Canada in the Post-War World: 1950s Flashcards
Baby boom
the increase in the birth rate that occurred after the second world war
Suburbs
outlying areas of cities, land was less expensive
Women in the fifties
Suburban life was centered on traditional middle class family, stay at home mother and father who worked. Women’s magazines supported this.
Fashions
long, full skirts, narrow waists, and high heels.
Attacks on rock’n’roll
strong rhythms and rebellious lyrics shocked older generations. Banned in many places. Elvis Presley’s hip swiveling was called obscene. TV producers banned camera shots below his waist.
Massey Commission
a body set up by federal government to study the state Canadian culture
What did the Massey Commission find?
Suggested that Canadian culture needed to be protected from U.S influences.
- Canadian television would be used to promote national communication and for cultural education
- National Film Board would be strengthened
- Government would become involved in funding universities and the arts. Canada Council for the Arts was created, awarded grants.
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
would regulate the amount of foreign material broadcast over the airwaves and impose rules requiring Canadian content
displaced persons
those who are forced to leave their native home because of war or for political reasons
Why did the Immigration rate increase?
War brides, displaced persons, immigrants were attracted by new possibilities in Canada
Were all soliders given the same benefits?
No aboriginals weren’t
What was the purpose of residential schools?
Isolated from their home communities and families and forced to abandon their culture and language. Purpose was the assimilation of Aboriginal children into mainstream canadian culture
Changes to the Indian Act
Women gained the right to vote in band elections, and potlaces and wearing traditional regalia were no longer illegal.
Louis St. Laurent
Kings successor. First person to use the media to gain support, form then on media has played an influential part. Brought in hospital insurance.
What did Louis St. Laurent do to increase Canadian autonomy?
- appointed the first Canadian born Governor General, Vincent Massey
- Made the Supreme Court of Canada the highest court of appeal for Canadian cases
- negotiating with Britain to give the Canadian Parliament the power to amend portions of its own constitution
populist
someone who appeals to the concerns of ordinary citizens
Referendum
the process of referring a political question to the people for a direct vote
John Diefenbaker
Canadians loved him. Next prime minister after Laurent.
Newfoundland joining Canada
King had set in motion that Canada expand, St. Laurent was part of the negotiations that resulted in Newfouldland joining Canada. Newfoundland was given a referendum with 3 options:
1. Continue be governed by special commission
2. self-governing dominion within the British Empire
3. Join Canada
No clear majority won. Another vote without the option of commission.
Maurice Duplessis
Quebec Premier, party Union Nationale. Strong Quebec nationalist.
Quebec education
Schools and universities focused on traditional subjects such as languages and philosophy. Quebec produced many priests, lawyers, and politicians.
Duplessis era=
the Great Darkness for many Quebecois
Veterans and jobs
New lawas ensured that they got their old jobs back if they wanted them and that the years they had been at war were counted as years of service on the job. Government policy encouraged women to leave factories to make room for men. Veterans who wished to attend university or trade school received free tuition and living allowances.
C.D. Howe
Two decades as a Cabinet minister, was responsible for railways, canals, airlines, munitions, war supplies, transition to peacetime, pipelines, trade, and commerce.
