How Did The Wall Street Crash Of 1929 Cause Social Change In Canada During The Great Depression

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To what extent did the short-term economic conditions created by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 cause social and political change in Canadian society between 1929-1939?

Following the crash of the Wall Street stock exchange on October 29, 1929, the international economic system that had been established during the twenties collapsed into the economic fiasco known as the ‘Great Depression’. As with many nations at the time, Canada was hit hard by this economic downturn. The nation lost 34.8% of its per capita Gross Domestic Product and inflation rocketed, causing the Canadian government to abandon the gold currency standard in 1933. The Great Depression contributed to a series of economic downfalls that would proceed to shape many aspects …show more content…

The Canadian film industry was a good example of this. By 1929, there were over 900 movie theatres in Canada. However, only 3% of films shown in these theatres were of Canadian origin, suggesting that the attitudes portrayed in foreign films would hold more power. Indeed, following the First World War, abstract and dark films such as the German Nosferatu ruled the film market, presenting Canadians a particularly grim world view. However, following the collapse of the international economy in 1929, film, and by extension Canadian culture, would increasingly resort to escapism, or an attempt to use film as a cheap distraction from the harsh reality that many faced. Grand, fantastical worlds and comedy films became extremely popular, including actors such as Charlie Chaplin. Canadian stars such as Mary Pickford would also rise to prominence. Escapism also manifested in local Canadian events. The Dionne Quintuplets, born in May of 1934, represented a new, different form of entertainment that manifested itself in Canadian culture. Revenue for the Quintuplets’ show resulted in a staggering $51 million for the Ontarian tourist economy, with a total of 3 million people walking through the gallery between 1936 and 1943. These huge numbers indicate that Canadians wished to forget their harsh circumstances, circumstances often brought on by economic problems. Therefore, the shift to cultural …show more content…

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