Roaring 20’s Canada’s Experience
Canada’s Social Reaction The social response after World War 1 (the Great War, the War to End all Wars) was to rejoice, party, and have fun! It was the “Jazz Age” Dances and fashion completely changed Leisure activities and hobbies were popular
Mobility Cars became very popular Henry Ford’s assembly line invention (1913) made them inexpensive The Model T Ford by late 1920’s, 50% of Canadian homes had a car
Mobility Aviation rapidly expanded post-war Made more of Canada accessible Many vets became “bush pilots”
Arts & Leisure Because of new-found prosperity, people sought out various forms of entertainment, and Canada began to have a distinct culture in film, art, literature, sports, radio etc
Arts & Leisure The “Group of Seven” artists held an exhibition in Toronto in 1920 Group formed by self-proclaimed modern artists Known for their move from realism tradition to interpretive landscapes of Canada in broad strokes and bright colours
Arts & Leisure Emily Carr one of BC’s most famous artists and people…born in Victoria heavily influenced by “Group of 7” didn’t “care a bean” if people didn’t like her work, she did it for herself
Arts & Leisure Baseball, professional boxing, rugby, curling, golf… Hockey came into Canadian homes across the country in 1923 with the first hockey radio
Arts & Leisure Spectator sports flourished Canada won gold in all Olympic Games during the inter-war years except for 1936
Music & Dance DANCE VID! Young people, in particular, made popular new styles of dance and music due to the prevalence of nightclubbing and partying (The Great Gatsby)
Prohibition Despite Canada’s prohibition laws since WWI, provincial governments finally admitted that it wasn’t working, and by 1921 most provinces had regulated, rather than banned, the sale of alcohol Doctor’s prescribed “tonics” “bootleggers” supplied as well a series of plebiscites abolished the law
Prohibition The USA had prohibition until 1933, so Canadians began exporting (illegal) alcohol – in huge quantities Rum-running Via car and truck, and boats
Politics Borden resigned due to poor health in 1920 Arthur Meighan became the new Conservative leader Meighan and Mackenzie King dominated Canadian politics throughout the ‘20s, and they strongly disliked each other
William Lyon Mackenzie King The Two Main Guys… William Lyon Mackenzie King Arthur Meighen
William Lyon Mackenzie King p.80 in text Liberal Only PM to hold a PhD (from Harvard!) PM from 1921-1930 in two terms; and another term 1935-1948 (22 of next 27 years) Overall longest serving Canadian Prime Minister
William Lyon Mackenzie King Close ties to, and similarities with, Sir Wilfred Laurier Nationalist, knew the importance of FrEnglish relations Strove to be a neutral force
Arthur Meighen p.79 in text Opinionated, principled man Not concerned with others’ thoughts or keeping them happy Controversial figure, but talented debater Campaigned on a pro-conscription platform (who liked it? who didn’t?) Helped draft the Military Service Act (Conscription) Authored War Measures Act (government control)