The Great Depression in Canada: Key Historical Debates

When preparing a paper 3, it is always best to reference historical perspectives to earn the highest marks possible.  Consider historians like John Boyko on Bennett's conversion to New Deal policies.  How about Findlay's perspective on Canada and Keynsian economics?  How do historians such as Bumstead, Finkel, Conrad, and Strong-Boag address how the Depression led to the growth of a strong federal government in Canada?

The Impact of the War on Canada

Like the United States, Canada emerged from World War II with strong rates of production, low unemployment, including increased employment opportunities for women.  Compared to the United States, how much did the influence of Canada's federal government increase over the course of the Great Depression and the second World War?

The Impact of the Second World War on the USA

We have been talking about Canada for a while, but definitely always with a comparison to the USA in mind.  Consider how the war affected the unemployment rate, the GNP, and the gap between the rich and the poor.  What is the significance of the Smith Act and the fact that FDR was elected for four consecutive terms--how strong was the federal government going into World War II?

Return to MacKenzie King

Does the fact that Canada returned to its former Prime Minister MacKenzie King in 1935 show that it is completely different from the United States in terms of coping with the Depression?  While FDR did face some criticism the US kept him in office for four consecutive terms.  Is Canada much more precarious politically?  How effective, in your opinion, was King as Prime Minister the second time around?

Alternative Responses to the Depression

Consider how FDR was criticized from both the right and the left when he instituted his New Deal policies in the United States.  How did Canadians respond to their government's dealings with the economy?  How did this vary by region or by social class?

Bennett's New Deal

Evaluate the effectiveness of Bennett's proposed New Deal programs in Canada.  Was it possible for Bennett to remain a conservative and propose similar programs to FDR?  How were his programs received by his constituents and how did they effect the election of 1935?

Bennett vs. King

As King loses the 1930 election and Canada moves into a conservative administration under RB Bennett, we see a key transition in policy towards coping with the depression.  How might this change compare to the one the United States experienced in 1932 when they replaced Hoover with FDR?  How did Bennett's policies differ from King's?  How effective were his early measures?