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August 14 1914: Britain declared war against Germany WW1
Canada was one of Britain's colonies at this time, they had agreements that if Britain ever went to war, that Canada had to fight with them too. The war escalated fast since 25% of the world was Britain’s colonies, and they had the same agreement as Canada. Canada then sent around 25,000 soldiers to help support England. The war became larger and larger until most of the world was involved. This war was very bad for Canada and many people lost loved ones and family. -
World War 1 and the Canadian Economy
The war threatened Canada's economy. Many manufacturing orders were canceled, most factories were shut down, and construction projects shut down. Everyone was afraid that the war would cause a huge problem in Canada’s economy. War supplies, equipment, and shells were needed and helped the economy and created jobs. in 1916 people were working again in factories making weapons, and the farming industry was doing well again. -
Farming "Farmerettes" 1918
There wasn't farm labour and so the government asked older children for help. They were called “farmerettes” and helped in all of the farm work. In 1918, for example, 2,400 women picked fruit in the Niagara area. The Young Women’s Christian Association also helped work on the farms. Some other organizations helped too. Many women helped with farm work, as they had before the war, but now they often did without their husbands, sons, or labourers. This was so helpful at this time. -
Fight With Food/No Waste
In 1917, Canada needed to have food and fuel workers to help with production and have no waste so there would be no shortages. A new Board of Grain Supervisors helped with the selling of wheat and sold it to European countries. By early 1918, the new Canada Food Board licensed had food or ingredient substitutes for items. Newspapers had special “war menus”. For local hydro and power shortages, they sometimes closed schools and factories for a short period of time. -
The War Is Over
Treaty of Versailles, signed 28 June 1919. Canada lost 61,000 soldiers. When all of the soldiers came home, they were out of jobs. Many went back to farming, but most looked for jobs in factories. After the war there was a need for goods and services. Chemical and steel plants were shut down. There were many years of unemployment and it took many years to recover from that. -
1920s
1920
Canada began in the 1920s in a state of economic depression. Wheat remained an important export for Canada and there was growth and natural resources and manufacturing. Canadian Pulp and Paper Industries grew and new mills were being built around the country. Their supply of natural resources and their exports gave the economy what it needed to make the 1920s a happier time. -
The Ford Plant
In the 1920s US branch plants became popular. They were American companies and the products were still made in Canada. Most of these plants were built in Ontario and Quebec. They were very successful and gave Canadians job and training opportunities. The Ford car plant was built in Windsor Ontario. -
The Halibut Treaty
the Halibut treaty 1923
I think this is not just a political issue but an economic one. Canada decided to sign a treaty without the presence of a British official. The treaty was about fishing rights in the Pacific Ocean. This was the first time Canada signed a treaty on its own. During the 1920s halibut workers used to catch about 1,500 lb of fish. It was good for the economy. -
Roaring Twenties
Demand for Canadian raw materials increased after 1926. Americans needed Canada's natural resources to manufacture their products. Trade between America and Canada grew, and trade between Britain and Canada became less. The Canadian economy benefited from the US economy. -
The Stock Market Crash Of 1929.
In late October 1929, the stock exchange of North America had a huge crash. It was called the Great crash and it was followed by the Great Depression. It started on October 24th, 1929, and this was called black Thursday. The New York Stock Exchange had massive declines in trading and it extended to the Toronto markets.
