1920s Test Review - History Flashcards
(45 cards)
Winnipeg General Strike
The largest strike in Canadian History
What Started The WGS
Many people were laid off from their jobs when the war ended, leading to rising unemployment. Worker unions formed to negotiate wage increases and discuss working conditions with employers, but employers refused to discuss it
What Happened During The WGS
- During the Winnipeg General Strike, all union workers and many non-union workers went on strike, and within three days, 30,000 workers were striking.
- This strike lasted six weeks until the government intervened.
- Many strikers’ enthusiasm about this strike began to dissipate, and they turned against strike leaders and returned to work.
How Did The WGS End
The Winnipeg General Strike ended on June 17, 1919, when the government intervened, causing the death of two people and leading to Union Workers calling off the strike, afraid of more violence
WGS Legacy
The Winnipeg General became known as the biggest strike in Canadian History and a turning point in Labour Relations, helping the public become more aware of worker problems and concerns.
Radio
It was invented in 1920 by XMA in Montreal to allow people faster and inexpensive news, listen to music, talkshows, music and drama [soap operas, crime stories, comedies, dramas and mysteries]
- By the end of 1922 there was broadcasting in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton
The First Radio
They would contain a small piece of quartz crystal, and people would move a thin piece of wire over the surface of the crystal to find/pick a station
AC Radio Tube
Invented by Edward S Rogers in 1925, this allowed people to plug their radios into the wall using household electricity, giving them 24/7 access to listen in
Canadian Radio Stations
By 1928, there weren’t many Canadian Radio stations being listened to, 80% were US stations which used a powerful transmitter to carry programs across the border
Sir John Aird
Chair of Royal Commission.
He was responsible for making sure that Canadian content staying on radios and that the government was involved
CRBS
Canadian Radio Broadcasting System which created coast to coast radio systems (later to be known as CBC)
Movies in the 1920s
- They began as Silent Films, which usually had accompanying musicians. They were usually slapstick comedies meaning people got hurt.
- Next were the talkies so musicians were no longer required.
- During the films there were newsreels which informed Canadians of News around the world
Canadian Actors/Actress
- Buster Keaton
- Laurel and Hardy
- Charlie Chaplain
- Mary Pickford ‘American Sweetheart’
- Walter Huston
- Marie Dressler
Warner Brothers
Jack and his three brothers began Warner Brothers Studio in 1923. They released the first ‘talkie’ with synchronized sound, The Jazz Singer
Cartoons
Mickey Mouse [Steamboat Willie] became famous during the 1920s, along with short cartoons played during newsreels
Music in the 1920s
The Jazz Age was led by Louis Armstrong [trumpet] and Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington [Piano/Composer]. As Jazz evolved, Blues and Swing would become more popular in the coming decades.
Dance in the 1920s
The Jazz Age encouraged more energetic and daring dances. Some adults thought these dances inappropriate due to their suggestive movements.
- The Charleston [Most Popular]
- The Black Bottom
- The Fox Trot
Fashion in the 1920s
The clothing was more comfortable; women’s skirts were shortened to approx. knee length. Everyone wore hats
Prohibition
The process of banning alcohol
- Canada introduced this before/during the war [1918], and it lasted until 1921
Why did Prohibition not last in Canada?
Smuggling: People would smuggle alcohol from wet countries to dry ones
Moonshine: People would drink homemade alcohol which was a health hazard
Speakeasies: People would gather in the backrooms of bars to drink
Discontent: Police officers and law enforcement officials were not in support of the ban
Economy: The government lost the revenue from taxing alcohol
Criminals: Criminals became very wealthy because everyone wanted to purchase alcohol from them
Bootlegging
the illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcohol
The US and Prohibition
Prohibition lasted in the states until 1933. Rum Runners would smuggle around 45 million litres of liquor from Canada - the US per year. This also created profit for Canada since Americans purchased alcohol from Canada
Women in Society
Before the war, women were only offered low-paying jobs with no chance of advancement. They were allowed to work during the war, but that was quickly revoked once the Soldiers came home. Now they wanted more rights and freedom, they wanted a choice
How many women had been able to become lawyers in Canada by 1919?
What year did the first female engineer graduate from U of T?
11
Elsie McGill1927