Riding the Rods
Describe what this way of transportation may have looked like…
Over 100 men on top of trains
Why did men choose this often dangerous lifestyle?
Better to “move along” than to sit and starve somewhere
Describe the conditions of the temporary “jungles” transient men set up.
Tarpaper shacks that were unhygienic
How did one man rationalize “riding the rods” as an art form?
You had to get good at timing jumping on and off the fast moving train
How did many citizens view these homeless transients? Is this any different than how we judge or view the homeless today? Explain.
Filthy and dangerous.
Depends on each students’ point of view about poverty in Canada and how people end up in desperate situations (own fault/gov’t fault/family fault/society fault). This will determine how they judge and treat homeless and disadvantage people.
Government Camps
Who was eligible for entrance into these camps?
Single, homeless men
Notice the men are referred to as “inmates” in L. Richter’s quote. Describe how this reflects the attitude people had toward homeless, unemployed men
A prison term. This shows that perhaps gov’t and society saw these men as having done something wrong, rationalizing the poor treatment they would receive in the camps.
Compare “A Winnipeg Man Complains to his MP” with “Prime Minister Bennett Defends the Camps”. Which one do you think more accurately portrays the conditions of these camps? Why is it important to read both sources?
Winnipeg Man – probably primary source of someone who lived in the camps. Bennett wasn’t likely to visit the camps. Important to read both so you can evaluate both sides and compare to the history you have already learned.
The On-To-Ottawa Trek
What was the purpose of this demonstration?
Relief camp workers wanted to convince gov’t to make work and living conditions in the camps better.
Why do they change venues for the protest from Vancouver to Ottawa?
They felt they would have more influence in the nation’s capital
Read the 6 demands of the Ottawa Trekkers. Take the position of gov’t and state a brief argument against 3 of the demands.
Could include that the Depression didn’t allow for any more funds than already possible. Only people earning a “true living” should be able to vote. Other demanded supplies are out of the budget range
Who Caused the Regina Riot?
Read the excerpt at the top of the right page from The Canadian Press, 1933. Is this a reliable source for the riot? Why or why not?
Yes, it seems quite objective, not stating fault or blame, just giving statistics and accurate details.
How to Survive?
Describe the typical meals a transient could get at a soup kitchen.
White beans, boiled in water. 2 slices of dry bread. A mug of tea or coffee. A bowl of porridge. Thin soup.
How did some children manage to cheat their way into more streetcar rides?
Scraped the token into halves and pray that when they dropped into the box, they landed right side up!
What possible reason was given as to why soup kitchen meals were so awful?
It would encourage the transients to leave!
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