sean :
Bennet's New Deal was rejected in 1935 not only because of his own political mistakes, but because Canadians had already lost confidence in his leadership after years of economic hardship, social discomfort and the government not backing up his decisions. By the mid-1930s, unemployment remained high, and relief payments were not enough so many families struggled to survive which created a widespread resentment towards Bennett's government(Source no.2). The frustration was expressed through everyday actions like the “Bennett buggy” a horse drawn car used because people could no longer afford gas, this showed how deeply Canadians associated Bennett with economic failure and the declining living standards(Source #4). Even when Bennett announced reforms like unemployment insurance, minimum wages, agricultural support, and stronger labour protections, many Canadians doubted his integrity because the promises he made appeared only months before an election. His earlier decisions already damaged his credibility, especially the creation of government-run relief camps, in these camps unemployed men lived under strict military style discipline for very low pay. These camps brought out anger across the country which ultimately led to the On-to-Ottawa Trek in 1935, a national protest that revealed how disconnected Bennett’s government had become from ordinary Canadians( Source no.5). At the same time, powerful historical forces were shaping voter attitudes: the global Deppresion had pretty much ruined trade and industry, and new political movements like CCF and Social Credit were offering alternative ideas and visions that seemed more sincere and long-term than Bennett's sudden policy shifts(Source no.6). Economic conditions were so severe, and the public had little to no trust in Bennett and his last-minute reforms. Canadians felt that he had ignored their suffering for years. Overall, Bennett’s defeat was caused by both us delayed response to the Deppresion and larger economic, political, and social forces that made Canadians realise that it would be unwise to trust his New Deal.
CITATIONS
Bennetts New Deal(1935) - Source no.1
Gruending, V. a. P. B. D. (2
2026-07-19 20:41:10