1930s Politics Ms. Campbell Socials 11

Responding to the Depression During the 1930s Prime Minister Mackenzie King was unprepared to deal with the realities of the Great Depression. He believed that the situation was temporary and that the economy would recover by itself. During the 1930s Prime Minister Mackenzie King was unprepared to deal with the realities of the Great Depression. He believed that the situation was temporary and that the economy would recover by itself.

Responding to the Depression In the 1930 election, King lost to Conservative Richard Bedford Bennett (R.B. Bennett) who got a majority government In the 1930 election, King lost to Conservative Richard Bedford Bennett (R.B. Bennett) who got a majority government

Responding to the Depression Bennett also didn’t believe in government relief, but he did introduce some measures to help Canadians. Bennett also didn’t believe in government relief, but he did introduce some measures to help Canadians. Unemployment Relief Act Unemployment Relief Act –Gave the provinces $20 million for work- creation programs –BUT this did NOT help the economy!

Responding to the Depression Raising Tariffs Raising Tariffs –Raised tariffs often by more than 50% –BUT this did more harm than good because other countries created trade barriers against Canada Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act –This was meant to help farmers build irrigation systems and reservoirs –BUT by this point drought and poverty had forced many families to leave their farms

Responding to the Depression The Red Scare was a fear of Communism spreading The Red Scare was a fear of Communism spreading

Responding to the Depression In 1935 the On-to-Ottawa Trek was when more than 1000 men left relief camps in BC and gathered in Vancouver to protest. The men decided to go straight to Ottawa with their complaints. In 1935 the On-to-Ottawa Trek was when more than 1000 men left relief camps in BC and gathered in Vancouver to protest. The men decided to go straight to Ottawa with their complaints. They rode the rails as far as Regina when Bennett called in the RCMP to stop them. One officer was killed, many were injured, and 130 protesters were arrested – this became known as the Regina Riot. They rode the rails as far as Regina when Bennett called in the RCMP to stop them. One officer was killed, many were injured, and 130 protesters were arrested – this became known as the Regina Riot.

Responding to the Depression In the United States President Roosevelt introduced something called the “New Deal” that created public work programs. The US Federal government spent billions of dollars to get the economy working again. In the United States President Roosevelt introduced something called the “New Deal” that created public work programs. The US Federal government spent billions of dollars to get the economy working again. Programs such as the Social Security Act provided things such as old age pension, unemployment insurance, and financial assistance for dependent mothers Programs such as the Social Security Act provided things such as old age pension, unemployment insurance, and financial assistance for dependent mothers

Responding to the Depression

In Canada Bennett also introduced a “New Deal.” This focused on five key issues. In Canada Bennett also introduced a “New Deal.” This focused on five key issues. Fair and progressive taxation Fair and progressive taxation –People who made more paid more Insurance Insurance –illness, injury, unemployment Workplace Reforms Workplace Reforms –Work hours, minimum wages, working conditions Revised Old-Age Pension Revised Old-Age Pension Agricultural Support Programs Agricultural Support Programs –Created the Canadian Wheat Board to regulate prices

Politics of Protest The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) –Founded in the prairie provinces in 1932 –Canada’s first Socialist party –Believed that capitalism breeds inequality and greed –Wanted a government controlled economy so Canadians would benefit equally –The Party Platform was known as the Regina Manifesto  Opposed free-market economics  Wanted public ownership  Wanted social programs to help the elderly, the unemployed, the homeless and the sick

Politics of Protest The Social Credit Party The Social Credit Party –Believed that capitalism was a wasteful economic system –Promised each citizen a “basic dividend” of $25 a month to buy necessities  The Federal government challenged the right of a province to issue social credit and social credit was banned by the Supreme Court –This party survived in Alberta until 1971!

Politics of Protest Union Nationale Union Nationale –This party supported Quebec nationalism –The party wanted improved working conditions, social insurance programs, and publically owned power –In reality leader Maurice Duplessis did little to improve conditions

Politics of Protest By 1935 people were annoyed with Bennett and Mackenzie King was returned to power – but he still didn’t believe in government spending! By 1935 people were annoyed with Bennett and Mackenzie King was returned to power – but he still didn’t believe in government spending! Unemployment had caused tension between Federal and Provincial governments Unemployment had caused tension between Federal and Provincial governments

Politics of Protest The 1937 Rowell-Sirois Report recommended equalization payments The 1937 Rowell-Sirois Report recommended equalization payments –The transfer of money from rich to poor provinces –Rich provinces hated this! –When WW2 broke out this report was largely pushed aside

Politics Abroad Not only North America suffered an economic slowdown! Not only North America suffered an economic slowdown! The Depression hit Germany hard The Depression hit Germany hard –Resented the War Guilt Clause of the Treaty of Versailles that made them pay $32 billion in reparations –The German economy was under great pressure –The German government printed large amounts of money in the 1920s which essentially made it worthless

Germany

Politics Abroad In Japan government spending was increased to counteract the reduced amount of raw materials coming from the US In Japan government spending was increased to counteract the reduced amount of raw materials coming from the US –Japan also started to aggressively expand its territory Russia and several other communist countries formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Russia and several other communist countries formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) –This economic system protected the USSR from the depression –BUT leader Joseph Stalin was a ruthless dictator!

In-Class Essay How did Canada’s Autonomy increase from 1914 – 1939?