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Period: to
World War 1
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The War Measures Act (-1)
The War Measures Act gave the Canadian government the ability to do anything it thought was necessary during the war without having to go through parliament. Although it was meant to be used for safety/protection, it helped the gov. to get by in violating laws and human rights. Innocent citizens (a majority of which were born in Canada) were deemed "Enemy Aliens" and separated from their families and placed in dirty internment camps where many of them died. -
Prohibition (+0)
Prohibition had a great impact on Canada, both positively and negatively. Grain was being used to make alcohol instead of food to feed hungry families and soldiers were wasting their money on booze instead of supporting their families. When prohibition took effect it ended alcoholism and alcohol related crimes, as well as improving workers and making citizens healthier and safer. The social and economic downsides to prohibition were the increase in alcohol smuggling and illegal activity. -
The Spanish Flu (-2)
As soldiers returned home from the war, the country was struck with a terrible epidemic called the "Spanish flu" or Influenza. Soldiers coming home carried the virus with them overseas to their friends and families. To stop the spread of the flu, schools, theatres, and churches closed their doors, much like today's issues with the coronavirus pandemic. Some communities even tried to encourage a total quarantine, allowing no one to travel in or out, harming businesses and employees. -
End of World War 1/Armistice (+1)
Canada returned from the war as a proud and victorious country, but it also mourned the losses of many soldiers. Soldiers returned to their families intact but many were also left scarred or with PTSD. After the war was over, Canada had around $2 billion worth of debt, owed to hospitals, memorials, families...etc. Racism within German communities also took place and their shops were burnt and boycotted. Canada joined the new League of Nations. Canadians took pride in their success in WW1. -
The "Group of Seven" Formed (+1)
The Group of Seven is best known for their paintings inspired by the Canadian landscape, and initiated the first major Canadian national art movement. The Group of Seven had a significant impact on Canadian art and the development of Canadian identity. Their mission was to express Canada's wilderness in a distinctively "Canadian" style (differing from European styles). They inspired many Canadians. -
Residential Schools (-2)
Thousands of Indigenous children were killed in residential schools from the 1870s to the 1990s. They were stripped of their culture and forced into being "white-washed" and converted to fit in with the Canadian/European society. The conditions of these schools were inhumane and those who made it out alive most likely dealt with some form of PTSD. Canada got a very bad rep from the way it treated the First Nations. -
The Discovery of Insulin (+2)
The discovery of insulin provided a boost of medical research and people supporting it in Canada. Canada would finally be recognized by other countries across the world for its life-changing discovery. Canada was awarded its first Nobel Prize after Sir Fredrick Banting, Charles Best, and John Macleod made the discovery of insulin. -
The Halibut Treaty (+1)
In March 1923, Canada and the United States negotiated a treaty about fishing rights in the Pacific Ocean. This is a significant event in Canadian history because it was the first time Canada signed a treaty on its own. This showed that Canada doesn't need to be dependent on Britain and can handle foreign affairs on their own. This was one of the first major steps the Prime Minister took in making Canada more independent. -
Person's Case/The Famous 5 (+2)
The Person's Case was fought for by a group of women called “The Famous Five”. Lead by Emily Murphy, the group tried to obtain equal rights for both men and women. On October 18, 1929, women were considered "persons" and had their own rights. They were finally allowed to vote and have seats in the Senate. Although this seems like a victory for women, they were still discriminated and men were often hired over them for jobs. The Person's Case still resulted in a fairer country than before. -
Black Tuesday/Great Depression (-2)
"Black Tuesday" was the day the stock market crashed in October and was one of the most dramatic events attributing to the cause of the Great Depression. In the 1920s, many people were involved in stocks. The Great Crash was followed by the Great Depression. People who invested in the stock market lost everything in the crash. Many citizens were left broke, unemployed, or homeless during the depression.
