Economic Impact of the Great Depression Available msbeenen.wikispaces.com

Impact Canada was just beginning to shift from primary industry (farming etc) to manufacturing industry. The depression caused exports of raw materials to plunge. As mentioned last class, because of Canada’s economic position with the States, we received a major blow during the depression.

Unemployment Urban unemployment nationwide> 19% 1933: 30% of the labour force is now unemployed 1/5 of the population now relies on government assistance to keep them afloat. Even if you had a job, your wages fell drastically.

Prairie Provinces Hardest hit due to the drought. Nearly two thirds of the population of these provinces are on relief services. People start moving to the cities to find work, this caused population to fall below the replacement level (more people were dying than giving birth, enough to wipe out a population) Many riots, movements, and deaths occur during this time due to frustration and politics

The Prairies

Women Housewives relied on the money from their husbands to keep their families alive When the depression hits, they use strategies they learned from their mothers. Use cheap foods, patch and mend instead of replace clothes, trade with neighbours. Some women did domestic duties for cash such as laundry. Some traded their skills for food and clothing Contraceptions were used to make sure no extra mouths were added to the family.

Teachers School budgets were cut majorly but enrolment increased> no jobs means more students. New teachers were not hired so the average age of teachers and experience increased. Women were discriminated against, especially married women> it was not “fair” for a family to have two incomes at this point. Teachers unions could do little to protect them.

$100 WILL BUY THIS CAR. MUST HAVE CASH LOST ALL ON THE STOCK MARKET

Labour Policy large corporations had invested in machines to replace skilled workers Smaller businesses couldn’t compete, you needed to pay for a workers time and effort and people didn’t have the money or taste for it. Unions in Canada started changing, becoming more like the States> forceful and harmonous.

Things to Come: Movements/Riots Politics of the Great Depression The Great Depression around the World Germany and the GD Escape and Recovery

Class Tasks Finish up your photo stories (10 mins max) Hand them in! Get together with your groups or work independently on your speakeasy assignment.