Roaring or Whimpering?

The experiences of Canadians from the end of the Great War through the advent of the Great Depression in 1929 varied substantially. On one level, the country emerged from the war a stronger nation, with a greater industrial base and expanding cities. At the same time, class issues persisted as workers and farmers struggled to achieve rights and gain protection from workplace abuses. Many sectors of the economy flourished during the 1920s; others remained in the doldrums. The two main political parties experienced important leadership changes, while other parties formed to represent the interests of groups that had become disillusioned with the Conservatives and Liberals. The economic and social divisions between the regions appeared more sharply defined than during the war. Applying the classic characterization of roaring to describe Canada in the 1920s would be misleading. Yet much evidence suggests that the decade was a strong and progressive one for Canadian national development. Interestingly, the eras ambiguities are illustrated perfectly in the behavior of its dominant political leader: William Lyon Mackenzie King.