JMME
Window to the West
Grain Growers' Guide → The Country Guide
Political Cartoons
1914: Angel of Death abroad in Europe
With the assassination of Austria-Hungary’s Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 the complex system of alliances within Europe were one-by-one pulled into what would inevitably become a world war. When Britain came to France’s aid against Germany, Canada as one of her Commonwealth nations was compelled to enter the fray. While national reports noted unprecedented displays of patriotism in the form of parades, this political cartoon makes it clear that the nation was all too aware that it was sending its sons to face death on such a grand scale that it was as if they were marching off to meet the very “Angel of Death”.
1926: Let's Hope the Storm will be Brief
Soldiers returning from WWI expected to find employment, security, and a better quality of life as payment for their sacrifices. What they encountered was no pensions, no special medical services; and few jobs. Many workers found themselves facing compulsory wage reductions, while the cost of goods soared, leaving ends not being met. Tensions in this environment ultimately bubbled over resulting in a strike atmosphere across Canada, and Western Europe. Britain’s heavy war debt resulted in the U.S. moving into the position of Canada’s main trading partner, thus furthering the gap between the Commonwealth of Canada and the old Empire. This cartoon refers to the “King-Byng” storm of 1926, in which the opposition called for a motion to censure Prime Minister King. King, head of a minority government, called for an election, which Britain’s appointed Governor General Byng refused. King challenged Byng’s move as unconstitutional. Fallout from this led to the Imperial Conference, and ultimately the Balfour Declaration, which formally recognized the autonomy of the commonwealth countries (including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa) separate from the Empire.
1935: The Happy Family at Ottawa
By the mid-1930s it was clear that Prime Minister Bennett’s Conservatives were losing ground amid the emergence of the Social Credit movement and calls for the creation of a social safety network to stave off the sting of the Depression. In a last ditch effort, he began a series of live radio speeches, fashioned after American President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. This cartoon lampoons the political players ‘in bed’ with Bennett over issues such as a maximum work week, a minimum wage, a progressive tax system, working conditions, unemployment and old age security, and agricultural supports. The reforms did not take effect in time for the October, 1935 election, resulting in Bennett’s loss to King’s Liberals.
1935: Two views of Price Spreads legislation
The mail-order catalogue brought a modern selection of goods to Canadian consumers and were of great value to rural areas, and remote mining and logging camps. However, this new medium threatened small-town merchants. In 1934 tensions between retailers and large department stores (who sold the catalogues), championed by then Minister of Trade and Commerce Harry Stevens. This resulted in a Parliamentary inquiry. At The Royal Commission on Price Spreads in July, Stevens alluded to sweat-shop practices in the textile industry, the mass purchasing of department and other chain stores, and a vast gulf between the cost of production and high prices that were set by big business. (In 1929, T. Eaton Co., Robert Simpson Company, and Hudson's Bay Company owned 80% of all department stores.) This ultimately resulted in legislation against these practises when the Liberals under King were returned to power in late 1935. This cartoon shows Mackenzie King and Minister Stevens commenting on the disparity between small business and big business.