The Long 1919: Hope, Fear, and Normalcy in Canada (PDF)

#### **1918** **11 November** -- **Armistice Day** - - #### **1919** **January--July** -- **Post-War Challenges Emerge** - - - - - - - - - - - **Key Figures**: - - **16 November** -- **Mons Victory Sermon** - #### **1920** **10 July** -- **Borden'...

#### **1918** **11 November** -- **Armistice Day** - - #### **1919** **January--July** -- **Post-War Challenges Emerge** - - - - - - - - - - - **Key Figures**: - - **16 November** -- **Mons Victory Sermon** - #### **1920** **10 July** -- **Borden's Retirement** - ### **Key Themes** - - - - #### **Post-War Reconstruction and Visions (1918--1919)** - - - - - - - #### **Fears of Social Unrest and Bolshevism (1918--1919)** - - - - - #### **Returning Soldiers and Social Integration (1919)** - - - - - #### **Political and National Identity Shifts (1919)** - - - - - - - #### **Ethnic and Immigrant Policies (1919)** - - - - - - #### **Cultural and Economic Challenges (1919 and Beyond)** - - - - - **Integration and Citizenship**: Efforts were made to integrate immigrant children into Canadian society through citizenship education, moving toward a \"melting pot\" model rather than multiculturalism. Immigrant communities formed organizations to establish their identities as Canadians. **Racial and Indigenous Discrimination**: Despite contributions during the war, racialized minorities and Indigenous peoples faced continued discrimination. African, Asian, and Indigenous veterans were denied equal rights and benefits. Policies such as disenfranchisement and land seizures further marginalized these groups. **Labour Unrest**: Post-war Canada saw significant labour unrest, including the Winnipeg General Strike, where workers sought rights and better conditions. While the strike was largely peaceful, government repression led to arrests and violence, such as the tragedy of Bloody Saturday. **Government Response to Labour Issues**: The government acknowledged labour grievances by forming a royal commission that recommended progressive reforms like collective bargaining and social benefits. However, resistance from business interests and limited government action tempered these efforts. **Economic Adjustments**: While there was initial post-war economic prosperity, attempts to regulate the economy using wartime methods faced opposition. Initiatives like railway nationalization and the Canadian Wheat Board met resistance from business elites, leading to policy reversals. **Religious and Moral Disillusionment**: Churches faced a crisis of faith and relevance as the war\'s devastation led many to question traditional doctrines. The Protestant and Catholic churches struggled to balance social activism with conservative values. **Prohibition Movement**: The Social Gospel movement achieved a significant victory with the passage of Prohibition in early 1919, reflecting a broader moral reform agenda. ### **Key Points:** 1. - - - 2. - - - 3. - - - 4. - - 5. - - - ### **Key Themes:** 1. - - 2. - - 3. - - 4. - - -