(1/2) Canada Between Two World Wars - Part 1

Summary

This video script recounts Canada's post-WWI era, marked by soldiers' return to a nation grappling with unemployment and disillusionment. It highlights the struggles for better living conditions, the Winnipeg General Strike, and the 'Red Scare'. It also discusses Canada's growing autonomy, immigration wave, and economic boom, symbolized by the Group of Seven's art and the repeal of alcohol prohibition. The script concludes with the Roaring Twenties' prosperity, new technology like air travel, and the start of the Great Depression.

Takeaways

• 🎖️ After WWI, Canadian soldiers returned home to a hero's welcome but faced challenges such as scarce job opportunities and restlessness.
• 🛠 Some veterans were disillusioned with post-war life and took part in protests seeking better living conditions.
• 🌍 The post-war period saw a Red Scare globally, affecting Canada with increased scrutiny at ports and suspicion towards veterans and workers.
• 🔄 There was a shift in Canadian politics, with the Liberals led by McKenzie King coming to power after the Conservatives.
• 🚗 The 1920s brought a sense of new times with Canadians embracing modern conveniences like automobiles.
• 🌾 A significant wave of immigration occurred post-war, with many settlers moving westward to contribute to the wheat boom.
• 🏙️ Canada began to assert its independence on the world stage, seeking self-governance and equal status within the Commonwealth.
• 🛫 Aviation developed rapidly in Canada, with bush pilots playing a crucial role in connecting remote areas and facilitating trade.
• 🎨 Canadian artists, like the Group of Seven, gained international recognition for their unique portrayal of Canada's landscape.
• 📚 Canadian literature flourished, with authors writing about Canadian experiences and contributing to world literature.
• 🚀 The Roaring Twenties were characterized by economic prosperity, consumerism, and a belief in the endless growth of the market.

Q & A

What was the mood of Canadian soldiers returning from World War I?

The soldiers were initially welcomed as heroes, but they soon felt disillusioned as work was scarce and they struggled to adapt to civilian life.

Why did Canadian veterans take to the streets after the war?

Disillusioned by the lack of better life at home despite their sacrifices, veterans marched with petitions demanding improved conditions.

What was the Red Scare and how did it affect Canada?

The Red Scare was a worldwide panic over the spread of communism. In Canada, it led to searches for radical literature at ports of entry and suspicion towards veterans and workers.

What was the significance of the Winnipeg General Strike in Canadian history?

The Winnipeg General Strike was the first general strike in Canadian history, involving 30,000 workers, and it highlighted the growing labor movement and the struggle for workers' rights.

How did Canada's political landscape change after World War I?

The post-war period saw the defeat of the wartime government led by Arthur Meighen, and the return of the Liberals under new leader McKenzie King.

What was the role of Canada in the Chanak Crisis?

Canada, under Prime Minister McKenzie King, refused to support Britain in the Chanak Crisis without the authority of the Canadian Parliament, demonstrating Canada's growing autonomy in decision-making.

What was the impact of the post-war immigration wave on Canada?

The post-war immigration wave brought 1.5 million settlers, many of whom moved West to help settle the wheat lands, contributing to the wheat boom and the development of the country.

How did Canada assert its sovereignty in the Arctic?

Canada asserted its sovereignty in the Arctic through settlement, the presence of law enforcement, and the completion of a tower on Parliament Hill dedicated to peace.

What was the significance of the Group of Seven in Canadian art?

The Group of Seven led a revolt in Canadian art, proclaiming the uniqueness of Canada's Northern landscape and gaining worldwide recognition for their distinctively Canadian paintings.

How did the 1920s economic prosperity affect Canada?

The Roaring Twenties brought economic prosperity, with factories at full throttle and mass production. However, it also led to an overstock of goods, which was believed to be curable by advertising.

What was the cultural exchange like between Canada and the United States during the Prohibition era?

During Prohibition, Canada developed a profitable but embarrassing export of alcohol to the United States, while in return, Americans sent jazz and the popularity of radio grew in Canada.