Part 2 The Roaring 1920s The Roaring 20s

Part 2: The Roaring 1920’s

The Roaring 20’s �After the misery of WW 1 was over, people tried to enjoy life to the maximum. �The economy was in an upswing, which meant Canadians could afford more luxuries and leisure time. �The decade became known as the “Roaring 20’s” �People enjoyed new forms of technology and entertainment

Bootlegging �During WW 1 alcohol was banned, which brought about prohibition. �However, the ban was a failure and Canadian Provinces ended the ban in 1921. �The United States continued prohibition until 1933. �Canadian bootleggers took advantage of this and supplied alcohol to the U. S illegally. �Many criminals profited from bootlegging, including Al Capone.

Bootlegging

Bootlegging

Increased Mobility �The automobile was beginning to change the landscape of the country. �The invention of the assembly line by Henry Ford in 1913 meant that cars could be mass produced inexpensively and quickly. �By the late 1920’s 50% of Canadian homes had an automobile. �This prompted more and better roads to be built, making travel easier for Canadians.

Increased Mobility

Increased Mobility

Increased Mobility

Arts and Leisure �Since people were enjoying their new found prosperity, they sought out new forms of entertainment. �Movies became wildly popular �Movies were silent until “talkies” were invented in 1927. �Canadian-made films couldn’t compete with movies produced in the U. S. Eventually Hollywood came to dominate the movie industry.

Arts and Leisure

Missing The Roar � Not everyone benefitted from the social and economic changes of the 1920’s. � Despite the rights won during WW 1, women still faced challenges. � The main role of women was still seen as wives and mothers. Women were expected to stay home and raise a family. � Single women had limited career opportunities. � Women usually earned much less than men for doing the same job.

Aboriginal People in the 1920’s �Despite their contribution to the war effort, aboriginal people were still not classified as “persons” under the law. �They could not vote in Provincial or Federal elections. �Aboriginal people did not win the right to vote in Provincial elections until 1949. �They were finally able to vote in Federal elections in 1960.

Aboriginal People in the 1920’s �The government continued its efforts to assimilate Aboriginal people’s into mainstream society. �They did this by placing children in residential schools and by outlawing rituals, ceremonies and traditional ways of life. �Aboriginal people’s continued their struggle against the government regarding land claims and negotiating Aboriginal land title. �Aboriginal people also fought against enfranchisement and for self-determination, a fight that still continues today.

Immigrants � After WW 1, the Canadian government put restrictions on immigration. � Preference was given to immigrants from Britain and the U. S. � Restrictions on Asian immigrants were harsh. In 1923 the government passed a law that virtually excluded Chinese immigrants to Canada until 1947. � In 1925, as the economy boomed, the government relaxed some restrictions. � Many immigrants who arrived in Canada, found that they were forced to work in terrible conditions for pitiful wages.

Immigrants