Answers to Friday 5: April 19th

 1.  Describe one social or political change of the 1920's.

-growing women's rights (work, vote), mass production, buying on credit, urbanization, consumerism, increased Canadian autonomy, prohibition 

2.  What was OBU?

-One Big Union - formation of several labour unions in the West, wanted to unite labour to increase their voice, if you strike we will support your strike - wanted Canada wide strike on June 1st

3.  What is meant by a "general strike"?

-when all or most of the workers walk off the job, in the form of a strike

4.  Explain why many people thought the labour movement was connected to Communism?

-some similar ideals working for better rights of the worker, fear of an uprising similar to Communist revolution in Russia in 1917 = fresh in people's minds

5.  One cause and one consequence of the Winnipeg General Strike:

Causes -  (Economic hardship) poor working conditions, poor wages, lack of jobs for soldiers returning from war (unemployment), inflation. (Labour movement gained strength) increasing numbers joining unions and demanding better collectively

Consequences:  Winnipeg ground to a halt as many walked out of their jobs, many lost their jobs, The Federal government feared the strike would spread and lead to an eventual revolution (like in Russia) they arrested several strike leaders and sent in the RNWMP who clashed with the strikers causing several injuries and 3 deaths.  Eventually workers gained things like minimum wage, better working conditions, cap on hours per day worked.  It created new political parties and very much exposed the class divide in our country at the time.