The Only Constant was Change for Farmers, Minorities, and Women Between 1914 and 1945- Claire S
By msc1615
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Women in the workplace during the Great Depression (1929-1939)
The stock market crash of 1929, and drops in world commodity prices and economic demand and credit led to a world-wide decade long Great Depression, which caused a decline in global trade and a rise in unemployment. Faced with demands to limit families to one paid job, many women lost their jobs if their husbands were employed, while others found low paying light manufacturing or domestic work. However, the majority worked as housewives. -
Continuity or Change
This event represents a change from what women experienced after WWI when they were laid off once the men returned from war, but with new professional opportunities for women including social work, physiotherapy, and clerical positions, women reached wartime work levels by the 1920s. More women were also entering university in the late 20s. This change was a decline for women in the 30s as the Great Depression reversed any gains made, and women returned to low pay and domestic service work. -
Internment of Italian-Canadians during WWII
In August 1939, the federal government put the War Measures Act into effect giving the Minister of Justice power to detain anyone whose actions were harmful to public safety, or the safety of Canada. As a result, enemy aliens and Canadian citizens could be interned. When Italy joined the war, 600 Italian men, who were thought to be facist sympathizers, were held in camps across Canada. In addition, 31,000 registered Italian-Canadian enemy aliens had to report to registrars or the RCMP monthly. -
Continuity or Change
This event represents a change from what Italian-Canadians experienced during WWI when Italy was an ally of France, Britain, Russia, and Japan (Entente Powers), and Italian-Canadians were not subject to internment. This change was a decline for the Italians who were held in camps in Kananaskis, Alberta; Petawawa, Ontario; and Fredericton, New Brunswick; and for the Italian-Canadians who were tracked by the RCMP. Both groups lost their civil rights and liberties. -
Internment of Japanese-Canadians during WWII
With the War Measures Act in place, all Japanese-Canadians, regardless of citizenship, had to register with the government in March 1941, declaring them enemy aliens. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong in December 1941, the RCMP interned 38 Japanese nationals, and later, 720 Japanese-Canadian citizens who resisted separation from their family. In February 1942, 21,000 Japanese-Canadians were removed from their homes (66% Canadian born, 77% Canadain citizens), and 12,000 were exiled. -
Continuity or Change
This event represents a change from what Japanese-Canadians experienced during WWI when Japan was an ally of France, Britain, Russia, and Italy (Entente Powers), and Japanese-Canadians were not subject to internment. This change was a decline for Japanese-Canadians as over 90% were detained by the Canadian government. The government also restricted their activities, took and later sold their belongings, and deported 4,000 of them after WWII ended. -
Introduction of the Wheat Reduction Acreage Program
Agriculture minister James Gardiner gave Canadian farmers a radio update on the Allies’ struggles against Nazi Germany for control of the North Atlantic, and then asked for help. He introduced the Wheat Reduction Acreage Program to encourage wheat farmers to grow less wheat and more coarse grains, grass, and hay to feed hogs and cattle. He also asked hog and cattle farmers to increase hog, cheese, and butter production to supply Britain’s demands. The program transformed Canadian agriculture. -
Continuity or Change
This event represents a change from what farmers experienced between 1914-1929. Through the program, the government paid wheat farmers $8 per acre to plant summer fallow and $4 per acre to plant oats and barley, guaranteed minimum prices for oats and barley, and reduced shipping costs to Ontario and Quebec hog farmers. This change was progress for farmers as they were incentivized to expand their crops and to increase production. -
Continuity or Change
This event represents a change from what women experienced in WWI when opportunities were limited to trained nurses of British citizenship who were physically fit and between 21 and 38 years old. A total of 2,504 Canadian Army Medical Corps nurses were deployed overseas to provide comfort and care for injured soldiers. This change was progress for women who wanted to serve in the war and successfully persuaded the government to form women’s military organizations, paving the way for others. -
Women join new military organizations
In 1941, Canada started recruiting women to serve in WWII. For the first time, women could serve Canada in uniform as a member of one of three new women’s military organizations: Canadian Women’s Army Corps, the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division, and the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service. Over 50,000 women served in the armed forces as mechanics, parachute riggers, wireless operators, clerks, telephone operators, and photographers. -
Conscription Crisis of 1944
After the Normandy campaign in August 1944, the Allies faced a shortage of troops. Prime Minister Mackenzie King agreed to send conscripts overseas. During this time, farmers were busy meeting demands for bacon, cheese, and butter from Britons on the front line, despite a shortage of labour from those leaving to join the armed forces, or high paying industry jobs. However, the government's exemption of farmers’ sons and farm labourers from compulsory military service reduced labour shortages. -
Continuity or Change
This event is a change from what farmers experienced in 1917, when they urged Prime Minister Border to exempt their sons from conscription. Borden, needing votes, agreed, but changed his mind by April 1918 with ongoing casualties overseas and recruitment shortages at home. This change was progress for farmers who benefited from their sons’ help to dramatically increase production to help feed the troops in WWII. This led to new respect and recognition for their contributions to the war effort. -
Bibliography
“The Farmer's War.” Canadians At Arms, 19 July 2020, www.canadiansatarms.ca/the-farmers-war/. Connelly , M. P. “Women in the Labour Force.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-in-the-labour-force. -
Bibliography
Anderson , Doris. “Status of Women.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/status-of-women. Rotondi, Jessica Pearce. “Underpaid, But Employed: How the Great Depression Affected Working Women.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 11 Mar. 2019, www.history.com/news/working-women-great-depression. -
Bibliography
“History At a Glance: Women in World War II: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/women-wwii. -
Bibliography
Marsh , James H. “Japanese Canadian Internment: Prisoners in Their Own Country.” Japanese Canadian Internment: Prisoners in Their Own Country | The Canadian Encyclopedia, 23 Feb. 2012, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/japanese-internment-banished-and-beyond-tears-feature. -
Bibliography
Stacey , C. P. “Second World War (WWII).” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 15 July 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/second-world-war-wwii. Canada, Veterans Affairs. “Women at War.” Historical Sheet - Second World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada, 14 Feb. 2019, www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/historical-sheets/women. -
Bibliography
“The War Economy - Farming and Food.” Canada and the First World War, www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-home-during-the-war/the-war-economy/farming-and-food/. Roy, Patricia E. “Internment in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 11 June 2020, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/internment#. -
Bibliography
Museum, Canadian War. “The War Economy and Controls: Agriculture.” WarMuseum.ca - Democracy at War - Agriculture - Canada and the War, www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/canadawar/agriculture_e.html. -
Bibliography- Photos
Rotondi, Jessica Pearce. “Underpaid, But Employed: How the Great Depression Affected Working Women.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 11 Mar. 2019, www.history.com/news/working-women-great-depression. Roy, Patricia E. “Internment in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 11 June 2020, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/internment. -
Bibliography- Photos
Tominaga, Takaki. “Japanese-Canadians Weigh a Harsh WWII Experience - One That Surpassed Their U.S. Cousins.” The Japan Times, 30 Sept. 2018, www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/09/30/national/history/japanese-canadians-weigh-harsh-wwii-experience-one-surpassed-u-s-cousins/. -
Bibliography- Photos
“Wartime Recruiting Poster, This Is Our Battle Too Join the CANADIAN WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS.” Search the Collections | Canadian War Museum, www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1029192/. -
Bibliography- Photos
“Conscription Crisis of 1944.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Dec. 2020, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_Crisis_of_1944. Jenish, D'Arcy. “The Farmers' War.” Legion Magazine, 10 June 2020, www.legionmagazine.com/en/2011/07/the-farmers-war/.
