the winnipeg general strike Flashcards
during ww1, what was a constant problem that led to a rise in workers rights?
labour shortages
at the end of the war, 500 000 soldiers returned home, looking for work, causing ______________
worker’s rights to decline
what did many industrialists and politicians fear would sweep through Canada?
communism
what did communism cause in 1917?
the Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin
what did communism spread the idea of?
workers’ paradise where private ownership would be prohibited
what had reached an all time high with striking and collective bargaining rising
unions memberships
what were the two ideologies returning soldiers had and what was the mutual belief?
pro-reform and pro-union
anti-reform and anti-union / both wanted something good to come of war
what was the pro-reform and pro-union ideology?
change the social structure that led to war (business and politicians)
what was the anti-reform and anti-union ideology?
never change the structure again and go on with life as it is
what were some stresses workers had to deal with?
- high cost of living in relation to wages
- desired shorter hours
- denial of a union
- denial in collective bargaining
- insufficient/poor housing
- restrictions on freedom of speech
- extremely wealthy minority
- lack of equal education
who called for a city wide general strike to show soldier solidarity?
Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council
what were the main reasons of the strike?
for the right to have collective bargaining and for the recognition of unions
how did the government and the business community view the strike?
a communist revolt led by shady European immigrants
when did the strike begin?
May 15, 1919
how many workers walked off the job?
30 000
__ of the 96 unions participated in the strike
94
how did the rest of Canada react to the Winnipeg strike?
sympathy strikes occurred around the country
a Citizens Committee of ______________________, planned their response
1000 manufacturers, politicians, and bankers
what was the response of the Citizens Committee?
police officers, the army, and even a tank came into the city
what did the Citizens Committee call for, but was illegal?
the arrest of people who organized the strike
Canada’s Immigration Act and the Criminal Code were revised to allow the government to ___________________
arrest, detain, and deport naturalized citizens on suspicion of causing a revolution
who was Arthur Meighen and what did he order?
Minister of Justice / ordered arrests
what was June 21, 1919, also known as?
Black Saturday
Black Saturday- _________and __________ took to Winnipeg’s main street to protest
armed strikers / angry veterans
Black Saturday-
a riot soon ensued with a ____ and _______ destroyed
tram / windows
Black Saturday-
Mounties arrived on ________ and ___________
horseback / swinging clubs
Black Saturday-
the police fired into the crowd, killing __ and injuring __
2 / 20
Black Saturday-
__ protestors were arrested and by ____ the strike was over
80 / dusk
Black Saturday-
the General Strike was over and by ___________, people were back to work
June 25, 1919
