Post War Inquiry Question Quick Treaty review! What were some details? Can peace create more problems?

Mind’s On – In Their Shoes The war is over! Think about the perspectives of each of these people. A woman who worked through the war. What is her future like? Someone who spent the past few years in an internment camp. Will Canada welcome them back? An Aboriginal soldier who fought well and was awarded medals. Will Canada welcome them back? A soldier who was conscripted and saw little or no action in the last months of war. An soldier who enlisted in 1914 and survived the whole war.

Post War Issues in Canada

Jobs: Soldiers returned home expecting a heroes welcome; they found a changed nation and a lack of jobs. There was an economic recession until 1923. Labour Unrest: Those that could find work had terrible conditions. The rise of unions – organizations who bargained for workers rights – was gaining popularity.

Women: Despite their efforts and new rights in WW1 women were told to return back to the home after the war. Influenza Pandemic: Known as the ‘Spanish Flu’, this killed over 50,000 Canadians. To compare, the war itself killed over 60,000.

Get a Job! – Think/Share With your partner or group and discuss the profession you have been given. Good things, bad things, etc. If I was your employer what are the most important things you would ask for to have a good working environment? Write them down and be prepared to discuss. If I refused, for what reasons might you respond with a strike?

Minds On – Fair or Unfair? You and a co-worker are both equally competent and both ask for a raise. He/she is given one, you are not. Fair Unfair You are dealing with a significant issue at home and request a day off to deal with it. You are denied. Fair Unfair You have been injured on the workplace and the Dr. recommends you need 3 weeks off to recover. You do not get paid anything during that period. Fair Unfair You have been injured on the workplace and the Dr. recommends you need 3 weeks off to recover. Your employer replaces you and you are now out of a job. Fair Unfair

Creating Canada – Text Questions Read the ‘Voices’ section on pg. 208. Based on that, what immediate thought do you have about unions? Read ‘Voices’ on pg. 207. How does that compare? Which do you believe? Read ‘Labour Unrest’ (pg. 206) What were Canadian workers demanding? Read ‘One Big Union’. a) What was the purpose of the OBU? b) Why was the government afraid of unions? c) What is a general strike? Read ‘Winnipeg General Strike’ and give a brief summary of events. Read ‘Opposition to the Strike’ (208) and give a brief summary. Read the information for Figure 7-14 and answer the question: Do you think it could have been handled differently? Read ‘Consequences of the Strike’. What were some of the lasting impacts?

Winnipeg General Strike - Summary From May 1-15 over 20,000 people from a variety of unions walk off the job and grows to over 30,000 They want to negotiate: better hours, improved wages ($0.85 an hour!)and the right to collectively bargain Winnipeg essentially shuts down

Opposition An organization of business leaders (The Citizen’s Committee of 1000) meet to strategize an end to the strike. They blamed the strike on immigrants (calling them “communists”, and “alien scum”) and meet with the government. The government refused to meet with the strike leaders.

Bloody Saturday – CBC Documentary

Some Consequences of the Strike Negative: Many saw the strike as a failure Some workers forced to sign non-union contracts Classes in Winnipeg are strained Positive: Many realized how important “the working class” was Many strike leaders went on to positions in politics

Wrap Up – Key Questions Half of you will be 1, the other half will be 2 Using the note/video/brilliant commentary of Mr. Shields, write a brief answer to your question: How could the Winnipeg General Strike be considered an internal conflict in Canada? How did the social/political movement of the Winnipeg General Strike impact Canadian identity?