The Best of Times, The Worst of Times - Detailed Notes

A Troubled Time

• Post-World War I Disillusionment:

  • Canadians celebrated the end of the Great War in November 1918, believing they fought for justice and a better world.
  • Veterans returning in 1919 faced disappointment due to the government's lack of plans for them (no pensions, medical care, or jobs).

• Economic Hardship for Veterans:

  • War industries closed, leading to unemployment for veterans.
  • Resentment grew as industrialists were perceived to have profited during the war while veterans made sacrifices.

• Worker Resentment:

  • Labour unions had agreed to reduced pay during the war as a patriotic contribution.
  • Post-war, the cost of goods soared, causing hardship for workers.
  • Between 1914 and May 1919, wages increased by only 18%, while the cost of living rose by 75%.

• Rise of Socialism and Communism:

  • Union leaders in Western Canada adopted socialist policies.
  • Inspired by the British trade union movement and the Russian Revolution of 1917.
  • Communism: Belief that all means of production and distribution should be publicly owned.

• One Big Union (OBU):

  • Proposed at the Western Labour Conference in March 1919.
  • Aimed to represent all workers in one organization to establish more control over industry and government through peaceful means.

• General Strike as a Weapon:

  • The OBU planned to use the general strike (a walkout by all employed workers) to pressure employers for better pay and working conditions.
  • The ultimate goal was to transfer power from industrialists and politicians to the workers and their unions.

• Government and Business Hostility:

  • The Russian Revolution instilled fear in politicians and employers.
  • Concerns that foreign "radicals" were infiltrating Canadian unions to overthrow society.
  • This fear led to government and business hostility toward unions.

• Winnipeg General Strike (1919):

  • Tensions culminated in Winnipeg, making headlines across the continent for six weeks.

The Winnipeg General Strike

• Trigger:

  • In early May 1919, metal and building trades workers in Winnipeg went on strike, demanding higher wages, a shorter working week, and the right to collective bargaining.

• General Strike:

  • The Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council voted for a general strike in support of these principles.
  • Starting on May 15, 30,000 people left their jobs, with over half not even being in a union.

• Paralysis of Winnipeg:

  • The city was paralyzed with no firefighters, postal workers, telephone or telegraph services, newspapers, streetcars, or deliveries of bread, milk, or ice.
  • Strike leaders convinced the police to remain on the job to prevent violence.

• Strike Committee's Permit System:

  • The strike committee began a permit system for delivery vans and wagons to transport goods to homes and hospitals.
  • Theatres were opened to keep strikers off the street.
  • The city and provincial governments viewed this as a declaration of revolution, believing strike leaders considered themselves the authorities in charge.

• Committee of One Thousand:

  • Business leaders formed the "Committee of One Thousand," comprised of citizens who volunteered as firefighters and gas pump operators.

• Government Intervention:

  • The city fired the police, suspecting them of being sympathetic to the strike, and replaced them with armed volunteer "specials."
  • The mayor appealed to Ottawa for help.
  • The federal government threatened striking postal employees with job and pension loss if they didn't return to work.
  • Reinforcements were sent for the North-West Mounted Police and the army, along with secret shipments of machine guns.
  • The government feared the strike would spread and that