1. How Did the Government Respond to the Great Depression?
PG From “Government Responses to the Depression” up to “On-To-Ottawa Trek” (Evidence )
“During Reading” Questions 1&2
Evidence 3.13 Question
Evidence 3.15 Question

2. How Did the Government Respond to the Great Depression?
Municipal relief → Provincial Relief → Federal Relief
Liberals and King: in 1930 think the economy would soon correct itself – no major issue → key is to stimulate economy (“no direct financial assistance, that was King’s point”)
Conservatives & Bennett: in 1930 saying that the unemployed need more monetary relief – once Bennett is PM, wants to increase trade tariffs
Relief Camps (Bennett) → sort of a hybrid of the 1930s campaign ideas – Liberal idea to stimulate the economy with employment, and Conservative idea to help the needy monetarily

3. The “On-To-Ottawa Trek” 1935
Relief camp men grew tired of conditions and began protesting
Led by the Communist Relief Camp Workers Union they prepared a list of demands and climb on top of a train to Ottawa to try and talk to Prime Minister Bennett

4. The “On-To-Ottawa Trek” 1935
They are stopped in Regina, Saskatchewan by the government and only a few are allowed to go on to Ottawa
Bennett called their leader a “revolutionary criminal” and the trekkers returned to Regina empty handed…and angry…
Arthur “Slim” Evans
leader of the On-To-Ottawa Trek

5. The Regina Riot, July 1st 1935
The trekkers meet in the market square where the RCMP surround them waiting to make arrests
When the officers begin closing in on the workers, a riot begins
An officer is killed and many others injured or arrested

6. Bennett & The Government Who is to blame for the Regina Riot?
Trekkers vs
Bennett & The Government
Who is to blame for the Regina Riot?
Use the scrapbooks (Pg. ) to support “your side” with your group. Be prepared to debate about who was right, who was wrong and why.
Be convincing.