Canada in the Interwar Years Canada in the Twenties

Aftermath of the War Canadian Soldiers faced many difficulties –1. Growing anger among soldiers that were left in Europe after the war was over. Shipping was inadequate, some waited years to return home –2. Once home, soldiers wanted more money than what was given to them (pensions and other payments). Soldiers felt like they should be compensated for all the pain and suffering they went through while at war.

Difficulties faced by the soldiers 3. Soldiers had a hard time adjusting back to ‘normal’ life after returning from the horrors of the war. What felt important before going to war, now lost meaning. Trying to return to life in factories was difficult after fighting everyday just to stay alive.

Difficulties faced by the soldiers 4. French-English relations in Canada were forever changed as a result of conscription and other wartime decisions.

Social Changes Even with the difficult adjustment period for Canadian Soldiers there were many positive changes that occurred in Canada during the twenties. After the war, Canada’s economy was booming, women had the right to vote, and there was a feeling of optimism that all war was over and would never happen again

Social Changes 1. Types of Activities –Canadians participated in many new activities. –In the summer Canadians went on picnics, corn roasts, and clam bakes. Also “rode the rapids” and went to horse races. –In the winter Canadians went to the ‘movie palace’ and went skating/skiing

Social Changes 2. Art –It was in the field of art that Canada retained a sense of nationalism and national identity –Most famous group of artists in Canada during the 20th century was the Group of Seven.

Social Change Group of Seven –In 1920 held first exhibition, and their work became more and more popular. –These artists were unique since they only painted Canadian landscape - mostly the North and rural landscapes.

Group of Seven

Social Changes 2. Art –Emily Carr became very well known in the 20’s and 30’s. She is now recognized as one of Canada’s greatest artists. She painted and sketched scenes of the forests around Victoria, British Columbia. Carr also studied aboriginal culture, and became a successful author, winning the Governor General’s award for her first novel ‘Klee Wyck’

Emily Carr

Social Changes 3. Inventions –During the 20’s three major inventions changed the lives of Canadians. The radio, airplane, and car –The plane was used during WW1 but in the 20’s and 30’s it was used for travel –The radio was used for information and entertainment purposes. Foster Hewitt was a famous hockey radio broadcaster, and was well known by all hockey fans.

The plane

The radio

Social Changes 3. Inventions –The car created lots of jobs, allowed Canadians to get around faster, and people could drive from one end of the country to the other. –The car was also a major factor in the development of what we now call the suburbs. –People could now live much further from where they worked.

The car

Social Changes 4. Immigration –Before WW1 there had been a boom in immigration, with most immigrants settling in the prairies and benefiting from the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880’s. –In 1919 the Immigration Act was amended and Canada was closed to people coming from enemy countries. Canada wanted British and American immigrants only.

Immigration and the CPR

Social Changes 4. Immigration –However, Canada was now losing people faster than they were coming in. Between 1915 and 1925, approximately 400,000 more people left Canada than came to live. –Canadian farmers urged the government to make the immigration policy less restrictive. – In response Prime Minister Mackenzie King made it easier for Europeans to immigrate. –King was PM during , ,

Social Changes 4. Immigration –CPR spent more money then the government to attract immigrants from the US and Europe –Since most immigrants at this time came by boat, most of them entered through a port in Halifax. This port was called Pier 21. –During the 20’s groups of up to 1,000 people would arrive at the same time. –By 1927 the top five immigrant groups arriving in Canada were from England, Poland, US, Scotland, and Ireland.

Pier 21