1. Decades of Change Ch 6 Prosperity and Depression
After WWI, the economy changed in Canada. Food, weapons and ammunition were no longer in great demand. The greatest impact of the slump felt in the Maritimes and on the Prairies.
The price of goods doubled after the war, but wages did not go up. People could not afford to buy things they needed. Unemployment went up, and returning soldiers could not find work.

2. Reasons Some Areas Became Prosperous:
The Prairies- Wheat was once again in great demand.
BC, Manitoba, and Central Canada – Mining increased.
Central Canada-US companies built factories (branch plants)
The use of electricity and gas-powered machinery increased productivity in the workplace in large urban areas.
The assembly line- greatly increased the number of products that could be made.

3. Reasons Some Places Were Not Prosperous:
Maritimes - Shipbuilding had been a major industry…nothing replaced it.
Major ports (Saint John and Halifax) did not modernize and could not compete with Montreal.
Increased railway freight rates meant the Maritimes had to increase prices, which resulted in lost customers.
Hydroelectricity was slower to develop.
Primary industries (fishing, farming, mining and forestry) suffered because the US raised tariffs (taxes) on imports

4. Lifestyle and Technology The Haves:
As wages increased, people spent more money on new products. The installment plan was introduced…buy now, pay later. People overspent because they thought that the good times were here to stay.
Many people bought cars, which made travel easier. Telephones became very popular. Now people did not feel so isolated. New electrical appliances were also in great demand.

5. Lifestyle and Technology The Have Nots
The working poor struggled…many did not have electricity or they could not afford the newly available goods.
Many African Canadians and Canadians of Asian descent were among the working poor.
The headway women had made in the workforce was lost. Most lost their jobs after the war. Women who were university graduates were paid far less than men. Women with some education were mostly teachers, nurses, bookkeepers, or secretaries. Others worked in stores, or factories.

6. Lifestyle and Technology The Have Nots Con’t:
Many young people still worked in family businesses or left school to work.
The First Nations- government was still trying to assimilate First Nations into mainstream culture. All children 7-15 had to attend residential schools. They were forbidden to speak their own languages, wear their own clothing, or participate in their own cultural celebrations. When the First Nations started to object/rebel, the government made it illegal for them to organize or hire lawyers to help them.

7. Leisure
Radios were a means to a much greater variety of information and entertainment.
Silent movies were very popular in the 1920’s. “Talkies”, which were the first movies with sound, came in the 1930’s.

8. Sports
1920’s – called Canada’s Golden Age of Sports. People were able to attend spectator sports, and hockey games were heard on the radio.
Women started taking part in organized sports. In 1928, women were able to compete in the Olympic Games in Track and Field. Rules were different for women because it was considered unhealthy for women to exert themselves as much as men.

9. Night Clubs
“Flappers” were young, urban women that enjoyed dancing, drinking, and smoking. This was considered scandalous by many.
Fashion was also affected by night clubs, and a new relaxed attitude. Hemlines went up, short hair for women was “in”. Men wore baggy pants, hats, and bow ties.

10. The Great Depression Black Tuesday October 29, 1929
Stocks and Shares: Companies sold stocks in their company to raise money to develop new products or expand business.
People bought stocks…which meant they had a share in the ownership of the company.

11. As the company made money (profit) the person who owned shares received money called a dividend.
During this time of prosperity (1920’s)stock prices climbed.
Oct 29, 1928 prices fell. People tried to sell but no one was buying. The stock market crashed.
The debit accumulated during the 20’s was the main reason for the depression of the 1930’s.