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The Komagata Maru Incident (Political)
Rank: -2
The SS Komagata Maru was a chartered ship that was carrying 376 passengers from Punjab, British India. 24 passengers were admitted while the other 352 were nor allowed to leave the ship. This incident happened in the spring and summer of 1914. -
Start of World War One (Political)
Rank: -1
World war one lasted for four years (1914-1918). It officially began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918. World war one is often known as “The Great War”. This war had a lot of negative effects on Canada. -
Debt caused by war (Economic)
Rank: -1
The expenses of the war caused the country to go into a $1.2 billion debt which caused the government to start putting taxes on many basic items. This led to the loss of money for many families and had negative effects on Canadian citizens. -
Conscription (Political)
Rank: -2
In May 1917 Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden decided that compulsory service was necessary. The Military Service Act became law on August 29, 1917. This required all male citizens aged 20-45 to enlist in the war. Some were excused from mandatory military service due to reasons such as certain occupations or people who suffer from mental or physical illness or disability. -
White women get the right to vote (Social)
Rank: +2
In March 1918, Prime Minister Borden extended the vote to all women who were 21 and older. The vote was not extended to women of colour including Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous, Indian, and Black Canadian women. -
Enemy Aliens (Political)
Rank: -2
Many Canadians that were born in "enemy countries" such as Ukrainians, Germans, Austrians, Hungarians and Croatians were treated very poorly by the government. They were often called “enemy aliens”. They were seen as enemies even after the war ended. Some people suggested that they get deported. -
Advancement of Modern Technology (Economic)
Rank: +2
The 1920’s came with the introduction of many advanced technologies. Items such as the radio, electric sewing machines, automobiles, and electric ice boxes were introduced to everyone. These appliances made everyday life easier and tasks were done faster. -
Residential Schools (Political)
Rank: -2
In 1920 under the Indian Act, it became mandatory for all Indian children to attend a residential school. The Indian Act took away many rights of the First Nations. The First Nations children were put through so much pain, both mentally and physically, in the residential schools. -
Chinese Immigration Act (Political)
Rank: -2
The Chinese Exclusion act was also passed by the government to ban most of the Chinese immigration to Canada. The limited number of immigrants that were allowed to enter were forced to pay head tax. -
Women are officially considered "persons" (Social)
Rank: +2
In 1929 women were legally included in the definition of “persons.” This gave women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada.
