WWI definitive point in 20 th century WWI, the United States turned inwards and many nations struggled with inflation

o WLMK failed to recognize this magnitude of the economic crisis o King believed that government had no role to play in economy o Canadians expected government to end crisis o Conservative opponent, R.B. Bennett, promised jobs for all those willing to work and high tariffs to protect Canadian industries o King offered no plans for reducing unemployment or helping the economy In fact…………

William Lyon Mackenzie King “With respect to giving monies out of the federal treasury to any Tory government in this country for these alleged unemployment purposes, with these governments situated as they are today, with politics diametrically opposed to those of this government, I would not give them a five-cent piece.” Prime Minister WLMK, House of Commons, April

o Unemployed workers pelted King with wooden nickels o On election day, voters expressed their discontent with King and the Liberals by giving Bennett and the Conservatives a large majority. o Bennett responded by applying traditional economic policies:  Raised tariffs in response to other countries raising tariffs  Offered some protection, however devastated exports which dropped by 67 % companies responded with layoffs and declaring bankruptcy

“Making tariffs right for you!” “Blast a way into markets that have been closed.” CANADA

1930 Imperial Conference 1932 Ottawa Economic Conference 1. UK imposed higher tariffs on a number of non-Empire goods of interest to the dominions 2. Britain received a promise from Canada, New-Zealand and Australia to protect only “plausible industries” and to not impose prohibitive duties on other manufactured goods

o Resourceful Canadians had to look for ways to support themselves  Door to door sales, work for room and board, borrowed money from family, depended on churches and charities o RELIEF: Financial assistance from the government to help support unemployed citizens; today it is called welfare  Must live in community for 6 months, give up driver’s license and remove telephone from homes to qualify o Women- unacceptable to “take a job away from a man”

o Many men left families and homes in search of work across the country o “Rode the rails” on top of boxcars or on the rods beneath the cars  Travelled West, but no jobs on prairies so continued on to B.C.  Riding the Rails Video o Relief Camps were located in remote parts of the country  over single men went to live in relief camps  paid 20 cents a day for hard labour and ate poor quality food

o Frustrated with conditions in the camps, the men went on strike demanding better conditions  In June, launched the On-to-Ottawa Trek 1600 men riding the rails to Ottawa to confront the PM o Determined to stop the trains, Bennett ordered the RCMP to stop the protesters in Regina  He invited the leaders to Ottawa to discuss their concerns  However, talks broke down and frustrated, the leaders returned to Regina Bennett ordered local police to arrest the men, a riot broke out. One plain clothes officer was killed and several protestors were injured

Bennett’s New Deal Extra money for relief and raised tariffs did little to help the country’s economy By 1933, the Great Depression created economic hardships unseen in the past Many blamed Bennett for being indecisive and ineffective

Bennett’s New Deal FDR’s New Deal- was a series of radical social reforms aimed at providing relief and economic recovery January 1935 Bennett announced his New Deal –Unemployment insurance –Minimum Wage Critics charged that Bennett was making a last ditch effort to win re-election The Liberal campaign was “King or Chaos!” –Liberals returned to power with 173 seats compared to the Conservatives 40

WLMK Returns King inherited a dismal economy Did little to tackle unemployment, however: –Invested money in public works projects In the end, King’s return did little to bring Canada out of the Great Depression………..

Comprehension Questions (86-88) 1.Why do you think unemployed workers responded so forcefully to King’s “five-cent piece.” 2.What was the government's policy towards Aboriginals before the Great Depression? How did the Great Depression change the policy? 3.Explain the impact of the Great Depression on First Nations. 4.Explain the impact of the Great Depression on the Inuit? 5.Complete the provided graphic organizer on “The Emergence of Political Alternatives” (95-5)