Canada and a Roaring Economy

Overview

• The Roaring Twenties saw boom times in Canada. Unemployment was low; earnings for individuals and companies were high.

• Greater disposable income meant a consumer society was being born.

• Labourers were also thrust to the forefront of social change because of terrible working conditions.

Boom in Old and New Industry• By 1923-24 the economic slump that

followed the First World War was over.

• World economies had improved and countries were buying Canadian goods.

• Demand for Canadian wheat reached record levels in the 1920s.

• Domestic and foreign industrial demand for iron ore, nickel, zinc and copper caused a mining boom.

Growth in Industry• The Canadian pulp and paper

industry expanded rapidly during the 1920s.

• Demand was huge in the American market.

• During the 1920s Canada exported more pulpwood and newsprint than the rest of the world combined.

Automobiles• Automobile production grew

from a small industry to become the fourth largest manufacturing industry in Canada.

• Production of new household products also increased.– Radios, record players as well

as other labour saving electrical appliances.

Tariffs

• Tariff: Tax on foreign goods being imported.• The federal government introduced tariffs to

protect Canada’s manufacturing and industrial base.

• Example: US made farm machinery was taxed so that it was more expensive than Canadian-made farm machinery.

• What did this do for Canadian companies?

Drastic Change• Economic prosperity and new technological

developments brought about enormous change.

• Many people moved into the cities to work in factories or in service industries like transportation, finance, public administration, and hospitality.

Changes….

• Wages were rising for many people and for the first time people could buy stuff on an installment plan.

• Beginning of a debt society.• Workers had more income, therefore more

DISPOSABLE INCOME.

Canada becomes a Consumer Society

• Along with the 1920s came with a number of consumer products that many Canadian families ‘had’ to have.

• Mass Media was introduced in the 1920s, in fact, by 1929 there were 300,000 radios in Canada, up from fewer then 10,000 radios in 1924 (beginning of boom)

• Mass media = Mass Advertising

Don’t Worry - Shop

• Mass advertising along with job security and higher incomes meant that they could spend money on things other then the basic necessities.

• There was more ‘disposable’ income.

Advertising

• Advertisers made luxury items seem like necessities to hundreds of thousands of Canadians.

• There was an astounding range of household goods made available by places like EATONS.

Advertising• EATONS catalogue was

a central feature in every Canadian household.

Miracles• Automatic washing

machines, hand operated washing machines, electric irons, electric toaster, electric stoves, vaccuum cleaners and sewing machines.

• These products gave people more free time.

Automobiles• By 1928 there were many other

automobile plants in Canada and the United States.

• Canadians could shop around, they could buy a Chevrolet or Pontiac.

• By 1929 a large percent of Canadians owned cars, in fact over 10 years it had increased 300%.

What did the automobile do for Canadians?• Before the 1920s only

the rich could travel Canada.

• After the early twenties the average Canadian could.

• Canadians went on Sunday family drives.

The Radio and the Family• Radio was a way for

families to spend time with on another.

• The entire family would huddle around a radio set and listen to their favourite weekly shows of music, comedy, soap opera, education, news and preaching.

Conclusion• The economic boom made life easier for many

Canadians and in some ways it brought families together.