History Unit 2: R.B Bennet

Question 1

Who is Richard (R.B.) Bennett

Answer 1

• tough talking millionaire
• turned to for hope during the first years of the Great Depression
• became the focus of the nations anger as hard times intensified
• also sometimes gave money to families out of his own pocket

Question 2

What party was Bennett from

Answer 2

Conservative, ran against opposition liberal prime minister Mackenzie King during 1930 federal election

• promised to end unemployment
• thought laissez-faire was the best approach
• he saw traditional policies

Question 3

What are Bennett buggies

Answer 3

• cars towed by horses because there was no money for fuel
• Canadians saw the bachelor live in style at the chateau Laurier hotel and wondered how he could understand their misery
• target of many jokes

Question 4

What was Bennett radical action

Answer 4

Borrowed ideas from Franklin Roosevelt new deal and made a Canadian version

• changing from laissez faire to control and regulation
• promised more progressive taxi action, unemployment insurance, health insurance, regulation of working conditions and social reforms

Question 5

Did the plan work

Answer 5

No time had run out, and the elected opposition Mackenzie King but he still remained opposition leader till 1938