Canada's post-war economic boom brought unprecedented prosperity. Fueled by consumer demand and government policies, industries flourished, and poured in. Canadians enjoyed higher incomes, buying cars, appliances, and TVs like never before.
This economic growth reshaped the nation's landscape. The and improved transportation. Suburbs expanded rapidly, and intensified to meet growing demand for raw materials and energy.
Post-war Economic Boom
Thriving Economy and Consumer Culture
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Canada experienced a significant economic boom in the post-war period, driven by pent-up consumer demand and government policies that stimulated growth
The rise of a emerged as Canadians had more disposable income to spend on goods and services
Increased ownership of automobiles, home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines), and televisions
Growth of advertising and marketing industries fueled consumerism
expanded rapidly to meet the growing demand for consumer goods
Automotive industry flourished with the establishment of new plants (Ford, General Motors) and the production of popular models (Chevrolet Bel Air)
Other industries, such as steel, chemicals, and electronics, also experienced significant growth
Foreign investment, particularly from the United States, played a crucial role in Canada's economic development
American companies established branch plants and subsidiaries in Canada (IBM, Procter & Gamble)
Foreign capital financed the expansion of resource-based industries, such as mining and oil extraction
Key Terms
Post-war boom: The period of rapid economic growth and prosperity following World War II
Consumer society: A society characterized by the widespread acquisition and consumption of goods and services
Manufacturing sector: The part of the economy that produces finished goods from raw materials
Foreign investment: The investment of capital from one country into another, often in the form of establishing businesses or acquiring assets
Infrastructure Development
Transportation Networks
The Trans-Canada Highway, a federal-provincial project, was constructed to connect the country from coast to coast
Officially opened in 1962, stretching over 7,800 kilometers (4,860 miles)
Facilitated the movement of people and goods, promoting trade and tourism
The St. Lawrence Seaway, a joint Canadian-American project, was completed in 1959
A system of locks, canals, and channels that allows ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes
Boosted the shipping industry and opened up new markets for Canadian goods
Key Terms
Trans-Canada Highway: A transcontinental federal-provincial highway system that spans Canada from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean
St. Lawrence Seaway: A system of locks, canals, and channels that enables ships to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes
Shifting Demographics and Landscapes
Urbanization and Suburban Growth
, the growth of residential areas outside city centers, accelerated during the post-war period
Driven by factors such as affordable housing, improved transportation, and the desire for more space
Development of planned communities (Don Mills in Toronto, Levittown in the United States) that offered a mix of housing types and amenities
Expansion of infrastructure, including roads, schools, and shopping centers, to support suburban growth
Resource exploitation intensified as demand for raw materials increased
Mining industry expanded with the discovery of new mineral deposits (Kidd Creek Mine in Ontario, Leduc oil field in Alberta)
Forestry sector grew to meet the demand for lumber and paper products
Hydroelectric projects (Niagara Falls, Churchill Falls in Labrador) were developed to provide power for industrial and residential use
Key Terms
Suburbanization: The growth and development of residential areas outside the central urban areas of cities
Resource exploitation: The process of extracting and using natural resources for economic gain