Canada and the world 1929-1945

The stock market crashed because of overproduction and major investors pulling out in the late 20's. Buying on credit and high tariffs was also part of it as well as Canada's dependence on primary resources and the United States of America

During this time there was also a major drought in the Canadian prairies. Worst drought in its history resulted in the prairies looking like a desert.

The beginning part of the depression the Conservatives were the majority in Canada and though they tried their solutions were not effective against the depression. They made work camps which backfired and raised taxes.

after Bennett the liberal Mackenzie King took office and his solutions of lower taxes, tariffs and increasing trade with Britain was effective and he was the prime minister of Canada as the depression faded.

Canadians especially the middle class and lower really struggled during this time. A huge part of the population lacked food, shelter and many other necessities of life.

1920, Hitler is discharged from army and joins the later to be known Nazi party of Germany. Responsible for publicly and propaganda

1921 Hitler challenges Anton Drexler the Nazi party leader and becomes the leader himself

1923 Hitler tries to overthrow the Bavarian government with other right wing members but fails and is sent to prison for 5 years but only serves 1 year because he is not seen as a threat to the public

1933 The Enabling act is passed and Hitler becomes a dictator

1939, Hitler invades Poland after securing a treaty with USSR and the Allies declare war

1945, Hitler commits suicide with his wive, fearing getting captured by the Soviets as they had captured Berlin.

Created after WW1 to help prevent future wars before they happen

At its peak in 1939 it had 63 members from all continents including Canada

Failed to stop Hitler from annexing and invading other European countries

Failed to stop Italy and Mussolini from invading Ethiopia in its hopes of recreating the Roman empire

Failed to stop the Japaneses empire from its invasion of southeast Asia and its war crimes

Overall they were a failure in its main task of preventing future wars

Canada was also present in the meeting that eventually led to creating of this organization

After the Soviet Revolution USSR was expanding rapidly

In 1929 Stalin became the leader of USSR, he led them in WW2 and is responsible for around 20 million deaths off his own people.

Other countries like Canada also had small communist parties mostly made up of workers. These workers organized unions and strikes like the Winnipeg General strike which lead to better conditions and wages for the workers ultimately.

The Canadian government was really concerned about communism's foothold in Canada and did everything in its power to remove communism from Canada

Anyone could have been sent to prison or interrogated or tortured in the hands of the law if they were linked to anything remotely related to communism

The Great Depression crashed the Canadian economy. Canadians were too much dependent on primary resources and underestimated the other competitors like European countries.

As a result of WW2 more resources were needed in Europe and because of that Canada's GNP more than doubled biggest ever increase.

Wheat from prairies, lumber from BC, Ontario and New Brunswick, and many minerals all were sent to eastern ports in Canada to produce war equipment or be sent to Europe.

This also resulted in a massive immigration from rural areas to urban because of job opportunities causing housing shortages.

During the war 116000 Canadian (30000 women workers ) workers produced 16400 which also included 450 Lancaster Bombers. They were produced in Malton Ontario by Victory Aircraft a crown corporation.

Inequality in the eyes of law and workplace against women was still very much a thing. Unfair wages, workplace discrimination, not being able to rise in workplace because of gender.

In 1937 Lea Roback organized a breakthrough union strike of over 5000 garment workers.

As a result of WW2 demand women were recruited again. First only singles then childless married women later women with children as well.

Women were also needed in the army so they were encouraged to support army services and nursing.

This raised awareness and challenged the stereotypes against women. It also made women realize that they can have a job outside their homes and not neglect their children.

In 1940 white women were aloud to vote in Quebec.

During early 1942 Canadian government detained most of Canadians of Japaneses descent in British Colombia because of the Empire of Japan's actions during WW2.

They were interned for the rest of the World War, their belongings taken and their property sold to pay for the internment camps.

They were either sent to ghost towns or to places where they had to do hard labour. Their living conditions were bad because they lacked water, electricity and many other necessities that other Canadians had.

These people faced racism across all of Canada and the majority of them were also born in Canada not Japan.

Mackenzie King offered them two choices: Go back to Japan or disperse in the rocky mountains

Around 4000 of them sailed back to a bombarded Japan

Dec 11, 1931: Statute of Westminster / Founding of Commonwealth:
-British Parliament can no longer make laws for Canada.
-Canada can modify or repeal past British made legislation
-Canada has controls it's own foreign policy.

1936: The Canadian parliament votes for the abdication of King Edward VIII

1939: Canada joins WW2 one week after the British, war time economy, mass army recruitment and more...

1945: Canada joins the UN as an independent nation and voting member

Canada was a major part of the allies in the war supplying tons of different natural resources, making vehicles, weapons, munition and other needed equipment for the soldiers.

Around 1.1 million Canadians participated in World War 2 both male and female

They fought in many major battles including D-Day, Normandy, Amiens, Dieppe and more...

The Canadian forces were strong and respected by the enemy

The Canadian navy also needed to expand in order to protect the merchant ships heading to Europe form the German U-boats that were sent by Hitler to stop the flow of resources from Canada to UK and mainland Europe

Canada ended up in the winning side of World War 2 with other Allied nations and benefited greatly from this war

The Canadian identity was more recognized around the world and Canada was being viewed more as its own country than just a British colony

Percy Williams won two gold medals in the Amsterdam Olympics. Later he came home to one of the most amazing homecomings in Vancouver's history

The Edmonton Grad won the women's international basketball title against Seattle Ferry by a difference of 59 points in two games

The Winnipeg hockey club won the Olympic gold after two scoreless extra-time rounds against the US.

The Vancouver Asahi baseball team played their last game as they were Japaneses and they were sent to the internment camps

Maurice "Rocket" Richard scored his 50th goal in his 50th game of the NHL season, a for around 40 years.