Explain the rise of labour movements in nineteenth and early twentieth century Canada.

Labour movements in nineteenth and early twentieth century Canada played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic, political, and social landscape. This proposal aims to explore the rise of these movements, analyzing the historical context, economic factors, and social conditions that contributed to their emergence. The topic is of particular interest to economists and economic historians to further understand the dynamics of labour markets, industrialization, and the development of social policies. This era of time witnessed the transformation of the Canadian economy from an agrarian-based system to an industrial one. The expansion of industrial enterprises resulted in the growth of cities leading to the migration of workers from rural to urban areas. Economic factors such as industrialization, technological advancements, and the emergence of large-scale businesses all contributed to the rise of labor movements. Workers faced harsh working conditions, long hours, low pay, and little job security. These conditions prompted the formation of unions, as well as the organization of strikes and protests in order to demand better treatment and working conditions. 

The role of government intervention is a major topic of debate in the study of labor movements. Some argue that government intervention, through legislation and social policies, was important to address workers’ grievances and improve their conditions. Others contend that government intervention was limited and that labor movements were primarily responsible for the improvements in workers’ rights and conditions. This paper aims to identify the forces responsible for the aid and improvement in the labour conditions during this perilous time.

A proposed theoretical framework for analyzing the rise of labour movements is the Marxist theory of class struggle. According to this theory, society is divided into two main classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie control the means of production and exploit the proletariat for their labor. The proletariat, in turn, organize and resist the exploitation through collective action, such as forming unions and engaging in strikes. The Marxist theory of class struggle provides a framework for analyzing the rise of labour movements by understanding the dynamics of class struggle and the motivations of workers.