Causes of the Depression
What was happening in the stock market in 1929?
Stock prices crashed suddenly, causing investors to lose large amounts of money.
What basic need did many Canadians struggle to afford?
Food (also acceptable: housing or clothing).
What is “relief”?
Government aid given to people in need.
What does “riding the rails” mean?
Traveling illegally on trains to find work.
How did the Depression change trust in government?
Many people lost trust when support was limited or slow.
What does “overproduction” mean in the context of the Great Depression?
Producing more goods than people could afford to buy.
Why did some families lose their homes?
They couldn’t afford rent or mortgage payments due to unemployment.
What were relief camps?
Camps where unemployed men worked for low wages under difficult conditions.
What is a “Bennett Buggy”?
A car pulled by horses because people couldn’t afford gas.
Why is the Great Depression still important today?
It helps us understand economic crises and government responsibility.
Why was buying stocks on credit risky?
People borrowed money to invest and couldn’t repay it when stock prices crashed.
How did the Depression impact urban vs rural Canadians differently?
Urban workers lost jobs in factories, while farmers struggled with drought and crop failure.
Why were Canadians unhappy with government support? (think about the letters that wives wrote to Prime Minister Bennett that we read as a class)
It was limited, slow, and often not enough to meet basic needs.
Why was bartering common during the Depression?
People traded goods or services because they had little or no money.
Which group was most affected and why?
Minority communities in Canada (like Indigenous communities), who were already struggling with prejudice and assimilation on top of the Depression.
How did banks contribute to the economic collapse?
Banks gave risky loans and failed when people couldn’t repay them.
What was the On-to-Ottawa Trek?
A protest where unemployed workers traveled to Ottawa to demand better conditions and pay.
What was one goal of Bennett’s New Deal?
To provide greater government support through reforms like minimum wage or unemployment insurance.
How did family roles change during the Great Depression?
Everyone contributed to survival (gender roles become less important, some children have to drop out of school, etc.).
Why did new political ideas gain support during the Depression?
People wanted change because existing systems weren’t working.
Explain how multiple causes worked together to worsen the Depression.
Overproduction, stock market speculation, and bank failures all combined to weaken the economy and cause widespread collapse.
What happened in Regina during the on-to-Ottawa- trek?
The protest was stopped by police, leading to the Regina Riot.
What level of government often provided relief?
Local/municipal governments.
What challenges did young people face during the Great Dpression?
Limited opportunities and uncertainty.
What type of changes did the CCF support?
More government involvement and social programs.