Canadian History: Wilfrid Laurier Era

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Questions and Answers

What is the main characteristic of Laissez-Faire Capitalism?

Complete control of industries by the state

Minimum governmental interference in economic affairs (correct)

Heavy government regulation of trade

Significant public ownership of resources

What was one of the consequences of Laissez-Faire Capitalism?

Reduction in private credit availability

Ineffective financial regulation (correct)

Increased governmental intervention in economy

Decline in private ownership of industries

What political change did the election of Union Nationale in 1936 represent?

A rejection of rural lifestyles

Further expansion of government powers

A challenge to capitalism and democracy (correct)

Increased support for capitalist policies

Who was the Premier of Quebec in 1936, known for promoting rural life during the Depression?

Maurice Duplessis Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key factors that contributed to the development of Canada’s manufacturing sector during the second phase of industrialization?

The large influx of immigrants creating a labor force Signup and view all the answers

Which resource was identified as the largest export from Canada’s prairies during this period?

Wheat Signup and view all the answers

What economic approach did the provincial Liberal government advocate between 1897-1936?

Economic liberalism with low taxes and limited regulations Signup and view all the answers

During Wilfrid Laurier's time, which policy was maintained regarding imported products?

High customs duties were imposed Signup and view all the answers

What role did the state play in the economic development of Quebec during this period?

Exploiting its natural resources for profit Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the First World War for Canada’s industrial sector?

Maximized factory outputs and increased shipbuilding Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a growing sector during the second phase of industrialization?

Textile manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did companies in Quebec adopt to maximize their profits?

Acquiring competing companies to monopolize product marketing Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Canada's total population joined the military during World War I?

8% Signup and view all the answers

How many Canadian soldiers went overseas during World War I?

400,000 Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of demobilization for women during the post-war period?

Women lost many jobs due to returning soldiers. Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason internment camps were established in Canada during WWI?

To imprison enemy aliens. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary mission of the League of Nations, created in 1919?

To ensure world peace. Signup and view all the answers

What significant report in 1926 recognized the autonomy of dominions like Canada?

The Balfour Report Signup and view all the answers

During World War I, how many Canadians returned from the war with injuries?

150,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which Canadian provinces employed forced labor from prisoners in internment camps?

Nova Scotia and Ontario Signup and view all the answers

What significant document did Canada participate in that marked its representation as a country in 1919?

The Treaty of Versailles Signup and view all the answers

What year did Canada gain almost complete autonomy from the United Kingdom, as per the Statute of Westminster?

1931 Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Prime Minister of Canada during the 1926 Imperial Conference where autonomy was discussed?

William Lyon Mackenzie King Signup and view all the answers

Which group did not receive the right to vote federally until 1918 following women's suffrage movements in Canada?

Quebec women Signup and view all the answers

What was the average wage of women compared to men in 1931?

56% Signup and view all the answers

What institution opened in 1908 to provide education specifically for girls in Canada?

École d'enseignement supérieur Signup and view all the answers

What was a major outcome of the Balfour Report for Britain's dominions, including Canada?

Equality in relations Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the League of Nations get founded, marking an important moment for Canada's international representation?

1919 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the War Measures Act adopted by Canada in 1914?

To increase government intervention in social and economic affairs Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic in Canada predominantly opposed the imposition of conscription during World War I?

French Canadians Signup and view all the answers

What specific age group was targeted for conscription under the Military Service Act of 1917?

Single men aged 20 to 45 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of camps were established during the war for individuals suspected of disloyalty?

Internment camps Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant impacts of the war on Canada's economy?

Shift to war production in factories Signup and view all the answers

Why did the federal government impose the Military Service Act of 1917?

To respond to high casualty rates and urgent military needs Signup and view all the answers

During World War I, which group was primarily consigned to infantry roles in the Canadian Army?

French Canadians Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor that led to the stock market crash of 1929?

Overproduction and accumulation of unsold goods Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the government's wartime policies on immigration during World War I?

Reduction in immigration levels Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of the Great Depression in the United States?

The stock market crash of 1929 Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Great Depression have on Canadian exports?

Exports dropped by 50% Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the 'return to the land' policy in Quebec?

Settlement of remote regions such as Abitibi Signup and view all the answers

What social issue arose due to the lack of government support during the Great Depression?

Increased reliance on charities and religious communities Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Roaring Twenties before the onset of the Great Depression?

Increase in consumption and entertainment Signup and view all the answers

How did the availability of credit contribute to economic issues leading up to the Great Depression?

It increased overall debt levels Signup and view all the answers

What role did speculation play in the economic climate before the Great Depression?

It led to the creation of unstable economic bubbles Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Part 1: Wilfrid Laurier

First French Canadian prime minister.

Part 5: Second Phase of Industrialization

Natural Resources

Exploitable natural resources in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia provided abundant raw materials.
Rivers in Quebec offered strong hydroelectric potential.
Copper, water, timber, silver, gold, zinc, and asbestos were important natural resources in Quebec.

Growing Sectors

Ore processing
Pulp and paper
Hydroelectricity
Electrometallurgy
Electrochemistry

Manufacturing and Domestic Production Factors

Wilfrid Laurier maintained a protectionist policy with high customs duties on imported products.
A large influx of immigrants created a large labor force and market for manufactured goods.
Wheat became a significant export from the prairies.
Increased foreign trade with the USA and UK.
First World War created a profitable wartime industry.

War Industry

Canadian industrial sector increased military equipment production.

Part 6: Urban Areas

Public Health

High child mortality rate due to overpopulated working-class neighborhoods and poor water quality (unpasteurized milk).
Water chlorination and filtration system implemented.
Clinics (milk stations) distributed quality milk and hygiene information.

Infrastructure and Services

Cities improved hygiene in working-class neighborhoods through garbage collection, sewer and aqueduct construction, and accessible green spaces.
Electricity and public transit (trams and street lighting) were introduced.

Part 7: First World War

European National Interests

European nations sought to increase power and influence at the beginning of the 20th century, leading to increased military budgets, larger armies, and an arms race.
Canada, as part of the British Empire, joined the war in 1914 after Germany declared war on Russia.

Major Alliances

Triple Entente: France, UK, and Russia
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman Empire

Beginning of 20th Century

Rising tensions and conflicts among European countries.

Start of the War

Conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, funded by Germany (Kaiser Wilhelm II), driven by Austria-Hungary's desire for more land.

Robert Borden

PM of Canada in 1911.
Almost single-handedly pushed for British recognition of Canadian political sovereignty.

Part 8: Wartime Government

Canada adopted the War Measures Act in 1914 to intervene in economic and social affairs, including censorship, price and wage control, and factory redirection to war production.
Immigration was reduced, and those from enemy countries were required to register.
Internment camps were established for suspected spies.

Factories Focused on War Production

Weapons production
Ammunition manufacturing
Food provisions
Textiles

Conscription Crisis

English Canadians supported the British Empire and wanted to fight, while French Canadians considered it an imperialist war.
The Military Service Act of 1917 imposed conscription on single men between 20-45 years of age.

Division between French and English Canadians

English Canadians strongly affiliated with the British Empire.
French Canadians largely opposed to the war.
French Canadians largely served in infantry roles which generally had poorer combat conditions.

Victory Bonds

Canada’s war effort needed funding, so Victory Bonds were sold to the public.

Part 8: War Effort and Contribution of Men and Women

Significant labor shortage in many industries due to men leaving for war.
Women increased their role and presence in the workforce due to labor demand.
Women's contributions boosted their political power and strengthened demands for greater gender equality.
Right to vote for certain women in 1917, all women in 1918.

Wartime Production

Canada mobilized all its resources to support the Triple Entente (Allied powers in WWI).
The Canadian industrial sector significantly increased its military equipment production.
Factories worked at full capacity to bolster the Canadian economy.

Part 9: Canadian Expeditionary Forces

600,000 Canadian men served in the war.
150,000 returned with injuries
60,000 died in combat.

Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment

After WWI, Canada reduced its military personnel.
Soldiers were provided with land and pensions to aid with reintegrating into civilian life.
Many demobilized soldiers returned to factory jobs which took away jobs from women.
Soldiers who were damaged during the war struggled to reintegrate and find employment.

Enemy Aliens

Imprisonment of “enemy” aliens, as justified though the War Measures Act.
Detention camps were constructed.
Identification cards necessary for certain nationalities.
Canadians of German, Austrian, Turkish decent were targeted.

League of Nations

Created following WWI as an international organization to facilitate worldwide peace.
Canada was represented at the League's creation.
Canada was recognized as a distinct entity at the League, opposed to being viewed as part of another nation.

End of the War/Treaty of Versailles

WWI concluded in November 1918.
High casualties (approximately 15 million deaths).
Canada was celebrated for its war efforts.
Soldiers' demobilization and return to society was a major goal.
Many men struggled to readjust to civilian life after being injured during the war.
Canada gained greater autonomy.

Part 10: Greater Autonomy for Canada

Due to significant wartime contributions, Canada was granted greater autonomy from the UK.
Canada participated in the Treaty of Versailles as its own nation and a country with a unique voice amongst the global community.

Part 11: The Great Depression of 1929

Post WWI prosperity, with increased consumption and entertainment.
Periods of prohibition.
Consumption of goods led to easy access to credit and significant debt.
Overproduction and surplus of goods led to decrease in market demand for consumer products.
Stock market crash of 1929 initiated a global economic downturn.

Socio-Economic Problems

Reduced exports to the United States due to the economic crisis of the US impacting the Canadian economy.
Canadian factories' imports of natural resources from US decreased.

Colonization

Quebec's "return-to-the-land" policy to address unemployment and poverty during the Great Depression.
The Quebec Government, along with the clergy and many French Canadian nationalists implemented new colonization programs.

Federal and Provincial Government Measures

Programs to assist the unemployed were largely nonexistent in 1929.
Religious communities and charities tried to support the people in need, but their efforts were insufficient to handle the situation.
Quebec's government, with the support of the clergy and French Canadians, supported a "back-to-the-land" policy.
New colonization programs were put in place to support the people.

Part 12: Capitalism

People were seeking economic prosperity after WWI.
Capitalism and laissez-faire principles were promoted.

Laissez-Faire Capitalism

Overextended credit
Easy money
Heavy debt
Ineffective financial regulations
Public panic

Keynesianism

Significant critique of prevailing capitalist economic model due to the large repercussions of the Great Depression.
Political parties that emphasized economic policy change.

Maurice Duplessis

Premier of Quebec in 1936, attempted to curb the Great Depression's economic impact.
Promoted a rural way of life for French-Canadians.
Introduced several anti-union laws, including the Padlock Act, leading to police intervention during labor disputes.

Part 13: Educational and Technical Training

School Attendance

Anglophones attended school at a higher rate than Francophones.
Mandatory school attendance was introduced but faced opposition and resistance from the church.

Improvements to Agricultural Practices

Agriculture schools were created due to the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies.

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Explore the pivotal role of Wilfrid Laurier as the first French Canadian prime minister and how his policies influenced the industrialization of Canada. This quiz covers topics such as natural resources, growing sectors, and manufacturing during the early 20th century. Test your knowledge on how war industries shaped Canada's economic landscape.