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Period: to
Events from 1914-1929
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Period: to
Years of WWI
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Unemployment rates rise
I ranked this -1 because the unemployment rates were very high and took years to balance it. Due to the demands of industry service, military, and agriculture unemployment had increased by crazy in 19e16. Existing manufacturing orders were canceled, construction was stopped on pre-war civilian projects and many factories were shut down. -
Canadians not liking new Canadians; riots, enemy aliens
I ranked this -2 because newcomer Canadians from eastern and southern Europe spoke neither of the main languages ate different foods and practiced their religion in different ways. Many enemy aliens were considered disloyal no matter how long they had been living in Canada for, they faced internment because of their ethnicity. There were anti-German riots in Berlin, Ont, the town duly then changed the name to Kitchener in September 1916. -
Conscription decision by PM Robert Borden
I ranked this -2 because conscription was wrongful of PM Borden to introduce, it resulted in many Canadians losing their lives at young ages. PM Borden passed the Military Service Act in July 1917 to make up for the lack of enlistments in the army. This act introduced conscription which forced Canadian men over 16 to register for the army whether they liked it or not. -
Women get the right to vote for the first time
I ranked this +2 because of how crucial this is to Canadian history. In 1917 women who were close relatives to men in Armed Forces were allowed to vote. In order for PM Borden to win his election, he used a tactic to appeal to women’s patriotism. He promised to extend the franchise to even more women and so he did. In 1918 women who were older than 21, who were not alien born or Aboriginal, those who met provincial property ownership requirements had the right to vote in federal elections. -
Overpriced things, the rising cost of living, etc...
I ranked this -1 because Canadians were having a hard time affording basic things. The costs of food and basically everything else increased. Farmers were profiting from this but city dwellers complained. Canadians wanted Joseph Flavelle, the head of the Imperial Munitions Board, to be punished for his company’s high profit. “Equality of Sacrifice” was a popular slogan that demanded the rich pay more, the government reluctantly introduced excess profits and income taxes. -
Canada is respected by other countries
I ranked this +2 because when WW1 ended other countries around the globe started to notice Canada and their heroic efforts in the war. Many Canadians understand the WW1 was the birth of modern Canada. The country took more ownership over its own affairs and demanded respect for the price it paid at Vimy, Passchendaele, and other battlefields. They were soon given the respect that Canada deserves. This was significant as Canada got the recognition as their own country. -
Canada’s debt after WWI
I ranked this -2 because after WWI Canada was in a lot of debt which was impactful on the economy. A ‘temporary’ income tax was introduced to help pay for the war, which by 1918 left the government in around $2 billion debt. In 1919, personal and corporate taxes combined accounted for only 3.4% of total federal revenue. The government thought Britain would cover all of Canada’s expenses but since this turned into a total war Britain couldn’t pay so Canada took a $40 million loan from New York. -
Technological advances being made
I ranked this at +1 because the technological advances were beneficial to Canada as time went on. The IMB constructed ships, aircraft, and developed airfields for a large pilot training program. Near 1919 its 600 factories had completed about 103 naval vessels, 2600 training aircraft, and 30 flying boats. tagged with $ -
Canada’s military got bigger and stronger
I ranked this +2 because Canada’s military had improved because of the war. In 1914 before WWI started, Canada was not a military nation Canada had a tiny standing army, a two-ship navy, and no air force. By the end of the war about 620, 000 men and women had put on a uniform from a population of 8 million people. The army had a corps of four divisions and over 100, 000 men fighting in France. -
Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles
I ranked this +2 because Canada signing the Treaty of Versailles was very important, it was the first step of Canada took as to becoming more independent. After many victories on the frontlines, Canada reached a new status around the world. PM Borden believed that Canada deserved an independent seat the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, he insisted upon this and succeeded. This also won Canada a seat at the League of Nations in 1927. -
Economic depression
I ranked this -2 because in 1929 Canada’s economy dropped drastically. Canada’s economy was heavily dependant on natural extraction resources, Canada was hit hard by the Great Depression. This took a toll on Canada, unemployment rates soared, industrial production collapsed, millions of Canadians were homeless and demands for consumer goods disappeared.
