1919 Winnipeg General Strike

 
 
 
 
In May 1919, the Trades and Labour Council of Winnipeg called a general strike in support of the metal and building trades in that city, who were on strike over the issues of higher wages, and the right to bargan collectively (Creighton, 1970). The opposing positions on the Winnipeg General Strike were, in 1919, couched in stark black and white (perhaps blue and red provide a better analogy) rhetoric. The Winnipeg General Strike represented, for both its opponents and proponents, a clash of absolutes. The difference in the two conceptions lay in the definition of the absolutes. For the societal elite in Canada, the Winnipeg General Strike represented a clash between "anarchy and Red revolt," on the one hand, and "order and decency," on the other hand (Allen, 1961, p. 228). Opposing this view, working class Canadians, social activists, and the Methodist Church viewed the Winnipeg General Strike as a clash between "plutocratic greed and oppression," on the one hand, and "the rights of man," on the other hand (Allen, 1961, p. 228).

Over the seven decades since the Winnipeg General Strike, the absolutes of 1919 have softened, and a widespread general consensus has developed, in which it is recognized that (1) the principles for which the strike was waged were just, (2) the

1 2demands of labour were reasonable, and (3) the reactions of the politicaleconomicsocial elite to labor, its demands, and the strike were the source of most of the troubl


     
 
 
 
    

 

Related Essays

Models of Canadian Social Structure .... Creighton, 1970). The opposing posi tions on the Winnipeg General Strike were, in 1919, couched in stark black and white rhetoric. .... (1766 7 )

Applicability of Protestant Ethic to Canadian Economic Development .... Over the eight decades since the Winnipeg General Strike, the absolutes of 1919 have softened, and a widespread general consensus has developed in which it is .... (2316 9 )

Red Scares of the 1920s and 1950s .... Thus, when the Trades and Labor Council (a labor union) called a general strike in 1919 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, American opponents to any rights for .... (4873 19 )

The Red Scares of the 1920s and 1950s .... Thus, when the Trades and Labor Council (a labor union) called a general strike in 1919 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, American opponents to any rights for .... (4862 19 )

ANALYSIS ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN CANADA .... The actions of Canadian elites in dealing with the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919 almost brought about a social environment which would have validated the .... (9380 38 )



. The chruch sought to end "the lure of private gain" in Canada, and to unite labour and capital in a "call to service" (McNaught, 1976, p. 224). Within a year after the drafting of the Methodist report, Canada was swept by "a wave of strikes and labour agitation" (Mcnaught, 1976, p. 224). The stage was thus set for the Winnipeg General Strike. The Canadian nation was wracked by social unrest, and the socialeconomicgovernmental elite was determined to crush the 6unrest, as opposed to effecting any corrective actions which might dilute their power and priviledge. As an example, when a government study found that $9.48 per week was the minimum requirement to keep a female laundry worker alive in Manitoba, the Canadian Manufacturers' Association strenuosuly objected to a government proposal to establish a minimum weekly wage of $9.50 (Allen, 1961). Such was the social conscience of the Canadian social elite in 1919. THE WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE The Winnipeg General Strike began with strike actions in the building and metal trades, when employers refused to accept the right of workers to bargain collectively, or to increase wages (Mcnaught, 1976). In addition to collective bargaining, the building and metal workers

Category: Foreign - 1
 
 
 
Common Topics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click Here to Get Instant Access to over 32,000 Professionally Written Papers!!!
 
 
 
Join Now  
 
 
 
 
 
Saved Papers  
 
 
Save your essays here so you can locate them quickly!
 
 
 
Testimonials  
 
"Thank you for making such a high quality site! Your papers are the best I have seen around"
Debbie B.
 
"Your site was very helpful and gave me the details I needed in order to complete my essay!!!"
Mike F.
 
"This site is an excellent vehicle for quick referrences. Thanks a bunch!"
Carla T.
 
"Great site, I got a lot of new ideas I would have never thought of before."
Nate A.
 
"I love this site!!!"
Marie H.
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2007 - 2012 Lots of Essays. All Rights Reserved. DMCA