The Great Depression

The Boom During the 1920s, many were buying stocks “on the margin”… in other words, paying by credit. During the 1920s, many were buying stocks “on the margin”… in other words, paying by credit. They expected to pay off debts as economy kept booming. They expected to pay off debts as economy kept booming. See: Felix the Cat

President Hoover’s Speech "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of this land... We shall soon with the help of God be in sight of the day when poverty will be banished from this land." "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of this land... We shall soon with the help of God be in sight of the day when poverty will be banished from this land." Herbert Hoover in his acceptance speech June, 1928 Herbert Hoover in his acceptance speech June, 1928

The Bust Instead, the economy worsened. They lost their jobs. Instead, the economy worsened. They lost their jobs. On Black Tuesday, (October 29, 1929), the Stock Market crashed. On Black Tuesday, (October 29, 1929), the Stock Market crashed.

Black Tuesday Oct. 29, 1929

Canada’s economy in the 20s Canada was reliant on the U.S. to buy their products. Canada was reliant on the U.S. to buy their products. Two areas hit worst are pulp (BC, Ont. & Que.) and wheat (Prairies). Two areas hit worst are pulp (BC, Ont. & Que.) and wheat (Prairies).

Desperate Years Homeless are treated like criminals. Homeless are treated like criminals. Thousands collect “pogey”. Thousands collect “pogey”. Many rely on food stamps, bread lines. Many rely on food stamps, bread lines. See: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Vagrants ¼ of work force is unemployed. ¼ of work force is unemployed. They begin riding the rails: hopping trains to find work. They begin riding the rails: hopping trains to find work. They live in Shantytowns They live in Shantytowns Modern Times 7 of 9

A favela, or shantytown, in Brazil

Government Response King believed in laissez-faire… thought the economy would recover in its own time. King believed in laissez-faire… thought the economy would recover in its own time. He was booted from office in He was booted from office in 1930.

Government Response RB Bennett also didn’t believe in government relief. RB Bennett also didn’t believe in government relief. However, due to public pressure, he created “make work” programs. However, due to public pressure, he created “make work” programs.

Hoover Dam (USA) Hoover Dam (USA)

Government Response The economy didn’t improve. The economy didn’t improve. WHY? WHY? Make-work jobs paid too little and separated men from their families and society, where they could spend the money to re-boost the economy. Make-work jobs paid too little and separated men from their families and society, where they could spend the money to re-boost the economy.

Racism As A Solution Many blamed blacks for causing the Great Depression. Many blamed blacks for causing the Great Depression. In the United States, the KKK became extremely popular (20% of whites had joined at peak membership period). In the United States, the KKK became extremely popular (20% of whites had joined at peak membership period).

Racism As A Solution Lynching was one way of dealing with blacks. Lynching was one way of dealing with blacks.

People proudly took pictures of the blacks they had hung and burned. People proudly took pictures of the blacks they had hung and burned. Lynching See: Strange Fruit

Protest In Canada, workers leave BC work camps paying 20cents/day to march towards Ottawa in the “On-to-Ottawa” trek. In Canada, workers leave BC work camps paying 20cents/day to march towards Ottawa in the “On-to-Ottawa” trek. They ride on rail cars to get there. They ride on rail cars to get there.

Hoboes Hopping Freight Trains

Bennett’s Response Bennett still believes that the government must let laissez- faire rule. Bennett still believes that the government must let laissez- faire rule. He orders police to arrest the protesters. He orders police to arrest the protesters. One is killed. One is killed. SLIM EVANS See: Modern times 3 of 9

Regionalist Political Parties Social Credit Party (led by William Aberhart) wins 1935 Alberta Election under the belief that capitalism was a wasteful system. Social Credit Party (led by William Aberhart) wins 1935 Alberta Election under the belief that capitalism was a wasteful system. Aberhart wanted government to give citizens a “basic dividend” to spend as they pleased. Aberhart wanted government to give citizens a “basic dividend” to spend as they pleased. Remains in power until Remains in power until 1971.

Regionalist Political Parties In Quebec, Maurice Duplessis forms the Union Nationale, a French Catholic party. In Quebec, Maurice Duplessis forms the Union Nationale, a French Catholic party. He blames the English of Quebec for their problems. He blames the English of Quebec for their problems. Stays in power until 1959, although he does little to change things. Stays in power until 1959, although he does little to change things.

Forming the CCF In 1932, western leaders formed the Cooperative Commonthwealth Federation (CCF), under JS Woodsworth. In 1932, western leaders formed the Cooperative Commonthwealth Federation (CCF), under JS Woodsworth.

Dust Bowl Meanwhile farmers face huge drought. Meanwhile farmers face huge drought. This creates the dust bowl. This creates the dust bowl.

Views of Bennett By 1935, citizens hate RB Bennett By 1935, citizens hate RB BennettWHY? - He suppressed popular protest - He suppressed popular protest - He was friends with big business - He was friends with big business - He wasn’t seen as doing enough for the poor. - He wasn’t seen as doing enough for the poor.

The New Deal In 1935, RB Bennett tried to buy back votes back by introducing a “New Deal”. In 1935, RB Bennett tried to buy back votes back by introducing a “New Deal”. Based on the New Deal being introduced in the United States by Franklin Roosevelt. Based on the New Deal being introduced in the United States by Franklin Roosevelt. See pages of your textbook to see what the government spent on trying to make things better See pages of your textbook to see what the government spent on trying to make things better See what the New Deal meant, page See what the New Deal meant, page 84-85

Citizens Re-Elect King Why Not? Why Not? King was highly eccentric with his preference for communing with spirits, including those of Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, his dead mother, and several of his Irish Terrier dogs, all named Pat. He also claimed to commune with the spirit of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, American president and close friend.[26] He sought personal reassurance from the spirit world, rather than seeking political advice. King was highly eccentric with his preference for communing with spirits, including those of Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, his dead mother, and several of his Irish Terrier dogs, all named Pat. He also claimed to commune with the spirit of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, American president and close friend.[26] He sought personal reassurance from the spirit world, rather than seeking political advice.

Collect money from rich provinces and give them to the poor provinces. Collect money from rich provinces and give them to the poor provinces. Equalization Payments: THE ROBIN HOOD ECONOMY