Canada, Ecuador, and the Great Depression
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a) Compare the U.S. and Latin America. Examine the view that the Great Depression in each was caused primarily by political rather than by economic factors. Cause
b) To what extent did the Great Depression contribute to political instability in one country in Latin America? Cause
c) Compare and contrast the social impact of the Great Depression in two different countries from the region (Canada & a Latin American Country). Perspectives
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1) _____ Write Question (3 pts)
a) _____ name (3 pts)
b) _____ date (3 pts)
c) _____ grammar (3 pts)
d) _____ 2 pages (3 pts)
2) _____Thesis – 1st paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____Supporting Argument #1 (3 pts)
b) _____Supporting Argument #2 (3 pts)
3) _____Supporting Argument #1 – 2nd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
4) _____Supporting Argument #2 – 3rd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
5) _____Contextualization (Summarize the time period) – 4th paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ What was occurring? (3 pts)
b) _____ Where were the events occurring at? (3 pts)
c) _____ Why were these events occurring? (3 pts)
d) _____ How were these events occurring? (3 pts)
e) _____ Who was involved and in what ways? (3 pts)
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Date of writing: 10/29/2025
Time limit: 45 minutes
Preparation time: 1 days
Chosen prompt: Compare and contrast the social impact of the Great Depression in two different countries from the region (Canada & a Latin American Country). Perspectives
Word count: 1028
Grade: 100%
The Great Depression had various social effects in both Canada and Ecuador, many of which were both comparable and disparate in their influences on the wider population of the country. In both Ecuador and Canada, there existed high unemployment, social unrest, and a debating of government purpose and functionality following the influence of the Great Depression, leading to a widespread, shared frustration and negative sentiments as a result. However, the disparities in impact of such social effects can be seen when analyzing the influence of them on Ecuador; indigenous and vulnerable populations suffered more, institutions and politics were unstable, and the heavy presence of social fragmentation led to a rapid promotion of populism, unlike Canada.
Both Canada and Ecuador shared negative social impacts as a result of the impeding economic decline. Setting these countries within the broader time period of the Great Depression, it should be noted that the Ecuadorian economy relied heavily on its cacao exports, as a large portion of the country's foreign income resulted from such; thus, when the Great Depression hit, global economic downturns resulted in major losses for both the country as a whole and the farmers that work within. Likewise, Canada's economy was tightly knit with wheat, mineral, and industrial good exports, of which composed its foreign income, therefore experiencing the same tragic loss of finance when the Depression occurred. In the year following the Depression, the populations of both countries had a radical shift in the perspective of their government. Ecuadorians viewed their government as ineffective and detached, believing they had no intent of aiding the wider population, while Canadians perceived government inaction as an act of betrayal by capitalist and industrial elites who---unlike the majority of Canada---were shielded by their wealth and close connections with government officials. In both nations, employment was rampant; Ecuador's primary commercial hub, Guayaquil, was hit the hardest, as the lack of flowing money resulted in a great portion of the population losing a source of income. For Canada, unemployment came in the form of surging layoffs in industrial cities such as Montreal and Toronto, peaking at a national 30% unemployment. Furthermore, widespread frustration with government spread in both countries; Ecuadorians and Canadians who shared sentiments participated in protests and strikes. In Canada, this was exemplified by the On-To-Ottowa Trek protest in which unemployed men in federally run relief camps organized and demanded for fair pay and better treatment, ultimately ending in the Regina Riot where protesters were harmed when they clashed with law enforcement. Additionally, a general debate over government purpose existed in both Ecuador and Canada, primarily in the form of organizations and shared ideals. For Ecuador, this came in the shape of populism and the challenging of already existing social hierarchies while for Canada, it resulted in the founding of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation---an organization that echoed the belief that the government was responsible for ensuring collective well-being and social stability.
TWhile Canada and Ecuador had undeniable comparable social effects engendered by the Great Depression, it can be argued that Ecuador suffered significantly more. During this point in time, Ecuador had already established social and economic inequalities rooted in their colonial past. Canada, on the other hand, had federally established reform programs that holistically addressed social and economic disparities in times of crisis. It's not only the outcomes that differed, as Ecuadorian held a populist government---platformed through aligning popular ideologies---that framed the Depression as a socioeconomic crisis that could be overcome by setting aside social divisions, while Canada's Prime Minister R.B. Bennett prioritized economic stability by putting forth businesses and tariffs in the interests of the wealthy elite. Ecuadorian indigenous populations arguably suffered more than Canada's, as during the Depression, the majority of the indigenous were Metizos located in the impoverished haciendas of the Sierra Highlands, working under landlord control in small plots of land, preventing them from benefitting fully---if at all---from populist efforts. Canada's indigenous, however, were located in the Prairie Provinces and received federal aid in the form of direct cash payments and vouchers that helped them get by in life. In addition, Ecuador had economic and social inequalities that were heightened by the lack of political and institutional foundation; this was demonstrated when between the wealthy liberal coastal elites and the impoverished highland workers. Though, Canada---attributed to by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett---had established, strong democratic institutions in the form of churches, local governments, and labor unions that provided means of social support during the Depression. In contrast, Ecuador also had deep social fragmentation as a result of rapid unemployment and growing frustration, resulting in the promotion of populist figures such as Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, a populist leader whose repeated election in Ecuador emphasized the lack of leadership and suffering of the population. Canada, unlike Ecuador's rise of populism, saw the rise of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, a leader who promoted the idea that governments were responsible for collective security and social balance. Not only did Prime Minister Mackenzie King reaffirm Bennett's ideals of government aid, but he also expanded infrastructure and addressed unemployment.
The social impacts and influences of the Great Depression on Canada and Ecuador must be exemplified through events such as the Guayaquil unemployment crisis, On-To-Ottawa Trek protest, Regina Riot, and social disparities. Alongside the occurrence of such events, underscored socioeconomic divisions, lackluster leadership, and struggling populations also existed. Such tragedies occurred in the northern parts of Ecuador, Prairie Provinces of Canada, and in primary trading and industrial hubs in both nations. The suffering of both countries resulted from a growth of collective discontent with the government, a desire for social stability, and a lack of federal aid. Likewise, ephemeral, weak reform efforts in both countries manifested such events and sentiments, also leading to a rise in popular organization and national cohesion. As stated prior, the most notable figures involved in Canada include Prime Ministers R.B. Bennett and William Lyon Mackenzie King; Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra being the populist leader of Ecuador who embodied the ideals of the people.
