American and Canadian Relations

Wednesday January 5th, 2011

Learning Target

• We will discuss America’s Influence on Canada through pop culture.

Success Criteria

• I will be able to determine the effect America has had on my life in Canada by analyzing specific interests I have in pop culture.

Agenda

• Holiday Break Homework (Immigration Worksheet)

• So You Think Your Canadian, Eh? Worksheet

• Note on American Influence on Canada – Popular Culture

• Massey Report• Poster

So, You Think Your Canadian, Eh?

• Let’s see if you really are Canadian.• Take the quiz!• We’ll take it up in 2 minutes!

Culture and Identity

• Using your notebook, individually create a mind-map and come up with what culture includes!

• Is having a distinct Canadian Culture important? Why or Why not?

Canadian Idols• Brainstorm with a friend (2 minutes), your

favourite:• Movie• Actor/Actress• TV Show• Writer

• Out of all your answers, how many were Canadian?

American Influence on Canadian Culture in the 1950s

• In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a big concern among Canadians of becoming too “American”

• With the introduction of television, Canadian stations imported American programs to keep high ratings.

• The only Canadian television that remained popular in the 1950s was NEWS or SPORTS

Evolution of Television

Evolution of Television

American Influence on Canadian Culture in the 1950s

• Canadian talent was usually unsuccessful in Canada, so most performers found jobs in America

• After WWII, American companies opened branch plants in Canada:• American companies came to Canada and

produced goods in this country to sell to Canadians

• Created jobs for Canadians, but what about the money?

Canadian High Culture• After WWII there was an effort to make “high

culture” the official Canadian culture• What did this mean?

• CBC and National Film Board were created • Popular American culture was vulgar• Canadian government began to sponsor fine

arts• Most inspiration came from New York

Canadian High Culture• CBC received money from the Federal

governments• Other private networks relied on American

programs and advertising• As a result, Canadian talent had to travel to the

United States to gain recognition and success.• What happened?

Massey Report• Critics feared that US television would

swamp Canadian stations in cities and towns near the border

• In response to these concerns, the federal government in 1949, established the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Science.

• Five Members (Vincent Massey)• In 1951 they presented their findings and

made to preserve Canadian culture and curb US influence.

• The Canadian Council would emerge from this.

Was the Massey Report necessary for the survival of Canadian culture?

Show Your Canadian-ism

• Create a poster (either for or against) the federal government’s role in promoting Canadian culture.

Homework

• Read the handout on the Auto Pact, Vietnam War and Popular culture and make notes