The Interwar Years: Boom & Bust · Term 2

The Persons Case & Women's Rights

The Famous Five and the 1929 ruling that women were legally 'persons' under Canadian law.

About This Topic

The Great Depression forced a radical rethinking of the role of government in Canada. This topic evaluates the responses of Prime Ministers Mackenzie King and R.B. Bennett, from King's initial 'five-cent piece' comment to Bennett's late-term 'New Deal.' Students examine why these traditional approaches often failed to solve the crisis and how this led to the rise of new political movements like the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), the Social Credit Party, and the Union Nationale.

This is a key part of the Ontario curriculum, focusing on the political shifts that laid the groundwork for the modern Canadian welfare state. Students investigate the significance of the 'On-to-Ottawa Trek' and the Regina Riot as turning points in public demand for government action. This topic benefits from mock political debates and simulations of the 1935 election. Students grasp the reasons for the rise of new parties faster through peer-led investigations into their different platforms and promises.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The 1935 Election Debate

Divide the class into groups representing the Liberals, Conservatives, CCF, and Social Credit. They must present their 'solution' to the Depression and debate which approach is best for the country's recovery.

⏱ 60 min·Whole Class

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Inquiry Circle: The On-to-Ottawa Trek

In small groups, students use a 'map and timeline' to trace the journey of the trekkers from Vancouver to Regina. They identify the key events, the government's response, and the impact of the Regina Riot on public opinion.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Bennett's New Deal

Students read a summary of R.B. Bennett's 1935 'New Deal' proposals (e.g., minimum wage, unemployment insurance). They discuss with a partner whether they think this was a genuine attempt at reform or a desperate move to win the election.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The new political parties of the 1930s were all 'communist.'

What to Teach Instead

While some were inspired by socialist ideas, parties like the CCF and Social Credit were uniquely Canadian responses to the crisis, often rooted in farmer and labor movements. Peer analysis of party platforms helps students see the diversity of political thought during the Depression.

Common Misconception

R.B. Bennett didn't care about the poor.

What to Teach Instead

While his policies were often criticized, Bennett personally answered thousands of letters from struggling Canadians and often sent them money from his own pocket. Using a 'Public vs. Private' analysis of Bennett helps students see the complexity of his leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did new political parties emerge in the 1930s?

Many Canadians felt that the traditional Liberal and Conservative parties were failing to address the crisis. New parties like the CCF (socialist), Social Credit (monetary reform), and Union Nationale (Quebec nationalism) offered radical new ideas for economic and social change.

What was R.B. Bennett's 'New Deal'?

Inspired by the US New Deal, Bennett proposed a series of reforms in 1935, including a minimum wage, unemployment insurance, and regulated working hours. However, many of these were later struck down by the courts as being outside federal jurisdiction.

What was the 'On-to-Ottawa Trek'?

It was a 1935 protest by hundreds of unemployed men from relief camps who boarded freight trains to Ottawa to demand 'work with wages.' The trek was stopped by the RCMP in Regina, leading to a violent riot that shocked the nation.

How can active learning help students understand the political responses to the Depression?

Active learning strategies, such as mock debates and investigating the On-to-Ottawa Trek, help students understand the desperation and the hope that drove political change. By engaging with the different party platforms, students move beyond seeing politics as just 'who won' to seeing it as a competition of ideas for how to build a better society. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the roots of the Canadian social safety net.

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