How Did The Great Depression Affect Canada

Life in During the Great Depression

The Great depression was known as a period of economic hardship because it was one of the longest, deepest and saddest depressions in Canadian history. It was started by the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted 10 years, ending in 1939. In the course of history the word “great” has been interpreted as a considerably above the usual or normal thing. Therefore, The Great Depression would be considered a “great” tragedy, sadness, or decline in the economy because it was long and many people were involved. The Great Depression impacted many Canadians politically, socially, and economically. Politically, The Great Depression caused an uprise in fascism governments.

This was a time of sorrow and the unemployment rate was high. With many people not working meant less resource production and more homeless. First, numerous people in Canada were being laid off and others were sacrificing they land and crop to get money. “Between 1931-1941, 250 000 farmers abounded their farms in the west and joined the ranks of the unemployed in Canadian cities” (Bolotta 103-104). As the unemployment rate was getting higher not everyone was able to afford to buy things, so resource production was in less demand. Next, the Stock Market Crash in 1929 made what people said were fun and happy times to an unexpected event. When the stock market crashed lots of money where lost. People had put all their savings in the stock market hoping to make profit but it did not turn out as expected, on Black Tuesday everyone ran to the banks trying to cash out but there was no money many people lost their homes and jobs. People were carelessly putting money in stocks, others were buying on the margin and the banks could not handle all the money that was being transferred. Last, because many Canadians were unemployed and homeless they did have enough money to afford much food to eat and charities were their only hope. “Thousands of Canadians regularly lined up on the streets to receive bread and soup from churches and charities” (Bolotta 118-119). These food lines provided for some their only food and for others these forms of charity helped them stay alive. The Stock Market Crash was a spark of the Great Depression it was the main problem why people were poor and homeless. The depression really was a time of