Politics of the 20’s and 30’s Flashcards
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)
> A socialist partythat started in Western Canada, lead by J.S. Woodsworth
Made up ofmembers ofsocialist farm and labour groups (teachers, preachers)
that were severely hit by the Depression
Produced a document called ‘The Regina Manifesto’ which were the aims ofthe
CCF - wanted to replace Canada’s free enterprise with new social order
1. Government ownership ofbanks, transportation and other large enterprises
2. Wanted financial help for farmers from the government
3. Wanted publicly organized health care services
4. Wanted a system ofunemployment insurance and old age pensions
5. Wanted the income ofthe wealthy and profits ofbusinesses to be taxed
heavily so that everyone could have social benefits
6. Wanted to implement foreign policy to promote international peace and co-op
Bn 1961, this party changed its name to the New Democratic Party (NDP)
Social Credit Party
> Started in Alberta and led by William Aberhart
Aberhart’s aim was to spread ideas about religion and politics and he was
concerned about poverty
He felt that even though there were enough goods for everyone, not everyone
could afford to buy them
Aberhart wanted to provide social credits of$25/month to everyone so they’ could
afford the goods that they needed
The credit would not be money, it would be a coupon/voucher
They remained in power in Alberta from 1935-1971
Union Nationale
> This party was founded in Quebec and organised to protest against high
unemployment and severe economic hardship during the depression
They became the governing party in Quebec, led by Maurice Duplessis and was
seen as the party ofFrench Canadians
The party believed that the Depression symbolized the gap between poor French
farmers/workers and rich English businessmen
Duplessis appealed to French Canadians by saying that they English had exploited
them
The Union Nationale told French Canadians that they would protect them from
. the English, the federal government and Communism
The party’ defended French language, culture and religion
Communist Party of Canada (CPC)
> Led by Tim Buck, who organised workers and the unemployed
He wanted to start a revolution that would completely change Canada’s economic
system, like implementing Communism
The Canadian government was afraid ofthe ‘red menace’ appearing in Canada
and prevented this party from succeeding
The CPC was outlawed and their leader was put in jaii from 1932-1934
Conservative Party of Canada
> Led by R.B. Bennett
Created the ReliefCamps for unemployed, single men
Gave food/shelter/clothing vouchers to unemployed, married men
Was basically blamed for the Depression
Created the “New Deal” in 1934 to try to solve the problems ofthe Depression
Was defeated by Mackenzie King’s Liberal party in 1935 who ran under the
slogan of “King or Chaos”
Bennett became so disillusioned with Canada and Canadians because oftheir
feelings towards him and his party that he left Canada for good and later died in
England.
He is the only Prime Minister in Canadian history to NOT be buried in Canada
Liberal Party
> Led by William Lyon Mackenzie King
Came to power in 1935
Lowered tariffs
Made a new trade agreement with the United States
Wanted to slash government spending and balance the federal budget
Closed down relief camps
Created federal unemployment insurance
Stopped giving federal aid to the provinces
New economic idea to change the stalled economy - spend more money
They waited out the Depression> Led by William Lyon Mackenzie King
Came to power in 1935
Lowered tariffs
Made a new trade agreement with the United States
Wanted to slash government spending and balance the federal budget
Closed down relief camps
Created federal unemployment insurance
Stopped giving federal aid to the provinces
New economic idea to change the stalled economy - spend more money
They waited out the Depression
