During the 1930's the Canadian economy was dependent on the export of raw materials such
as wheat, lumber, and minerals, all of which saw foreign markets plummet after
1929. Manufacturing companies in Canada were
forced to cut back on production and lay off workers because of the dramatic
slump in demand for the goods they made.
Unemployment skyrocketed. Young,
single men, frequently in search of their first jobs after leaving school, were
particularly affected. Many of them traveled
across the country, hitching rides on railway freight cars, in what was all too
often a vain search for work.
During the Great Depression, many desperate Canadian wrote directly to
Prime Minister Bennet, Appealing to him for assistance. There were few other places they could turn
at that time, since there were few social welfare programs in place, and the
need was so great. Bennet a Millionaire,
actually did answer many of these pleas for help, often enclosing a small
amount of money in his reply.
Post a comment in the form of a letter to Prime Minister Bennett as if you were either, an unemployed Canadian
man traveling across the country in search of work, or a mother with four small
children struggling to survive. The
letter should contain details of the problems the writer is facing along with
an appeal to Bennet for help. Remember,
Bennet, his government and many wealthy Canadians thought it was unacceptable
for people to get “something for nothing”.
