ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | JULY 13, 1940 | CANADIAN COUNTRYMAN
This cartoon appeared in the July 13, 1940 issue of Canadian Countryman. It depicts four men, labelled “farmer”, “labor”, “industry” and “finance” on the same side engaged in the tug-of-war labelled “war effort.” It was accompanied by the caption reading “All together!” making an appeal to class unity in the face of the Nazi armies sweeping across Europe. The cartoon reflects the general spirit of unity that prevailed in the country following the outbreak of war in 1939.
These conditions were in marked contrast to the prevailing conditions of the 1930s, during the Great Depression, when mass unemployment and years of crop failures lead to severe social unrest. The unemployed, western farmers, small businessmen, and the youth experienced the worst effects of the Depression, and many in these positions were drawn towards radical political solutions to their suffering. Communist and fascist movements, as well as everything in between, grew in membership and influence during this period by taking advantage of class tensions.
Political stability returned with the outbreak of war, which pulled the country out of the Great Depression and united farmers, workers, industry, and finance together against a common enemy.