Roaring Twenties In Canada

The 1920s was a decade known as the roaring twenties. This is due to the fact that the economy and social life was booming. However, the roaring twenties was additionally encountered with several challenges in the themes social/cultural, political and economic. As a result of the rise of these challenges Canada was encountered with several advancements. It will be discussed what these challenges and advancements ere as well as their significance.

The economy was dramatically booming during the 1920s which was a time of prosperity. The demand for new production was growing and as a result corporations, larger companies which could produce larger and quicker than factories, formed. These large companies exploited assembly lines which lead to

mass production. A challenge experienced by Canadians was consumerism. Canadians were always eager to own the latest merchandise. Therefore, they spent a lot of money on goods and services. Some families started to purchase larger products on credit, meaning they would pay off the debt over a period of time. This was an issue because as the decade was approaching the end, families were unable to pay the money due. In addition to credit buying, Canadians began to invest in the stock market. Although the market carried risks, individuals decided to ignore the risks and look at it as a way to get rick quickly. Therefore, buying on the margin became popular. so, the buyer would borrow money from the bank to pay for stocks. However, by the end of the decade stock prices started to decrease. On October 29, 1929 the stock market completely collapsed and millions and millions of dollars were lost. After the stock market crash families began to go into depression because they experienced low income.
The 1920s was a time of social and cultural change.

It was characterized by technological advancements, prohibition as well as flappers. A popular product during the 1920s was alcohol. Alcohol consumption was part of the 1920s culture. However, the prohibition act made it difficult to drink. As a result speakeasies, a place where alcohol was sold illegally, were evident. Subsequently, Prohibition was a leading cause of crimes and therefore was repealed. The flapper was another significant social issue. Flappers were young women who challenged the norm. They were characterized with a knee-high dress, stockings, and boots/shoes. They often cut their hair short and would smoke, drink dance. For that reason, they were faced by the challenge of being characterized to do masculine like acts. However, that changed the convention of women forever. Nonetheless, the 1920s was faced with some advancements, for example, technological advancements which allowed for more leisure time during the roaring twenties. The radio and movies were relatively new. They provided cheap entertainment for millions of individuals. In addition, the radio show “hockey Night in Canada” became very popular. As a result, hockey emerged as a national Canadian spot during the 20s. By the end of the decade, the standards of women was changed, new technological advancements were discovered, and the crime rate decreased from the repealing of

prohibition.
The 1920s was an age of political change.

Following World War 1, Canada became bitterly divided due to the political change moves. For one of the first times, women started to stand in equality. Towards the end of the decade, the “Person’s Case” was established, which is case stating that women are eligible to partake in the Canadian Senate. Before this case women were not considered “person’s” in the eyes of the law, and according to the BNA act only “persons” were aloud to join the Canadian Senate. However, the famous five, Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby changed that case as well as the world for women. Soon, women were having the same rights as men. Another challenge faced, was the Winnipeg general strike which occurred in 1919. Winnipeg’s building trades workers walked off their jobs demanding for higher wages and less working hours. Soon, everyone started to leave their jobs. This caused problems because families were unsuccessful in obtaining the resources they needed. To stop this maddened the government started to arrest individuals. The General Strike left a legacy of bitterness and controversy among labour groups across Canada. It was a failure. The “Persons’s Case” and Winnipeg general strike have come to symbolize the politics of the

decade.
The roaring twenties were the beginning of a new modern lifestyle and a new standard of living. New technology was developed, women standards were changing, fashion evolved, the economy boomed, etc. This resulted in new ideologies for Canada. This decade gave a glimpse into what was soon to become modern Canada.