1. Canadian Society from 1920-1929

2.  Canada’s great contribution to the war gave them an independent seat at the Treaty of Versailles  Canada also became an independent member of the League of Nations  During the 1920’s, Canada asserted its independence from Britain several times  In 1931, Britain formally recognizes Canada as a completely independent nation with the Statute of Westminster

3.  First Transmission was 1901  By 1929, there were 300,000 Radios in Canada (only 10,000 in ‘23)  Most popular form of entertainment in the 20’s  Hockey Night in Canada was the most popular show – Foster Hewitt was the most popular radio personality  However, the Radio allowed Canadians to have access to big budget American entertainment.  Many worried that Canada would become “Americanized”

4. FOSTER HEWITT

5.  Motion Pictures became very popular as Silent Movies evolved into “Talkies” (movies with sound) in the late 1920’s  One of the most famous Actors in Hollywood was Mary Pickford from Toronto  She was know as America’s sweetheart  Charlie Chaplin was the most popular film star of the time

6.  The Radio allowed people to follow their favorite sports teams – making sport more popular than ever  The sports superstar was invented in the 20’s – before the 20’s most athletes had to work full time jobs (e.g. Green Bay Packers)  Athletes became as rich and famous as actors and politicians

11.  More leisure time and higher pay for workers  Advances in Art, Literature and Technology  Jazz Music was popular  Parties and Wild Dances like the Charleston and the Fox Trot.

12.  Most Canadian provinces created prohibition laws in WWI  These laws carried over after the war  By 1927, all these laws were repealed except for Prince Edward Island (1948)  However, the United States had prohibition laws from 1920 to 1933

13.  Prohibition gave rise to organized crime because people still wanted to drink (e.g. the Italian Mafia)  Prohibition did reduce some small crimes but overall, crime rates skyrocketed as rival gangs competed for territory  Many Canadian got rich by illegally smuggling alcohol to the USA (Bootlegging or Rum Running)