Canada in the Post-War World: the 1950’s The Changing Face of Canada
Population boom! Baby boom: increased the birth rate (BR) in Canada and other countries Canada’s BR peaked in ’s: pop. peak for First Nations Post war immigration 6.7 million children born b/t 1946 and 1961 ~ 1/3 of the pop.
Immigration! : somewhat restrictive imm. policy British and N. Europeans readily accepted G’ment limited # of other immigrants ~1 million vets returned home Many married European women (war brides) War brides part of imm. wave 165,000 displaced persons accepted New possibilities
Suburbs! 1000’s of new homes Cheaper to live in the suburbs Increase in econ. development supported suburban life Business and manufacturing booming Fewer than 6% of Canadians were unemployed Technological innovations
Automobiles! 1950’s: 3.5 million bought Changed Canadian neighborhoods Represented all elements of post-war era Fascination with technology, progress, and personal freedom Lots of fuel Increased dependence on oil Atmospheric pollution a problem (smog)
Women in the ‘50s! Suburban life centered on traditional middle-class family Stay-at-home mom at heart of this family Breadwinner: men’s role Popular women’s magazines: working mothers = delinquent children Many resented suburban life Felt isolated and trapped By 1960’s: looking for a different way of life
Teen culture! “boomer” generation influenced Can. culture and economy for decades Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, other youth org.’s flourished G’ment built 1000’s of new schools, arenas, and playgrounds Manufacturers developed/made new products More time spent in school No wars or economic hardships Innovation of the “teenager”
More teen culture! Rock ‘n’ Roll: favorite of many teens Banned in many places Elvis’s hip “swiveling” seen as “obscene” Racism was at the heart of society reflected in attacks on Rock ‘n’ Roll Close connection to African- American culture
Consumerism! 1 st TV shows in black and white Color TV to Canada: 1966 Canadians watching American shows Advertisers: “consumption the way to happiness” Selling the “good life” Advertising: one of biggest areas of economic growth
The Massey Commission! Established in 1949 by Can. G’ment Vincent Massey Official name: Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences Investigate the state of Can. culture 1951: reported back
Massey Commission (cont)! Suggested: Can. TV used to promote nat’l communication and for cultural education in drama and music CBC put in charge of development of TV Nat’l Film Board (NFB) strengthened G’ment involved in funding universities and the arts Canada Council for the Arts created (awarded grants)
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)! 1968 Regulate the amount of foreign material broadcast Imposed rules requiring Can. content Encouraged growth of arts and culture in Canada