Causes
What year was the “On to Ottawa” trek?
1935
Depression
A period of extreme economic and social hardship, massive unemployment and terrible suffering.
Why were work camps implemented and what was their purpose?
The federal government decided to create work camps for unemployed, single men. These men would work in camps usually located deep in the woods, where they were completely isolated, and work on projects such as building roads and digging drains. The living conditions in these camps was horrible.
After MacKenzie King was not reelected in the 1930 election, who took over as prime minister in his place?
R. B. Bennett.
What year did the drought on the prairies start and how long did the drought last?
1928, lasted 8 years
Stocks
Units of ownership within a company
What was the purpose of the “On to Ottawa” trek? How was it received by the Prime Minister?
Men left the work camps and decided to make a trip to Ottawa to complain about the terrible conditions in the camps. The men had great hopes of being heard, but the Prime Minister attacked the men as “radicals and trouble-makers.” They were hustled out of the Prime Minister’s office at once.
What are tariffs and why were they implemented?
Tariffs are taxes and duties placed on imported goods. They were implemented because many countries were desperate for money as the world economy slowed down.
On what day did the New York Stock Market collapse?
October 20, 1920
Riding the Rods
A method that many young, homeless Canadian men used to travel across the country; they would ride on the roof of the train or cling to the rods underneath.
Why was MacKenzie King not reelected in the 1930 election?
He gave a speech about how social welfare was the responsibility of the provinces and that he would not “give a five-cent piece” to any province that did not have a Liberal government. This attitude convinced people that King did not care about their suffering, and he was not reelected.
Why was the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Act unsuccessful?
By the time the act was passed, the drought and poverty had already caused many farmers to move elsewhere.
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Act
helped farmers build irrigation systems and reservoirs
How did tariffs cause the Canadian economy to slow down even more?
Tariffs made Canadian products more expensive and harder to sell in other countries.
Why were tariffs imposed on imported goods? Were they successful? Why or why not?
The prime minister believed that the high tariffs on imported goods would convince more people to buy cheaper Canadian products, thus “blasting” Canada out of the depression. However, this plan was unsuccessful because other countries retaliated with high tariffs of their own, and the Canadian economy continued to suffer.