-
Period: to
Women In The Workforce (+1)
During the years of WW1, some women were allowed to replace men in the workforce as many were away fighting at war. The unemployed found work, the employed switched for a better paying job. For the first time, many women gained a bit of financial independence. Although, most women were overworked and not paid equally to men. The option of taking on the traditional men's jobs did not apply to women of colour either. -
Period: to
War Debt (-1)
During WW1, Canada had to meet the high demand for war supplies. Not long after, all the production, material and labour costs added up quickly and the country was dangerously in debt. Forcing the government to take measures. Everyday items were taxed, incomes of businesses were taxed (Business Profits War act in 1916), there was income tax for most Canadians (Income War Tax act 1917). Canada was desperate for money. -
Period: to
"Enemy Aliens" (-1.5)
In the years of WW1, Canadians from enemy countries such as Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Croatia were labelled as "enemy aliens". Things got worse for these people when the War Measures Act was placed. It allowed police to arrest and imprison people without charging them. The so-called "Enemy Aliens" could be deported easily without trial. Soon many were imprisoned in camps forced to live and work in extreme conditions barely making money. Some camps lasted until 1920. -
Period: to
The Conscription Crisis (-1)
Following the battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, Prime Minister Borden proposed to the public the "Military Service Act" (also known as conscription), which would have made military service of men 18-45 years mandatory. This caused an uproar between French-Canadians and English Canadians and had divided the country greatly. -
Technological Advancements (+1)
Nearing the end of the war, Canada improved their game in the final months with the power of flight. They developed a great reputation as an airforce and eventually pilots improved their tactics and planes became more advanced. They carried weapons on their missions, mounted machine guns on to them and bomb dropping. However, this also made the war much deadlier, and piloting was a dangerous job. -
The Right To Vote (+1)
Most females were given the right to vote in federal elections, Asian women and men, as well as Indigenous women and men, continued to be excluded. Earlier in 1917, for the purpose of an upcoming election, Prime Minister Borden had given the right for some females to vote in 1917, but it was limited to relatives of soldiers and nurses serving overseas the right. -
Period: to
New Entertainment (+2)
After a rough start of the 1920s, the decade started looking up with new forms of entertainment. The radio was soon invented, broadcasting the newly popularized jazz music. There were many cinemas, and the film industry was growing. Canadian painters and native authors/other literature started to gain worldwide recognition. -
Chinese Immigrant Act (-1)
When the head tax proved ineffective as Chinese immigrants were still entering the country, the "Chinese Immigrant Act" was placed. This act heavily restricted acceptable qualities in the immigration process and made it nearly impossible for the Chinese to be allowed into Canada during the years this act was active. -
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Increase In Exports/Trading (+1)
With an increased demand for new products in the mid-twenties, Canada began supplying raw materials to other countries. Soon Canada was the world's biggest trader in wood products like pulp and paper, wheat and nickel. -
"Black Tuesday" Occurs (-2)
The climax of the stock market crash. Panic struck the citizens as they started selling everything they could. Losses were huge and severely damaged Canada's economy. Earlier on October 24, "Black Thursday" stock values had already dropped significantly. This event was one of the main contributors to the Great Depression.
