Cultural identity has always been a big issue with Canadians. During the 1920's however, Canada didn’t have it’s own expression. The expression of Canada was only an imitation of the United States. This can be illustrated using inventions, entertainment and Canada’s development as a nation.
America was better at making inventions in the 1920's. One of the single most influential devices, the automobile was created by American Henry Ford. Henry Ford also created the assembly line, a device that has lifted the economy greatly. However, some might say that Canada had it’s great inventors. It was Canadian Joseph Bombardier who invented the snowmobile. However, considering the climate northern Canadians have to deal with it can be safely said that the snowmobile was inevitable. Henry Ford’s inventions have changed the world, and western culture greatly, while Canada didn’t make as good an impact.
America was also better at entertaining. Despite the fact America has been able to assimilate Canadians like Mary Pickford into their entertainment industry, these individuals represent America more then Canada. Also, American history has given them their tough attitude and a lot of story ideas, while Canadian independence is mainly a series of flucks. In addition, entertainment is a business and business is something engranded in the American culture. Americans have been able to monopolize the movie-making industry in Canada because of these reasons.
The most important reason Canada didn’t have it’s own voice was because Canada didn’t exist as an independent Nation. The idea of Canada as a Nation originated during World War I, where Canadian soldiers started feeling more Canadian after successful battles. Canadians started feeling they could run things without the British. Flags where considered to give Canada a symbol to identify it with. Eventually Canada became an independent nation, but it still didn’t have a voice. So the nation turned to the nearest source of cultural output they could find, the U.S.A. Canada echoed the U.S. because it was the only thing it could do.
In conclusion, I do not believe that Canada had any important influence on the world during the 20's. Partially because Europe and America were the main focus for western civilization, but mostly because Canada had just become a nation by the end of the decade, so it didn’t have much of a chance in making a big splash on the pool of human civilization.
America was better at making inventions in the 1920's. One of the single most influential devices, the automobile was created by American Henry Ford. Henry Ford also created the assembly line, a device that has lifted the economy greatly. However, some might say that Canada had it’s great inventors. It was Canadian Joseph Bombardier who invented the snowmobile. However, considering the climate northern Canadians have to deal with it can be safely said that the snowmobile was inevitable. Henry Ford’s inventions have changed the world, and western culture greatly, while Canada didn’t make as good an impact.
America was also better at entertaining. Despite the fact America has been able to assimilate Canadians like Mary Pickford into their entertainment industry, these individuals represent America more then Canada. Also, American history has given them their tough attitude and a lot of story ideas, while Canadian independence is mainly a series of flucks. In addition, entertainment is a business and business is something engranded in the American culture. Americans have been able to monopolize the movie-making industry in Canada because of these reasons.
The most important reason Canada didn’t have it’s own voice was because Canada didn’t exist as an independent Nation. The idea of Canada as a Nation originated during World War I, where Canadian soldiers started feeling more Canadian after successful battles. Canadians started feeling they could run things without the British. Flags where considered to give Canada a symbol to identify it with. Eventually Canada became an independent nation, but it still didn’t have a voice. So the nation turned to the nearest source of cultural output they could find, the U.S.A. Canada echoed the U.S. because it was the only thing it could do.
In conclusion, I do not believe that Canada had any important influence on the world during the 20's. Partially because Europe and America were the main focus for western civilization, but mostly because Canada had just become a nation by the end of the decade, so it didn’t have much of a chance in making a big splash on the pool of human civilization.
3 comments:
BOOM SHACKA LACKA LACKA! I'ma sexy beast
America's Henry Ford may have invented the assembly line, but Canada's R.S. Mclaughlin invented the first automobile. (and snowmobiles are friggn amazing!)
Also, though america has more celebrities, I wonder why? Its population is huge compared to Canada's, and Canadian citizens spend their time on more serious matters than trying to be an airhead living in Hollywood.
Is it not common sense that if your neighbour is a power house that you would trade with them? Other than using the U.S. to boost its economy, other factors like being so close, speaking the same language and having the majority of both populations from generally the same area, MAY have had something to do with how alike Canada and America's cultures were and are.
Lastly, of course Canada would not have as much of a voice as other countries in the 1920s! Canada was so young compared to other countries, but its influence was building and it has been ever since.
Your words just moved me!!!
I've never been more amazed!!!!
I want to have your children!!!!!!!!!!
I too am a sexy beast!
Post a Comment