The 1920s was The 1920s was berries man, and that berries man, and that

ain’t no baloney….ain’t no baloney….

Good times of ProsperityGood times of Prosperity Prosperity : Prosperity : a successful, flourishing, or thriving

condition, especially in financial respects; good fortune.

WHY?WHY? Wages were risingWages were rising Workers were Workers were spending moneyspending money on new inventions like on new inventions like

cars, radios and electric appliancescars, radios and electric appliances – more money going – more money going into the economy meant a better economyinto the economy meant a better economy

Rural Canadians felt Rural Canadians felt less isolatedless isolated due to the telephone, due to the telephone, radios and carsradios and cars

People were suddenly People were suddenly confident in the economyconfident in the economy and and investing in the stock marketinvesting in the stock market, resulting in a boom, resulting in a boom

LEISURELEISURE New fashionsNew fashions: flappers were wild young women who : flappers were wild young women who

dressed outrageously to attract attentiondressed outrageously to attract attention Men greased back their hair and wore baggy pants, bow Men greased back their hair and wore baggy pants, bow

ties and bright hatsties and bright hats Popular Popular new musicnew music was jazz was jazz DancingDancing became popular, especially the Charleston became popular, especially the Charleston Spectator sportsSpectator sports became popular, including baseball, became popular, including baseball,

hockey and footballhockey and football Up until the 1920s, all Up until the 1920s, all moviesmovies were silent. Now “talkies” were silent. Now “talkies”

came out.came out. Canadian actress Mary Pickford was known as Canadian actress Mary Pickford was known as

“America’s Sweetheart” “America’s Sweetheart”

Unfortunately Flat Unfortunately Flat tires thinking tires thinking

they are the cat’s they are the cat’s meow always meow always

makin’ things all makin’ things all wet…wet…

Politics NowPolitics Now

Conservative PartyConservative Party Liberal PartyLiberal Party

Politics NowPolitics Now Bloc QuebecoisBloc Quebecois New Democratic Party NDPNew Democratic Party NDP Green PartyGreen Party

Politics Then – 20s/30sPolitics Then – 20s/30sThe two largest political parties were the The two largest political parties were the

same as now…same as now…

LiberalsLiberals Vs. Vs. ConservativesConservativesLiberal Leader MacKenzie King 1919 Liberal Leader MacKenzie King 1919

(following Laurier’s death) PM in 1921(following Laurier’s death) PM in 1921Conservative Leader R. B. Bennett Conservative Leader R. B. Bennett PM in PM in

19301930

Politics Then (1920s)Politics Then (1920s)For places outside of Central Canada – the For places outside of Central Canada – the

“roar” of prosperity of the 1920s was “roar” of prosperity of the 1920s was hardly felt in places where farming and hardly felt in places where farming and fishing were the main industries.fishing were the main industries.

People were starting to feel that the People were starting to feel that the business interests of Ontario and Quebec business interests of Ontario and Quebec were directing the national agenda.were directing the national agenda.

This lead to protest movements in the West This lead to protest movements in the West and the Maritimes.and the Maritimes.

Politics Then (1920s)Politics Then (1920s) Regional protest parties that developed in Regional protest parties that developed in

CanadaCanada

1)1) The Progressive PartyThe Progressive Party

2)2) The Maritimes Rights MovementThe Maritimes Rights Movement

Politics ThenPolitics Then The Progressive PartyThe Progressive Party which emerged in the 1920s which emerged in the 1920s

representing the interests of farmers became the representing the interests of farmers became the official opposition in the 1921 election winning more official opposition in the 1921 election winning more seats than the conservatives!! (64 seats PP, 50 CP)seats than the conservatives!! (64 seats PP, 50 CP)

However the party did not last – the farmers were However the party did not last – the farmers were united on the tariff issue but divided on public control united on the tariff issue but divided on public control of railways and utilities and the marketing of grain.of railways and utilities and the marketing of grain.

The Liberals lured away some of the Progressive The Liberals lured away some of the Progressive voters and the 1930 election only saw them win 12 voters and the 1930 election only saw them win 12 seats.seats.

By 1932 the remaining Progressives joined with By 1932 the remaining Progressives joined with labour and farm groups to form the Cooperative labour and farm groups to form the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).Commonwealth Federation (CCF).

Politics Then Politics Then The Maritimes Rights MovementThe Maritimes Rights Movement They believed that all of Canada was responsible for any They believed that all of Canada was responsible for any

region that was economically disadvantaged by its geographic region that was economically disadvantaged by its geographic location. location.

They wanted subsidies for Maritime provincesThey wanted subsidies for Maritime provinces More international trade through ports such as Halifax, NS and More international trade through ports such as Halifax, NS and

Saint John, NB.Saint John, NB. Higher tariffs to protect the region’s steel and coal industriesHigher tariffs to protect the region’s steel and coal industries Depopulation of the Maritimes meant a drop in representatives Depopulation of the Maritimes meant a drop in representatives

in the House of Commons.in the House of Commons. MacKenzie King did not want to lose the support of the MacKenzie King did not want to lose the support of the

growing West – so he did not grant the high tariff and growing West – so he did not grant the high tariff and American coal and steal flooded the Canadian marketAmerican coal and steal flooded the Canadian market

Discouraged the Maritime movement disbanded in 1926.Discouraged the Maritime movement disbanded in 1926.

1930s Politics 1930s Politics was all balled was all balled

up with the new up with the new Big Cheese…Big Cheese…

Politics Then (1930s)Politics Then (1930s)1) Conservatives -R.B. Bennett’s1) Conservatives -R.B. Bennett’s New Deal New Deal

(Came into power 1930-1935)(Came into power 1930-1935) Based on American model (Roosevelt’s New Deal)Based on American model (Roosevelt’s New Deal) Included: Included: -progressive taxation-progressive taxation

-maximum work week-maximum work week-minimum wage-minimum wage-unemployment insurance-unemployment insurance-old age pensions-old age pensions**Bennett lost the election to **Bennett lost the election to William Lyon MacKenzie William Lyon MacKenzie

King King in 1935in 1935 (Liberal) (Liberal)

Politics ThenPolitics Then2)2) Co-operative Commonwealth Co-operative Commonwealth

Federation (CCF) Federation (CCF) founded in 1933founded in 1933

Led by Led by J.S. WoodsworthJ.S. Woodsworth Party made up of farmers, labour leaders, Party made up of farmers, labour leaders,

intellectualsintellectualsWanted government support for the poor Wanted government support for the poor

and unemployed and unemployed

Politics ThenPolitics Then3) Social Credit Party –3) Social Credit Party – gained power in 1935, gained power in 1935,

founded in 1934founded in 1934

Thought citizens should spend their way out Thought citizens should spend their way out of the Depressionof the Depression

Leader Leader William “Bible Bill” AberhartWilliam “Bible Bill” Aberhart proposed giving every adult $25/monthproposed giving every adult $25/month

Won provincial election in Alberta in 1935 Won provincial election in Alberta in 1935

Politics ThenPolitics Then4) Union Nationale – 4) Union Nationale – gained power in 1936gained power in 1936

Quebec party led by Quebec party led by Maurice DuplessisMaurice DuplessisBelieved that Quebeckers should have more Believed that Quebeckers should have more

control over their own economycontrol over their own economyHad lots of success in Quebec provincial Had lots of success in Quebec provincial

politicspolitics

Politics ThenPolitics Then5) The Communist Party5) The Communist Party

A small but active party led by Tim BuckA small but active party led by Tim BuckKnown as the Known as the “red menace”“red menace” (red was associated with (red was associated with

revolution and the color of the communist Soviet Union flag)revolution and the color of the communist Soviet Union flag)

Wanted to change the Canada’s economic Wanted to change the Canada’s economic system by starting a revolution – rallies system by starting a revolution – rallies included workers and the unemployedincluded workers and the unemployed

The party was outlawed and Buck was jailed The party was outlawed and Buck was jailed from 1932-1934.from 1932-1934.

Women in Women in Politics – The Politics – The Real McCoy… Real McCoy…

Women in PoliticsWomen in Politics Women gained the right to vote federally in 1918.Women gained the right to vote federally in 1918. They thought having the right to vote would bring greater They thought having the right to vote would bring greater

equality for women and allow them a more active role in equality for women and allow them a more active role in public life.public life.

By 1920, women won the right to vote in federal By 1920, women won the right to vote in federal elections and provinicial elections with the exception of elections and provinicial elections with the exception of Quebec. Quebec.

The 1921 federal election was the first election where The 1921 federal election was the first election where women over age of 21 could vote and run for political women over age of 21 could vote and run for political office.office.

Five women ran for office.Five women ran for office. Agnes Macphail (ON) was elected.Agnes Macphail (ON) was elected. She was re-elected 4 times and was an Member of She was re-elected 4 times and was an Member of

Parliament (MP) until 1935.Parliament (MP) until 1935.

Women in PoliticsWomen in Politics Macphail endured plenty of gender Macphail endured plenty of gender

discrimination by her male colleagues and was discrimination by her male colleagues and was treated condescendingly being called “lady” treated condescendingly being called “lady” instead of by her name.instead of by her name.

But she held her own. But she held her own. ““I’m not a lady, I’m an MP. This old-fashioned I’m not a lady, I’m an MP. This old-fashioned

chivalry is all hollow. It means nothing except chivalry is all hollow. It means nothing except men think women inferior. I’m no Gulf stream in men think women inferior. I’m no Gulf stream in the cold ocean of political life.”the cold ocean of political life.”

Men would say “Don’t you wish you were a Men would say “Don’t you wish you were a man?” Her response: “Don’t you?”man?” Her response: “Don’t you?”

Women in Politics - Persons CaseWomen in Politics - Persons Case

Constitutionally women were not “persons” in Canada until October Constitutionally women were not “persons” in Canada until October of1929. of1929.

Declarations under the British North American Act declared that only Declarations under the British North American Act declared that only “qualified persons” could become senators. Other laws had similar “qualified persons” could become senators. Other laws had similar wordings.wordings.

Five Alberta women led the challenge to prove and win that yes, Five Alberta women led the challenge to prove and win that yes, women were persons under the law.women were persons under the law.

The famous five as they became known saw the legal battle last The famous five as they became known saw the legal battle last through a decade:through a decade:

1) Emily Murphy, first woman judge in British Empire1) Emily Murphy, first woman judge in British Empire2) Irene Parlby, first woman cabinet minister in Canada2) Irene Parlby, first woman cabinet minister in Canada3) Nellie McClung, Member of Alberta legislature3) Nellie McClung, Member of Alberta legislature4) Henrietta Edwards and Louise McKinney- suffragists and 4) Henrietta Edwards and Louise McKinney- suffragists and prohibitionistsprohibitionists

After the “persons case” the women’s movement lost momentum After the “persons case” the women’s movement lost momentum until the 1960s!until the 1960s!