1920’s & 1930’s Homework Assignments
Assignment #1 Read pp. 160 – 161
How did Canadians respond to the Economic Boom of the 1920’s?
Immediately following the war, the Canadian economy faced a significant let down as factory production
slowed and unemployment rose with the return of a large number of veterans.
Canada’s Growing Economy

By 1924 the Canadian economy began to grow stronger – list the factors which contributed to
this fact.

How did the development of the Assembly line impact business?

Specifically identify (from the brief description provided) how each of the following sectors
experienced growth and added to the economic boom of the 1920’s.
a)
c)

Auto industry
Resource Industry
b) Hydro-electricity
d) Wheat Industry
Which region of Canada failed to grow or gain economically in the 1920’s? Why? How did the
Canadian government try to help and did it succeed?
Foreign Investment & Ownership

Identify Canada’s two biggest trading partners and explain how that relationship changed
between 1920 and 1925.

Explain what the trade relationship between Canada and the United States was based on – who
traded what with who?

Explain the issue surrounding the creation of the Progressive Party. In which region were they
based? Assess their political success.

Define the term branch plant. Which industries expanded into Canada and what benefits did
they receive?

List and explain both the positive and negative results of branch plant expansion in Canada.
Assignment #2 Read pp. 162 – 163
Changing Lifestyles
The economic “boom” of the 1920’s greatly benefited the people of Canada during that period and
many believed the economy would only continue to grow as a result:

How did the way Canadians live change dramatically as a result of the improved economy?

Specifically address the way in which the following began to appear in Canadian society as a
result of the Boom:
a) Urbanization

b) Consumerism
c) the Radio
Explain what “buying on credit” meant. How did the demand for consumer products lead to the
expansion of credit buying? What problems do you see this leading to in the future?
Assignment #3 Read pp. 206 – 209
Canadian Innovations
Technological Innovations
As a result of the mass production during WWI, manufacturers were able to make incredible
advancements in both science and technology in the years which followed:

Explain how each of the following areas change dramatically as a result on those sorts of
advancements:
a) Air Transportation
c) Winter travel
b) Roads
d) Communication
Health & Medical Innovations

Explain how each of the following areas change dramatically as a result on those sorts of
advancements:
a) Diabetes
b) Infant Nutrition
b) Preventing Tuberculosis
*As always – be sure to include key dates + personalities + specific results of each and for each question
Assignment #4 Read pp. 190 – 192 & p. 171
Canadian Culture
During the 1920’s and 30’s Canadian culture underwent a dramatic transformation which involved the
development of new approaches to a number of areas.

Explain the specific ways each of the following grew and developed during that period:
a) Radio
c) Movies
e) Visual Arts
b) Magazines
d) Literature
*As always – be sure to include key dates + personalities + specific results of each

Explain the concerns the growth of the Arts and Media caused among Canadian politicians in the
1930’s?

What steps did the government take to ensure the “health” of Canadian culture as far as radio
programs, films and magazines were concerned?
Assignment #5 Read pp. 164 – 167
How did Canadians Respond to the Great Depression?
Canada & the Great Depression

Identify and explain how each of the following were specifically impacted by the Depression:
a) Manufacturers

b) Farmers & Companies
b) Young people
Explain how the Stock Market “crashed” and what was the result?
October 29, 1929 = ___________________________________? Explain.
Regional Hardships & the Depression

Define what is meant by the term Regional disparities.

Explain, in the brief description that is offered, how the resource industries of both the
Maritimes and British Columbia were hit by the Depression.

How were the Prairies affected? (p. 166). Explain how relying on wheat as a major crop led to
the economic difficulties the Prairie provinces over the two decades. Include a comparison of
specific numbers and years in your answer.

Identify the other “natural” factors which also contributed to the harsh times the Prairie region
felt during the Depression. (p. 167)
Assignment #6 Read pp. 168 – 170
Government Response to the Depression

What was the result of the 1930 Election? Who won and what role did the Depression play in
that victory? Why?

Identify and explain the specific programs and policies did the Conservative government of R.B.
Bennett use in an attempt to help Canadians and businesses during the Depression? What were
the results?
The People React – Depression Era Protest

Identify and state the historical significance of:
a) Relief Camps
b) On-To-Ottawa Trek c) Regina Riot
*As always – be sure to include key dates + personalities + specific results of each
Alternative Political Parties
During the Depression as the number of desperate Canadians looking for relief from the poor economies
effects began to grow and so too did their desire for political alternatives to the traditional two political
parties.
As a result new political parties began to emerge:
For each of the following political parties:



The Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation
The Social Credit Party
The Union Nationale
Identify:



their leader & the date they were established
their “platform” or core beliefs
their political impact/success – at the time and in the future
How did the Communist Party view the Depression? Why didn’t they find much support among the
Canadian people?