Great Depression & World War ||

Here I’ve posted some important primary sources from the Great Depression and World War ||. I’ve explained what the source is, how it’s credible and how it tells us about the changing lives of Canadian people. Feel free to enjoy the GIFs I’ve added and read away! - Yasmin  

The Dust Bowl, aka the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies during the 1930s. It was a social and economic shock that left millions of Canadians unemployed, hungry and often homeless. The Dust Bowl was a combination of severe water shortage and harsh farming. The lack of rain killed the crops that kept the soil in place. When winds blew, they raised enormous clouds and dust that resulted in horror and distress for Canadians. The credibility of the Dust Bowl is very high as there were many events that happened after it occurred. For example, farmers going out of business. After the storm had taken place, it left farmers hopeless and homeless as they lost their livelihoods. The total assistance was estimated at $1 billion and the report found that losses in the Dust Bowl affected the entire national economy. Studies show that the Dust Bowl greatly worsened the effects of the Great Depression. But, that’s not the only thing. The Dust Bowl also tells us about the changing lives of Canadian people. But how? Farmers going out of business wasn’t the only thing that changed the lives of Canadians. Another thing that the Dust Bowl did that changed lives was that it caused many diseases. The sad thing that occurred was that children would get a type of pneumonia called dust pneumonia. This results when the lungs are filled with dust, inflaming the alveoli. It was awful. After the Dust Bowl, the Canadian farmer’s lives were changed dramatically as they had to find new homes and jobs as it completely destroyed everything. From their lives to their crops, it was all gone.  

In the year 1935, single men from the Unemployment Relief Camps in British Columbia went on strike and travelled all through Canada from Vancouver, Regina and Ottawa in trains and trucks. They protested their poor conditions in the Depressions camps and demanded improved conditions and benefits. On June 3rd, more than 1,000 strikers began the “On the Ottawa Trek”. They were determined to inform the nation of their cause. Eventually, the strike leaders were arrested, resulting in the violent Regina Riot. This primary source is credible for many reasons. Firstly, this protest affected many Canadians who were fighting for their rights. There is lots of evidence that shows and proves that the labour was unfair for them. The Unemployment Relief Camps made the single men do physically-demanding labour which resulted in a riot. Another reason this primary evidence is credible is that the government was involved. The protesters demanded the Parliament to be involved and fix this issue. But, they failed to convince prime minister R.B Bennett’s government to change the camp's policy. They eventually retreated to Regina on July 1st, where the protest ended in violence. At the time of 1935, many Canadian lives have been changing. This source tells us a lot about the changing lives of Canadian people. Firstly, it shows that the camps really made an impact on the men’s lives as it led them to protest across Canada. The Great Depression led single Canadian men to be jobless and were sent to these camps that made them do physical labour. But, they were provided with shelters and got paid wages. These camps had changed their lives completely along with the Great Depression since it left them unemployed. Protesting shows that they’re dedicated and demanding for better conditions as well as it proves that the camps changed their lives. Overall, the protest did work as the camps closed in June 1936.

October 29, 1929, aka the Black Tuesday, was a day to remember for the economy as it was the day small investors dump their stocks, rushing to sell before they lost everything. I personally think that it was the worst decline in U.S history. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 25% and lost $30 billion in market value. That’s the equivalent of $396 billion today! It destroyed confidence in Wall Street markets and led to the Great Depression. But, historians suggest a couple things that might have caused it. For example, wheat prices. The prices of wheat had dramatically fellas in 1929 the price was $1.60 but in 1932, it dropped to $0.38. This led to farmers losing money and no machinery. Since this was such an important event, it was very credible as the crash wiped people out. They were forced to sell businesses and cash in their life savings. It was believable because it affected so many people and the businesses that they had. This newspaper article had been blowing up when the news got out to the public as the rich found out that their stocks would be worthless. Many people lost millions of dollars because of the stock market crash, and that’s why it was so credible. But what about Canadians? What about the stock market crash changed the lives of Canadians? Well, Canadians basically had to experience the same thing as everyone in the U.S did. The dread extended to the Toronto markets and practically every stock finished the day down. There were a whopping 400,000 people who were unemployed and many Canadians who had jobs were earning less than normal pay. On the morning of the 29th, people who were rich in terms of stocks and businesses, suddenly found out they were broke and worthless. The economic conditions didn’t really improve until World War two in 1939 as factories were in full production, providing employment at better wages.

The soup kitchens started as soon as the Great Depression hit in early 1929. They were introduced because of the effects of the Great Depression. Families were struggling as they were homeless and out of work. Soup kitchens were most popular in the United States but appeared in some areas in Canada. Like this one (shown as the primary evidence) in Montreal in 1931. Soup kitchens were mostly operated by voluntary and church organizations and served mostly bread and soup. The soup was economical because water could be added to serve more people. There are many reasons why this source is very credible. The first reason is that it shows how families were struggling and needed food. There are many people who are sat at what looks like a church, eating food. The second reason is that it looks like it is from the era of the Great Depression. Why it looks like it is from the era is because of the clothes they are wearing and the people who are eating look like they are feeling the struggle of being “poor”. During the Great Depression, many Canadian lives have been changing. This primary source tells us that the lives of the Canadians are changing because instead of having a normal life of sitting in their own homes and eating, they are striving and eating in “soup kitchens” provided by church organizations. Another reason how their lives are changing is that because of the Great Depression, they are homeless and jobless. They can’t provide for themselves anymore so they end up going to the “soup kitchens” for food. Overall, soup kitchens provided food for those in need during the horrific Great Depression that ruined the lives of most people.

At the peak of the Great Depression, the federal government had decided to have relief camps for the unemployed, single men who were seeking for jobs (meaning payment) and a place to relax and sleep for nights. These single men would be then forced to do physically-demanding labor work. In October 1932, at the end of the third year of the Great Depression, Prime Minister R.B. Bennett made these camps to house and provide jobs for homeless, single men. Men would voluntarily go to these camps as well. But these camps were controversial, especially to the public. Critics attacked the federal government for choosing to establish caps instead of creating a program. This primary source is pretty credible for some reasons. The first reason is that as I mentioned before, the public eye attacked the federal government for choosing to create camps. The men then realized the truth. The conditions of these camps were terrible that they even went on strike! Another reason why this source is credible is that these camps clearly showed that the conditions were vile and the labor they did was hard working. These relief camps show and tell us about the changing lives of Canadian people. One reason is that during the Great Depression, we see that these men became homeless and jobless. This primary evidence shows what happened to those men and how their lives have changed when they had to go to these relief camps, run by the federal government. Overall, these unemployment relief camps came into good use for those men in need of help, since they were homeless and jobless. But, the conditions stayed bad.

The Smoot-Hawley Act was the Tariff Act of 1930. The act increased 900 import tariffs to protect American businesses and farmers. The act takes its name from its chief sponsors-Willis Hawley, a representative of Oregon and Reed Smoot, a senator from Utah. Rather than the act helping, it raised the food prices for Americans who were already suffering from the Depression. Tariffs forced import prices up 45% and millions of Americans had just lost everything in the stock market crash. This source is very credible for many reasons. The first reason is that tariffs being increased had affected people globally. It was said that global trade plummeted (dropped/fell) 65%! It made it really difficult for the American manufacturers to stay in business. It was also said that “Canada, Europe, and other nations swiftly retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S. exports” (The Balance, 2018). Another reason why this source is credible is that this type of act has been done before. In 1922, there was the Fordney-McCumber Tariff that also raised tariff. But at that time, it actually worked. This primary source tells us about the changing lives of Canadian people. One reason is that some economists thought that the Smoot-Hawley act was one of the principal causes of the Great Depression. This tells us about the changing lives because the act potentially caused millions of people around Canada and other nations to be jobless and/or homeless. One piece of evidence that it might have caused or lead to the Great Depression is that on the same day that Senate adds tariffs to non-farm imports (October 21), it was the Black Thursday stock market crash. Overall, the Smoot-Hawley might have actually been the fact that it caused/led to the Great Depression. It was also a rough time of year for the tariffs and stocks.

Wheat prices were one the causes of the Great Depression as it had an impact on the economy and jobs such as farmers. What happened was that the prices fell drastically. Farmers lost money, there was no machinery and lifestyles decline. An example of the wheat prices dropping was in Saskatchewan. In 1928, the average Saskatchewan farmer had an annual net cash income of $1,614 000. Saskatchewan had the greatest agricultural areas in the world. But, the Great Depression didn’t make that happen. This primary evidence is credible because it affected many farmers and their jobs that they had. An example that I mentioned was the incidence of Saskatchewan. In 1928, Saskatchewan had been the fourth wealthiest province until in 1933 when it became the poorest. Another thing is that the wheat prices tell us about the changing lives of Canadian people. While the wheat prices were dropping, Canadian farmers knew that their lifestyles would be declining because they wouldn’t have enough money anymore. Overall, the wheat prices took an uprise for the Great Depression. People were running out of money and losing their jobs.

One of the causes of the Great Depression is overproduction. By the 1920s, the factories and farms were producing more goods than anyone could afford. As a result, the prices fell, factories closed and all the workers were laid off. As the sales fell, it led to unemployment all across the country. Many farmers also lost their farms due to foreclosure. This source is credible for many reasons. The first reason is that there is lots of evidence that the mass/overproduction of products led to sales to eventually dropping. As well as the evidence shows that the agricultural system began to fall in the 1920s. Leaving large selections of the population with little money and no work. The overproduction also tells about the changing lives of Canadian people. Canadian farmer’s lives were changed because of them losing their jobs and putting them in debt. During the Great Depression, some of the farmers who were men probably ended up going to the relief camps. Overall, overproduction was partially one of the causes of the Great Depression.

August 6th, 1945, during World War ||, was an awful time for the Japanese city of Hiroshima as it was bombed by an American bomber. It was the world’s first deployed atomic bomb. The situation was terrible as the explosion killed and wiped out 90% of the city. 80,000 people were killed and later on tens of thousands more would join as the radiation exposure spread. This primary source shows the aftermath of the bomb in Hiroshima. The atomic bomb is credible as it affected many people around Japan. The bombing situation was all over the news (newspaper, radio etc.) and it’s been history to this day. Another reason why it’s credible is that the same situation happened once again. Just three days later, a second bomb hit the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing around 40,000 people. You’re probably thinking, how are Canadian lives changing by this event? Well, Canadian facilities in Montreal actually made the uranium for the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many Canadians actually had jobs and were working as scientists to complete this project that they were working on. Canada was part of the Manhattan Project. Overall, the bomb was awful to the people of Japan but we now know that Canada was apart of it along with America and the United Kingdom.

The battle of Dunkirk took place in Dunkirk, France and was fought between the Allies and Nazi Germany. A thing to remember was that there was a new strategy that was introduced called, “Blitzkrieg”. It started on May 26, 1940, and ended on June 4, 1940. The main aspect and significance of the battle was the evacuation. The allied troops were trapped by advancing the Germans. As a result, they had to evacuate and launch a massive rescue. Over 900 ships mobilized to help and there were also small fishing ships that came. They mostly came from Britain and France to help the soldiers. There were just under 340,000 men pulled out of Dunkirk (200,000 British and 140,000 French). What sucks was that they lost all their equipment like tanks, artillery, and trucks. The event that happened in Dunkirk is credible for many reasons. One reason is that without many troops surrendering, Hitler wouldn’t have celebrated his victory. Another reason is that the battle of Britain wouldn’t have happened and made history. Without the battle of Dunkirk happening, we wouldn’t be talking about it today. It’s very believable as there was even a movie that was released and dedicated just to the event. The movie highlights the important events that occurred such as evacuation and it showed how Blitzkrieg was used. The battle of Dunkirk tells about the changing lives of some Canadian people. In the battle, there were some Canadians troops that participated. This shows and tells us what was going on and how they were feeling when they had to evacuate. Their lives were changed when they had that scarce feeling of anxiousness as they were probably scared when they had to evacuate. The whole backstory of the event puts us in their shoes and perspective to see what they were thinking when all of this was going on. Overall, the battle of Dunkirk was an emergency evacuation that took place in France where thousands were saved but thousands lost their lives.

The Holocaust, in WW2, was a tragedy for the Jews. In the 1940s, the Nazi Germans mass murdered over 6 million European Jews. Basically the leader of the Nazi party, Adolf Hitler didn’t like Jews. One reason is that when his mom died of cancer, he blamed the Jew doctor for it. Not only were the Jews the prime target for the Nazis but they also targeted victims of Roma, over 200,000 specifically. The Holocaust that took place by the Nazi Germans is credible for many standing reasons. One reason is that it was Hitler’s main priority. This proves that it was believable and actually happened. Ever since Hitler came in power during WW2, he has despised the Jews with all his heart. Hitler along with the Nazis considered them subhuman. In 1918, he even blamed the Jews for the country’s defeat. This shows that even before the Holocaust he hated the Jews and always wanted them to not exist. But how did the event of the Holocaust change the lives of Canadian people? The Holocaust didn’t affect all the Canadians, but it did affect the Jewish Canadians. Although they didn’t experience the Holocaust directly, the majority experienced anti-Semitism in Canada. This changed their lives as it made it very hard for them. They were also involved in postwar relief efforts for displaced persons and Holocaust survivors in Europe. The Holocaust also changed their lives because of the discrimination they were getting. They had restrictions on participation in various institutions such as law and medicine. Signs were also posted that promoted discrimination toward the Jews. For example, one read, “No Jews or Dogs Allowed”. The Holocaust really showed how their lives were changed. Overall, the Holocaust was a tragic time for the Jews as they got treated very differently from everyone else.

The Manhattan Project was key during World War 2 for many reasons. The project was American-led in an effort for the creation of nuclear weapons during WW2. The United Kingdom and Canada were in support of the project as they helped with it by providing employees to work in facilities to complete the creation of the nuclear weapons. It was first formed in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He first set up a team of scientists who specialize in knowing about uranium then began his process of building deadly nuclear weapons, in preparation for war. The Manhattan Project is credible for many great reasons. The first reason is that the Manhattan Project caused the atomic bombs in Japan. They were responsible for the many people of Japan getting killed and basically ruining the whole city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was all over the news and everyone knew about it. The minister wasn’t even surprised because he knew that he was responsible for it.  It became believable to the public eye as well. As we know, Canada was involved with the Manhattan Project. This was how Canadian’s lives were changed. Canada had a uranium industry that was driven by the military’s interest in development and production of nuclear weapons. They supplied uranium to the U.S for the production of weapons, such as bombs. All the employees and scientist’s lives were changed then on. Once the U.S was in need of uranium, it gave the Canadians a chance to have jobs and work opportunities. This project gave factory employees and miners a chance to shine and do what they’re best at doing. Overall, the Manhattan Project provided jobs for many people but also caused great destruction to the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

“Blitzkrieg” was a new strategy that was used during WW2. Another name for it was “Lighting Warfare” because they were quick attacks that came from above. The aim was to create panic in the civilian population, which actually worked as it was used in the battle of Dunkirk. The strategy was a combination of infantry dive bombers and aircraft. Tactics such as aircraft bombs were used and would disrupt the supply of reinforcements. This strategy was very credible for many reasons. One reason is that, as I mentioned before, it was eventually used in the battle of Dunkirk. It was successful and there are many videos of the action being uncovered. The lives of Canadians were changed and was uncovered during the battle of Dunkirk when it was used. One reason is that the lives of Canadians would use this strategy and soon their lives would either stay the same, but be in shock or it would be taken away because the plan has failed for them when using the strategy. Overall, Blitzkrieg was pretty straightforward and was used very well during WW2.

Juno Beach was one of the five beaches of the allied-invasion of the Normandy invasion of  World War ||. It was assaulted on June 6, 1944 (D-Day of the invasion) and was a very successful operation for the Canadians. The event of Juno beach is credible for many reasons. One reason is that the country of Canada was praised for it and we’re still known for it to this day as well as it marked the day WW2 ended. Canadians proved that they can die to fight for democracy and freedom. They had a strong military and helped to defeat the Nazis. They also proved that they didn’t need to be with Britain anymore. This event of Juno Beach also shows and tells how Canadians lives were changed. One reason that I briefly explained is how Canadians were praised by the successful invasion. This shows that they now have a different perspective before they started. They are now known for being strong and powerful and defeating the “enemy”. There were also 14,000 Canadian troops that stormed on Juno Beach on D-Day. Overall, Canada made history once the event was over. They showed leadership and teamwork to win the top line.

During WW2, the war effort of the Royal Canadian Air Force was affected by its management of training. There were a great numbers of Canadians who served in units of the Britain’s Royal Air Force and there was a growth of the national Canadian air organizations overseas. Many Canadians risked their lives while serving in the war and being in the air, traveling and seeking for teamwork of those around. Of course this was credible for many reasons. The first reason is that it was the heart of WW2. The Royal Canadian Air Force is still used till this day and without the planes in action during WW2, there wouldn't be any air action. From this, there were many Canadian lives that were changed as it was huge during WW2. Firstly, many Canadians had jobs. Without the training and the opportunity to be in the Royal Canadian Air Force, there wouldn’t be the experience and they wouldn’t be fighting for their lives. Their lives were changed the minute they started to serve in the war. The Canadians who served in the air force have very different perspectives from us as they actually lived the moment of flying in the air and experiencing the horror of war. Overall, the hard work and dedication that the Canadians who were in the air force did were incredible and I give props for them risking their lives.

The Munich Conference was on September 30, 1938, for and was a settlement of no more appeasement. The leaders wanted to avoid war so what happened was they wanted to discuss with Hitler about his demands. The leaders agreed to let him take the Sudetenland in return for a written promise from Hitler that he wouldn’t demand anything else. After the conference, one year later Germany invades all of Czechoslovakia. In my opinion, I knew that it wouldn’t just stop there for Hitler because we know that WW2 eventually did happen. It also doesn't surprise me that Hitler and his crew, Germany, invaded all these countries. The Munich Conference was a credible event because Hitler did sign a paper ensuring peace, which didn’t happen. As well as there were many pictures of the leaders and Hitler together discussing the actions of peace and making agreements between each other. For this event specifically, it doesn’t tell us about the changing lives of Canadian people as it didn’t really involve Canada. What it does tell is that we now know that WW2 was declared and Canada was involved and their lives were changed by experiencing the life of war and the terror that is out there. Overall, the Munich Conference didn’t really up for the leaders sake as Hitler did invade Czechoslovakia.