't First Nations 'live off the land'?

Loss of land and restrictions on hunting/fishing made it impossible.

What happened in Inuit relocation (1934)?

Government moved Inuit for political reasons; harsh conditions forced them to return.

What are the 5 BIG themes teachers test?

Inequality, Discrimination, Survival, Adaptation, Resistance.

In what month and year did the Winnipeg General Strike begin?

May 1919.

Approximately how many workers participated in the Winnipeg General Strike?

About 30,000 workers.

Name two economic problems workers faced after WWI.

High unemployment and high inflation.

What were workers demanding during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Higher wages and better working conditions.

What right did workers want employers to recognize during the strike?

Collective bargaining.

What was the Citizens' Committee of 1000 made up of?

Business leaders and wealthy citizens.

What fear did the Citizens' Committee spread to oppose the Winnipeg General Strike?

Fear of communism (Red Scare).

What happened on Bloody Saturday during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Police charged protesters on horseback, used weapons, killed one person, and injured many.

What happened to strike leaders after the Winnipeg General Strike?

They were arrested and jailed.

Give one short-term result of the Winnipeg General Strike.

Workers returned to work without gaining demands.

Give one long-term result of the Winnipeg General Strike.

Growth of labour rights and political movements.

What was banned during Prohibition?

The sale and distribution of alcohol.

What was one main reason Prohibition was introduced?

To reduce domestic violence.

What is the name of an illegal bar during Prohibition?

Speakeasy.

What is the name of a person who illegally sold alcohol?

Bootlegger.

What is "rum-running"?

Smuggling alcohol across borders.

Why did organized crime increase during Prohibition?

Criminals made money selling illegal alcohol.

Why did Prohibition fail?

People continued to drink illegally.

What replaced Prohibition in Canada?

Government-controlled liquor sales.

What does the term "prosperity" mean?

Economic success and wealth.

What is one example of a consumer good from the 1920s?

Cars or household appliances.

What is "mass production"?

Producing goods quickly and cheaply using machines.

Who introduced the assembly line?

Henry Ford.

What percentage of Canadian families owned a car by the late 1920s?

About 50%.

What major communication technology became popular in the 1920s?

Radios and telephones.

What was the first transatlantic flight in 1927?

A solo flight by Charles Lindbergh.

What were "talkies"?

Movies with sound.

What type of art did the Group of Seven create?

Canadian landscape paintings.

In what year did most Canadian women gain the right to vote federally?

1918.

Who was the first female MP in Canada?

Agnes Macphail.

What did the Persons Case decide in 1929?

That women were legally 'persons.'

What was the main issue before the Persons Case?

Women could not be appointed to the Senate.

Who were the "Famous Five"?

Five women who fought for women's legal rights.

What is a flapper?

A woman who rejected traditional roles.

Name two behaviors of flappers.

Wearing short skirts and smoking/drinking.

What does "autonomy" mean?

Independence.

Who was Prime Minister during the 1920s autonomy changes?

William Lyon Mackenzie King.

What happened during the Chanak Crisis in 1922?

Canada refused to automatically send troops to support Britain.

What was the Halibut Treaty of 1923?

The first treaty Canada signed independently.

What was the King-Byng Crisis in 1926?

The Governor General refused an election request.

What did the Balfour Report of 1926 state?

Canada was equal to Britain.

What did the Statute of Westminster (1931) do?

Gave Canada full legal independence.

How much did a family need per year for basic comfort?

$1200-1500.

How much did most workers earn?

Under $1000.

What percentage of rural homes had electricity?

About 20%.

What was segregation in schools?

Separating Black and white students.

What group promoted racism in the 1920s?

Ku Klux Klan.

What were residential schools designed to do?

Assimilate Indigenous children.

What happened to Indigenous languages in schools?

They were forbidden.

What did the Chinese Exclusion Act (1923) do?

Banned Chinese immigration.

What does "Nil" immigration mean?

Zero immigrants allowed.