Winnipeg General Strike 1919

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Questions and Answers

What event marked the climax of the Winnipeg General Strike?

The arrest of union leaders

The formation of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand

The reading of the Riot Act (correct)

The start of the strike on May 15

What was the outcome for many strikers after the Winnipeg General Strike?

They received higher wages

They lost their jobs and savings (correct)

They were imprisoned for life

They gained more union power

What was the purpose of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand?

To support the strikers

To oppose the strike (correct)

To provide aid to injured workers

To negotiate with the government

What was a long-term consequence of the Winnipeg General Strike?

The government's restriction on union activities Signup and view all the answers

Who was a labour leader who entered politics after the Winnipeg General Strike?

J.S. Woodsworth Signup and view all the answers

How long did the Winnipeg General Strike last?

37 days Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key aspects of working conditions during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Limited power for labor unions in negotiations Signup and view all the answers

How did the lack of unemployment insurance impact workers during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Workers had no financial support if they lost their jobs Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the text, what was a challenge faced by labor unions during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Limited power of unions in negotiations Signup and view all the answers

How did the absence of compensation for workplace injuries affect the workers during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Injured workers had no financial support Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, how did the lack of pensions impact the workers during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Workers had no post-retirement financial security Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of limited power for unions in negotiations during the Winnipeg General Strike?

Struggles to address workers' needs effectively Signup and view all the answers

What happened to union members who went on strike?

They could be fired Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the formation of One Big Union?

To unite skilled and unskilled workers Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main demands of the striking workers in Winnipeg?

An 8-hour work day Signup and view all the answers

How did the strike spread in Canada?

From industry to industry Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the economy after World War I?

Wages remained stagnant, while prices increased Signup and view all the answers

How did the strike eventually end?

Some workers returned to their jobs after exhausting their resources Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Winnipeg General Strike

The strike began on May 1, 1919, as the Building and Metal Trades Councils in Winnipeg demanded decent wages, an 8-hour workday, and the right to bargain for better working conditions.
The strike gained momentum as 30,000 workers from various industries, including dairies, bakeries, streetcar operators, garbage collectors, postal workers, telephone operators, and firefighters, joined the strike.

Working Conditions

No unemployment insurance or compensation for injuries or pensions existed.
Unions had limited power, and collective bargaining was restricted.
Workers who went on strike could be fired.
Soldiers returning from World War I faced few job opportunities due to the shift from wartime to peacetime production.

The Formation of One Big Union

Between 1918 and 1919, union membership across Canada increased significantly.
Workers in Calgary formed the One Big Union, uniting skilled and unskilled workers to fight for better working conditions.

The Strike Continues

The strike spread to other cities, with sympathy strikes occurring across the country.
The strike lasted for 37 days, with the government eventually intervening.

Government Response and "Bloody Saturday"

On June 21, 1919, the mayor of Winnipeg read the Riot Act, threatening imprisonment for life if the crowd did not disperse.
The Mounties charged the crowd, firing shots and injuring 30 people, killing one.
The strike ended five days later, with strikers losing savings and jobs, and increased division between employees and employers.

Aftermath of the Strike

The government restricted unions and Labour leaders entered politics to improve working conditions.
The strike made people realize the importance of workers to cities.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 with questions about the key events, actors, and outcomes of the historic labor strike in Canada.