Chapter 6 History - Part I Flashcards
1
Q
The Baby Boom
A
- Those who postponed marriage from war started families larger than today (3-4 children), 6.7 million born in Canada between 1946 and 1961 making up almost ⅓ of pop.
- Increase in birth rate in Canada, Australia and US known as baby boom, Canada’s highest in industrial world for a time, peaking in 1959.
- Baby boom among First Nations peaked in late 1950’s. Post-war immigration brought thousands of new Canadians into country eager to prosper post-war.
1
Q
Immigration Policy in Canada
A
- From 1905, when Clifford Sifton’s “open-door policy” ended, up until 1960’s Canada preferred European (particularly northern) immigrants, believing they’d adapt to Canadian way of life.
- Govt limited other immigrants. Nearly 1M veterans returned to Canada after WW2, many Canadian bachelors overseas married there.
- War brides, concentration camp survivors and others from war created wave of immigration. Canada accepted 165,000 displaced persons, settling them across country.
1
Q
Immigrant Conditions in Canada
A
- Immigrants attracted to Canada from war-torn Europe and new possibilities in Canada, but couldn’t hold former jobs.
- Refugee children absorbed English quickly, and parents found that any job opened opportunities.
- +2M immigrants between 1945-1960. Post-WW2 immigrants settled in cities of Central Canada, cultures and hard work enriching Canada.
1
Q
New Immigrants to Canada
A
- Older areas of larger cities held new communities as veterans and families moved to suburbs.
- 1956 - violent revolution broke in Hungary, leading country and provinces to relax entry requirements to allow Hungarians escaping from communism to immigrate to Canada.
- +37,000 Hungarians came, many Czechs and Slovaks coming from Czechoslovakia in 1968-1969 under similar conditions.
1
Q
Suburb Development in Canada
A
- Developers built thousands of homes for Canada’s growing pop. after war, many in outlying areas of cities (suburbs) where land less expensive.
- Cheap land encouraged low-density building, like big houses on large lots with lawns, patios and even swimming pools.
- Suburban subdivisions became “bedroom communities” with own schools, parks and churches.
- Commuters travelled to work in cities and returned home to suburbs.
1
Q
Women in Suburban Life
A
- Suburban life held family w/mother at heart, father’s role as breadwinner. Women’s magazines denounced working mothers as cause of delinquent children.
- Fashions emphasized femininity w/ long, full skirts, narrow waists and high heels. New gadgets (ex: electric floor polishers, pop-up toasters, electric food mixers) made housework less tedious.
- Women felt isolated and trapped in role not allowing them to develop potential, many women looking different way by mid-1960’s.
2
Q
Automobiles in Canada
A
- In 1950’s Canadians brought 3.5M cars, being great convenience and forming automobile culture, changing Canada’s neighbourhoods.
- Though suburban housing was plain, cars grew fancy with chrome, fins and fancy tail lights.
- Automobiles symbolized fascination w/ technology, progress and personal freedom.
- Enormous V9 engines needed lots of fuel, increasing society’s dependence on oil. Atmospheric pollution became problem.
3
Q
Growth in Canada
A
- Increased development supported suburbs, both businesses and manufacturing booming.
- Less than 6% of Canadians unemployed throughout 1950’s, also time of tremendous technological innovation.
4
Q
Effect of Baby Boom
A
- Boomer generation largest age group in Canada, influencing Canadian culture and economy for decades.
- Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, youth organizations, minor sports flourished.
- Govts built thousands of schools, arenas and playgrounds to accommodate needs of boomers, manufacturers developing products for baby-boomer market.
5
Q
Television in Canada
A
- Early 1950’s: Television set cost 20% of annual income, neighbours gathering to watch w/ those who owned set, but grew as necessity for families w/ children.
- Shows in black and white, colour TV not coming to Canada until 1966. American programs like Howdy Doody, Roy Rogers, Lassie and Mickey Mouse Club popular.
- Families watched game shows, comedies, Westerns and variety shows like Ed Sulliban Show, Sunday night institution featuring, comedy, classical music, circus acts and teen stars.
6
Q
Teenage Culture in Canada
A
- Pre-WW2, average Canadian received 8 years of education, only 1/10 finishing HS.
- Boomers didn’t face wars or economic hardships, resulting in invention of “teenager”.
- Rock ‘n’ roll, musical style in mid-1950’s, became favorite, roots in African-American music - gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues.
- B.B. King, Bo Diddly and Chuck Berry (organizer of rock) musical influences on Elvis and countless others.
7
Q
Folk Music in canada
A
- Paul Anka of Ottawa, ON created hits including first “Diana” and “Lonely Boy”, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, more pop than rock but records selling millions of copies.
- Folk music gained popularity from American folk stars Pete Seeger and Woodie Guthrie.
- Travellers folk group forming in summer of 1953, signing record deal w/ Columbia Records of Canada.
- Folk music important part of 60’s protest movements.
8
Q
Advertising and Consumption
A
- TV encouraged consumption in youngsters for cereals, Barbie dolls and Davy Crockett hats, advertising one of biggest areas of economic growth at decade.
- Companies doubled spending to $11.9B by 1960 in US.
9
Q
American Culture in Canada
A
- Canadians saw world events through newscasts from US. Children of 1950’s identified w/ American culture more than generations before.
- In 1949, Liberal govt of Louis St. Laurent established Massey Commission to investigate state of Canadian culture.
- Report in 1951 suggested culture needed to be protected from US influences.
10
Q
Protection of Canadian Culture
A
- Canadian television promoted national communication and cultural education in drama and music.
- CBC in charge of development of television, opening first two stations in TO and MO by 1952, 4 more cities added two years later.
- 90% of Canadian homes had television and access to CBC by 1960. NFB strengthened as well.
11
Q
Aboriginal Issues in Canada
A
- Aboriginals served in military (3,000 Indians and thousands of non-status Aboriginals and Métis out of 166,000).
- They still faced institutionalized racism when returning home, aboriginal soldiers denied same benefits as others.
- Aboriginal children forced to leave home to attend residential schools for decades to assimilate Aboriginal children into mainstream Canadian society.
- Compulsory attendance ended in 1948, many operated during 40’s to 50’s, 50’s being peak with 76 schools in operation.
12
Q
Funding for Canadian Culture
A
- Govt involved in funding university and arts, creating Canada Council for the Arts which awarded grants to writers, artists and theatres.
- Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission created in 1969, regulating amount of foreign material over airwaves and imposed rules for Canadian content.
- Profound consequences for Canadian identity post-war years.
13
Q
Education for Aboriginal Children
A
- Last residential school didn’t close until 1996. Residential schools underfunded, relying on forced labor of students, many facilities receiving poor education.
- Federal govt funded off-reserve education from demands of Aboriginals.
- Thousands of Aboriginal youth attended provincial schools by 1960, but teachers not trained to meet needs of Aboriginal students.
- Students also commuted long distances by bus or board far from home, barrier to academic achievement.
14
Q
Political Government in Canada
A
- King retired in 1948 at age 73, in power longer than any PM before, succeeded by successor Louis St. Laurent who pursued similar policy.
- Progressive Conservatives formed minority govt by John Diefenbaker in 1957, calling snap election in 1958 and won largest majority in Canadian history.
15
Q
Television in Politics
A
- King governed before “TV culture”, Laurent entering politics late in life, Liberals trying to sell shy, elderly man in 1949 election.
- During campaign stop at railway, reporter noticed St. Laurent (father of five and grandfather of 12) with children.
- Newspapers then referred to Laurent as “Uncle Louis”, creating image of St. Laurent as friendly, liberals ensuring nickname stuck.
16
Q
Changes to the Indian Act
A
- 1951 - changes made to Indian Act governing First Nations. Women gained right to vote in band elections, and potlatches/traditional regalia no longer illegal.
- Indian Act maintained federal govt’s power to define Indian status and band membership, controlling political and economic lives of Aboriginals.
17
Q
Life of St. Laurent
A
- St. Laurent born in Compton, Quebec to English-speaking mother and French-speaking father.
- He neared retirement after successful law career when approached by Mackenzie King to Minister of Justice in govt.
- Laurent elected to Commons in 1942 and provided key support to King during conscription crisis of WW2, seeming right man to become PM.
18
Q
Actions of St. Laurent Across History
A
- Expanded old-age pensions and family allowances, brought in hospital insurance and protected Canadian culture
- Appointed first Canadian-born Governor General Vincent Massey, made SC of Canada highest court for Canadian cases (not Judicial Committee of Privy Council)
- Negotiating w/ Britain to give Parliament power to amend portions of own constitution w/out appealing to British Parliament, resulting in the British North America Act (1949).
19
Q
John Diefenbaker’s Victory in 1957
A
- St. Laurent fought and won election in 1949 and 1953. 75-year old seemed tired/depressed in 1957.
- PC leader John Diefenbaker seemed energetic as former defence attorney in Saskatchewan.
- “Dief” great campaigner, television carrying image across nation, leading party to narrow victory.
20
Diefenbaker's Legacy
- Diefenbaker first Westerner to become PM, St Laurent resigning and Lester “Mike” Pearson as new leader.
- Diefenbaker from Germany, first PM whose father wasn’t either English or French, seeing self as Prairie populist.
- Colleague in 1958 campaign: “I saw people kneel and kiss his coat. Not one, but many. People were in tears. People were delirious”.
