Mid – Late 1920s The Good Times  In the 1920’s, it must have seemed that the world was suddenly smaller for many people.  New inventions such as the radio, talking films, mass produced automobiles, and air travel meant that people in the remotest areas of the country were no longer as isolated.  They could share in common forms of entertainment, travel to other regions, and tune in to the latest news broadcasts.  While not everyone could afford the new FADS and inventions, they moved to within the reach of more than just wealthy.

The Good Times  More and more Canadians were moving into the “modern age.”  Many people moved into the cities to work in factories or in service industries.  Wages were rising for many people.  Buying on CREDIT was now possible.  All of the new developments in the 1920’s, created a huge confidence in the economy.  The result of this confidence was people began to buy STOCKS in businesses.  This created a STOCK MARKET BOOM.

Leisure in the 1920s  With higher incomes and a shorter work week, many Canadians had more time for leisure.  No one can explain exactly how fads catch on, but suddenly many people became interested in dance, fashion, game, sport, or other activity and take it up with great enthusiasm.  Examples:  Mahjong  Crossword puzzles.  Long races and contests: non-stop talking, kissing, eating, drinking, etc…  Flappers – type of woman’s fashion.

Leisure.. Cont’d  Inventions were also sweeping across the nation.  Examples:  Radio  Cars – Ford’s Model T.  Different forms of entertainment:  Example:  Jazz Music  Dancing – Charleston.  TALKIES – talking films.  Mary Ann Pickford – a Canadian born actress.  Sports – baseball, hockey, football, etc... Women also played a major role.

 After the war, more women wanted to attend universities.  Their fashions began to reflect the “New times” for females in Canada and around the world.

Social Inequality – 1920s  As we have discussed not all the prosperity has been equal.  Women:  Still underrepresented in government.  Still not considered “persons” under law.  Some laws have changed but attitudes have not. (women’s roles)  The training they got in some schools prepared them for marriage, motherhood, typing and/or shorthand classes.  Even if they did graduate from university they were likely to be paid less than men.  Seen as seen as “temporary employees, working until they were married, then they were fired.

Children  By 1929, children under the age of 14 were legally prohibited from working in factories and mines in most provinces.  Children began to stay in school longer. (Junior High).  The group that was still exploited were; the HOME CHILDREN.

Children.. Cont’d  Were overworked, neglected, and sometimes abused.  By the 1920’s reformers like CHARLOTTE WHITTON, were condemning the practice of home children.  This practice ended in 1930.

Immigrants  In the 1920’s, many North Americans and northern Europeans believed that there were superior races.  Racism began to rise in Canada in the 1920’s.  Example: refusal of some restaurants to serve Blacks.  A few Canadians demonstrated their racist outlook in extreme and occasionally violent ways.

Native Peoples  Throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s, Native peoples struggled to keep their culture and heritage.  Government policy during this period was ASSIMILATION.  Native children were sent to special residential schools where they were forbidden from learning about their own cultures.  At the same time, Native peoples who tried to live off RESERVES in Canadian towns and cities faced discrimination and prejudice.

 They were given few opportunities to find good jobs and make a living.  Many faced poverty.  If they lived on reserves, they were not allowed to vote.  In the 1920’s – 1930’s, Native peoples were beginning to form organizations to fight for their rights.

Prohibition  READ P. 120  In the early years there was a lot of crime and corruption as well.  Most of it can be blamed on PROHIBITION.  This began in Canada in 1916 and  This made the production and sale of alcohol illegal.  During the war, many women’s groups had campaigned against drinking. (Women’s Christian Temperance Union)

Reasons for Prohibition:  Argued that wheat should be used to feed soldiers rather than make alcohol.  Money needed to feed families was often spent on drink and there were many arrests for drunkenness.

Positive Effects of Prohibition  Crime rate dropped  More workers took their pay cheques home instead of to the tavern.  Industrial efficiency improved because fewer work days were missed.

 It became obvious during the 1920’s, prohibition was very hard to enforce.  After W.W.I, Canada dropped Prohibition, while the U.S. continued on till  Some Canadians made fortunes smuggling liquor south of the border.  These people became known as RUMRUNNERS.