The Government Responds to the Depression Lesson 8

Read pages 92-93 and answer the Questions Why was Canada hit hard by the depression? How did many countries try to protect their own industries? What was the effect of this on jobs in Canada? Describe three hardships faced by some factory workers during the depression. Describe three hardships faced by some farmers during the depression.

Changes in Government during the Depression 1926-1930 – Liberals under William Lyon Mackenzie King 1930-1935 – Conservatives under R.B. Benett 1935-1948 - Liberals under William Lyon Mackenzie King

New Political Parties As a result of the hard times people were experiencing, many came to believe that the country’s two main political parties — the Liberals and the Conservatives — were not doing enough to help. As a result, people began to turn to new political parties that were proposing new ways of solving problems. Read p. 94-95 in your textbook Use the above pages to help you complete TLS Worksheet 2.1.7 New Political parties

Social Credit William Aberhart Provide everyone with $25 each month, this will increase spending, which will increase production and then increase jobs. Won the 1935 Alberta Election. Also popular in BC and Quebec Disappeared in the early 1980’s

Union Nationale Maurice Duplessis Defend French language, religion and culture, improve working conditions, provide cheap loans to farmers, and build low income houses Padlock Law Won the 1936 Quebec election. Remained popular only in Quebec until the 1970’s when it disappeared

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation J. S. Woodsworth Believed in democratic socialism – the government should own key industries so everyone can benefit from the profits. Wanted to introduce social programs such as unemployment insurance, and public works to create jobs Got seven Members of Parliament elected in the 1935 federal election. Changed its name to the New Democratic Party in 1961, which still exists today.

The Bennett Buggy Describe what is happening in this picture Why might this be an appropriate symbol of the 1930’s? What does the name given this vehicle tell you about how Canadian’s felt about the government?

Halifax Chronicle in 1932 Describe what is happening in this cartoon How is Prime Minister Bennett portrayed? What message is the cartoonist trying to deliver? Would Bennett’s wealth affect his decisions as Prime Minister? Was the criticism fair?

TLS Worksheet 2.2.5 – King/Bennett Comparison Using p. 104-105 of the textbook, complete the Venn diagram on the worksheet Do you feel the government should take an active role in helping people, or should people be left to figure it out for themselves? Explain why.

TLS Worksheet 2.2.5 – King/Bennett Comparison Liberal Let provinces handle unemployment Didn’t recognise the stock market crash as a problem King & Bennett Prime Ministers Lost an Election Didn’t do much to help people Took a wait and see approach Bennett Conservative Promised work for everyone No plan for coping with the depression Gave money to the Provinces

Did the government do enough to help? Prime Minister R.B. Bennett’s government introduced monthly relief payments for people in need. But these payments were very low. Bennett believed that they should be lower than the money people could earn at the lowest- paying job. He said that higher payment would discourage people from looking for work.

What attitude is the speaker reacting to? Was the system of doling out relief payments to various groups was fair?

Why would some workers and unemployed people believe that Communism would solve their problems?

Unemployed Workers Seek Other Solutions Unemployed workers believed that the government was not doing enough, and many turned to new political parties. Some supported communism as a way of solving their problems. In 1917, communists had taken over Russia through a violent revolution. This frightened many governments around the world. Many people feared that their government, too, would be overthrown by communists. In Canada, people suspected of being communists were treated harshly. Many were beaten up by police and arrested. Some were even deported.

Relief Camps To deal with unemployment, Bennett’s government created relief camps. The purpose of the camps, which were in remote areas, was to move homeless, unemployed men away from cities and towns, where people feared that they would cause trouble. Signing up for the camps was voluntary - but an unmarried homeless man who chose not to go could be arrested. In return for doing jobs like building roads and planting trees, camp workers were given food, shelter, and work clothes. They also received 20 cents a day. Bennett believed that camp workers should be grateful for the opportunity to work. But many workers resented the low pay and the poor living conditions in the camps.

Workers Take Action: The On-to-Ottawa Trek In 1935, camp workers organized to demand higher wages. The protest was called the On-to-Ottawa Trek. The trek - or journey - started in Vancouver, where more than 1000 men hitched a ride in freight cars bound for Ottawa. They planned to talk directly to Bennett. In towns along the way, people welcomed the protesters and gave them food. More men joined the trek. But Bennett had no sympathy for the trekkers. He ordered the RCMP to end the protest in Regina, Saskatchewan. There, the police would not let trekkers back onto trains.

Workers Take Action: The On-to-Ottawa Trek Meanwhile, Bennett had agreed to meet trek leaders in Ottawa. But their talks broke down, and the leaders returned to Regina. Bennett then ordered their arrest. At a protest rally in Regina on July 1, police waded into the crowd to make the arrests. Trekkers fought back and a vicious riot erupted. One police officer was killed, dozens of people were injured, and 130 protesters were arrested. The Regina Riot ended the trek and nothing changed for camp workers.

Show You Know Complete TLS Worksheet 2.2.7 – Examining Relief from Both Sides To some, the On-To-Ottawa trekkers were innocent victims of the Depression. To others, they were a dangerous threat to society. Which perspective would you have taken if you were an unemployed worker? A business owner? Explain your reasons.