The Roaring Twenties (?)

The Roaring Twenties-the 1920s are generally considered a decade of prosperity, fun and wild living

-There is some truth to this: end of the war relief, youth energy, “Jazz Age”- bold new music, shocking fashions (for the time), and “fads”

-See the following quote- it gives a false picture of what it was like for women, but it does help us understand the optimism of the time for certain groups in the country:

Canadian Homes and Gardens, May 1927

“There is a certain magic to housekeeping these days...the magic of electricity...over which I confess I never cease to marvel. Your modern housewife leaves the dishes within a machine, pops the dinner into an oven, laundry into a washer, and jumps into a roadster (car) with never a thought except for...the round of golf which she is away to enjoy for an afternoon. She returns to find the washing done, her china and crystal sparkle, a six course dinner is ready for serving.”

Booze and Fast Cars-Life did improve in many respects but it was certainly an illusion to suggest that the whole decade for all people occurred

-Increased American investment in Canada- branch plants- CARS- we had raw materials, Britain was in debt….bring on Americans

-By the 1910’s Provinces quickly adopted prohibition laws against alcohol- Women’s Temperance Movement (consider the context)

-Alcohol was still available to those with money (bootlegging)

In what ways would these young women have outraged the older generation?

Can we make a statement regarding the change in the 1920’s between young and old?

Forces Affecting Canadian IdentityBefore the war perspective- why does Government exist?

Compare with this perspective:

“I submit that the government exists to provide for the needs of the people, and when it comes to choice between profits and property rights on the one hand and human welfare on the other, there should be no hesitation whatsoever in saying that we are going to place human welfare consideration first and let financial interest and property rights fare as best they may”

J.s. Woodsworth, 1922

Forces Affecting Canadian IdentitySocialism- Old Age Pension Act 1927, new Child Labour laws 1929- very little in terms of government support of people

Economics- Resource industries, factories (using electricity)- this impacted the maritimes where most coal mines were located- manufacturing jobs moved to the bigger cities

Credit and consumerism- demand for consumer goods prompted banks to lend money for commercial goods (before credit was usually reserved for food or fuel- low cost), and for playing the stock market….uhoh

Forces Affecting Canadian IdentityIdentity through art and literature- Group of 7, Anne of Green Gables

Canadian Independence/autonomy*

Historical Evidence AssessmentTo What Extent were the 1920’s ‘Roaring”?

General Context- ppt and Introduction (22-23b)

Prohibition (Perspective concept)

Women’s Political Rights (Cause and Consequence)

“Roaring” experiences (Significance)

Canadian Innovations (Continuity and Change)

To What Extent did the 1920’s “Roar”?

Conclusion:

Evidence that supports Evidence that opposes