After the War

Government: Changing Visions and Expectations

Question of the Day

If you were sick and unable to work, should the government give you help? If so, what should they be responsible for?

Effects of the War at Home

• When the war ended the economy took a downturn

• Economists were optimistic that this was simply a fluctuation in the market an would right itself with time

• The economists were right• Canadians increasingly looked to the United

States to establish political and economic links.

Canadian Domestic Concerns

• A debate was occurring in Canada• The debate focused on such questions as:

– Is government or the marketplace the "best" instrument to secure the economic well-being of the Canadian people?

– To what degree is society responsible for securing the well-being of the individual?

– Should the government ensure that all Canadians have an acceptable standard of living?

Paradigm One “Capitalism”

• The marketplace can best secure the goods and services that society needs and wants.

• The size and role of government should be greatly reduced.

• market to determine production, allocation and distribution of goods, services and wealth.

Paradigm Two “Communism”

• An opposing paradigm argued that government has to intervene in the workings of the marketplace because the latter does not always distribute products, services and wealth, in an equitable manner.

Classical Liberalism: Laissez Faire Government

Classical Liberalism: Laissez-faire Economy

• After the War, the government became less involved in the economy and allowed business to flourish

• By practicing Laissez-faire economics the business interest of the Canadian east grew

• The market was left relatively unregulated.

Classical Liberalism

• Social issues such as poverty and unemployment were deemed to be the concerns of private charities and churches, not government

Every Man For Themselves

Discontent on the Prairies

• This led to some unrest among prairie framers• High tariffs that protected the eastern

industrialists served to limit markets for Canadian grain and increase the cost of machinery

• These policies led to United Farmer Parties becoming popular throughout the country

Discontent on the Prairies

• Many in the West felt that they were victims of an unholy alliance of national governments reflecting the interests of Central Canada, the C.P.R. and the grain trading companies.

The Commies are coming

• Labour movements also gained support

• Because of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia many people distrusted the labour movement in Canada

• This was known as a “Red Scare”

Question of the Day

How many of you work? What benefits do you have at your work place?

The Winnipeg General Strike

• In fact the OBU (One Big Union) did follow a Marxist doctrine and promised a revolution in Canada

• The OBU called for General Strikes across Canada

• On May 15, 1919 the first and only General Strike took began in Winnipeg

• Metal workers demanded better pay and a shorter work week

The Winnipeg General Strike

• To support the metal workers 30 000 other men left their jobs

• Only the railway workers remained on the job

• The leaders of the strike were R.B. Russell, Ernest Robinson, and William Ivens

• They became known as the “Winnipeg Soviet”

The Winnipeg General Strike

• The strike included hydro workers, firemen, and milk men

• Some essential public service workers did return to their jobs eventually

•

Strike Breakers

Aftermath of the Strike

• The Strike was motivated by high prices and low wages after the war

• The Soviet Revolution was still a recent event and no one realized the difficulties involved with it

• The Strike was the start of a shift in political and social thinking

Discussion

• What are some strikes that you have heard of?

• What was the cause of these strikes?

• What was the outcome of these strikes?

Debate Activity

• I want you to get into partners• Then find another group and get into groups of

four • One group will represent the Workers and the

other group will represent the Employers• Viewpoint A will argue:

• Workers should have the right to higher pay and safer working conditions, things need to change

• Viewpoint B will argue: • The workers do not have rights and to keep the economy

booming things must stay the same

Class Discussion

• To what extent should employers be concerned with the well being of their employees?

• Should the government play a part in controlling the economy?

• What effects does this have on our Canadian Identity?

Journal Entry

What are the lasting effects of the Winnipeg general strike to our Canadian identity?

Be sure to elaborate on your answer