The Interwar Years: Boom & Bust · Term 2

Prohibition & Social Reform

Examining the temperance movement, the era of prohibition, and its impact on Canadian society.

About This Topic

The Great Depression was a period of unprecedented economic hardship that began with the 1929 stock market crash and lasted throughout the 1930s. Canada was hit particularly hard due to its heavy reliance on exports of raw materials like wheat and lumber. This topic covers the causes of the crash, the 'Dust Bowl' that devastated the Prairie provinces, and the human cost of mass unemployment and poverty. Students examine how the Depression forced Canadians to find new ways to survive, from 'riding the rails' to relying on meager government 'relief.'

This is a central part of the Ontario curriculum, focusing on the social and economic impact of the crisis. Students investigate the experiences of different groups, including the 'single unemployed men' in relief camps and families struggling to keep their homes. This topic benefits from analyzing primary sources like letters to the Prime Minister and photos of 'Hoovervilles.' Students grasp the severity of the crisis faster through peer-led investigations into the daily lives of Canadians during the 'Dirty Thirties.'

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the social and economic arguments for and against prohibition in Canada.
• Analyze the rise of organized crime and its connection to rum-running during the prohibition era.
• Explain the role of women's temperance organizations in advocating for social reform.
• Compare the effectiveness of prohibition policies across different Canadian provinces.
• Critique the unintended consequences of prohibition on Canadian society and law enforcement.

Before You Start

Canada and World War I

Why: Understanding Canada's involvement in WWI provides context for the social and economic conditions that contributed to the rise of the temperance movement and early prohibition efforts.

Early 20th Century Social Reform Movements

Why: Familiarity with other reform movements of the era helps students understand the broader context and motivations driving the temperance crusade.

Key Vocabulary

Temperance Movement	A social reform movement advocating for the moderation or complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages, often driven by religious and moral concerns.
Prohibition	The period in Canadian history when the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were legally prohibited, primarily between 1916 and 1920 in most provinces.
Rum-running	The illegal smuggling of alcohol, often across the Canada-United States border, to circumvent prohibition laws and meet demand.
Bootlegging	The illicit production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages during prohibition.
Social Reform	Organized efforts to improve aspects of society, often addressing issues like poverty, public health, and morality, as seen with the temperance movement.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Letters to the PM

In small groups, students read real letters written by Canadians to Prime Minister R.B. Bennett during the Depression. They identify the different types of help people were asking for and the emotional toll the crisis was taking on families.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Stations Rotation: The 'Dirty Thirties'

Set up stations on the Dust Bowl, the relief camps, and the 'on-to-Ottawa' trek. At each station, students use photos and diary entries to understand the specific challenges faced by people in different parts of the country.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Causes of the Crash

Students read a simplified explanation of the causes of the 1929 crash (e.g., overproduction, buying on margin). They discuss with a partner which factor they think was the most significant and why it led to such a long-lasting depression.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Historians studying the era analyze court records from Windsor, Ontario, to understand the frequency and nature of arrests related to bootlegging and smuggling operations targeting Detroit.

Researchers examining the evolution of organized crime can trace its early development in Canada to the profits generated by illegal alcohol sales during prohibition, impacting cities like Montreal and Toronto.

Sociologists studying social movements look to the legacy of organizations like the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) to understand their influence on public policy and advocacy for social change.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The stock market crash was the only cause of the Great Depression.

What to Teach Instead

The crash was a trigger, but the underlying causes included overproduction, high tariffs, and Canada's over-reliance on a few key exports. Peer discussion about 'economic vulnerability' helps students see the deeper structural issues that made the Depression so severe.

Common Misconception

The government provided plenty of help to people in need.

What to Teach Instead

Government 'relief' was often minimal, difficult to get, and came with a social stigma. Using a 'relief application' simulation helps students understand the barriers and the loss of dignity that many people experienced when asking for help.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was prohibition a success or a failure in Canada?' Facilitate a class debate where students must use specific evidence from the period, such as statistics on crime rates or changes in alcohol consumption, to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short primary source excerpt, such as a newspaper article from the 1920s discussing rum-running. Ask students to identify the author's perspective on prohibition and list two specific pieces of evidence they used to form that perspective.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write one sentence explaining a motivation behind the temperance movement and one sentence describing a negative consequence of prohibition in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Great Depression in Canada?

While the 1929 stock market crash was the immediate trigger, Canada's economy was already vulnerable due to overproduction in factories and farms, high international tariffs, and a heavy reliance on exporting raw materials to the US and Britain.

What was the 'Dust Bowl'?

The 'Dust Bowl' was a series of severe droughts and dust storms that hit the Prairie provinces in the 1930s. Combined with a collapse in wheat prices, it led to widespread farm failures and forced many families to abandon their land.

What were relief camps?

Relief camps were government-run work camps for single, unemployed men during the Depression. The men were paid a pittance (20 cents a day) for hard labor in remote areas, which led to widespread frustration and the 'On-to-Ottawa Trek' protest.

How can active learning help students understand the Great Depression?

Active learning strategies, such as analyzing personal letters and simulating the relief process, help students connect with the human side of economic history. By investigating the specific challenges faced by different groups, students develop a deeper understanding of the scale of the crisis and the resilience of Canadians. This hands-on approach makes the 'Dirty Thirties' more than just a list of economic statistics, but a study of human endurance and social change.