Hitched to the Plow: The Place of Western Pioneer Women in Innisian Staple Theory A Thesis Subrnitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology University of Regina by Sandxa Lynn Rollings-Magnusson Regina, Saskatchewan June, 1997 Copyright 1997: S.L. Rollings-Magnusson 395 Wellington Street 395, nie Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive pemettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seli reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de micro fi ch el^, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othemîse de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Romantic images of the opening of the 'last best west' bring forth visions of hearty pioneer men and women with children in hand gazing across bountiful fields of golden wheat that would make them wealthy in a land full of promise and freedom. The reality, of course, did not match the fantasy. Many settlers faced a harsh existence filled with backbreaking labour, isolation, exploitation and destitution. Innisian staple theory with its emphasis on technology, geography, foreign dernand and the effect that staple cornmodities had on the economic, political and social development of Canada would not concern itself with the difference between the fantasy or reality as the 'individual' has no place in this grand economic perspective. It is suggested that the lnnisian approach falls short of providing a comprehensive explanation of Canadian historical development given the absence of the human element. By integrating factors such as the important roles played by each member of the farnily farm in establishing the staple economy, recognizing the unique contributions made by women in this process and the legislation that ensured the successful colonization of the western region, valuable insights could be acquired into the nature of staple-driven development. Archiva1 research concerning the settlement of Saskatchewan, pioneer experiences, economic issues, social attitudes, the work performed by men and women and the laws applicable in the region throughout the period of expansion provides a factual understanding i -- ---- *- -- with the staple approach, western expansion as an investment vehicle and the value of women's productive and non-productive labour to the economy contributes to an understanding of the need to amend the Innisian staple approach. The research conducted reveals that the wheat economy had a strong influence on the pattern of western Canadian development, however the impact of individual efforts, particularly those of women, had both direct and indirect effects on staple production. Without the labour of farm women, family farming operations would not have been as efficient and productive as they were, the wealth generated by the staple and economic linkages throughout the country would have been lessened and capital accumulation would have been slowed. In essence, woments labour was a key to economic progress and must be taken into account in Innisian staple theory. 1 would like to thank the members of my supervisory committee, Drs. John Conway, Murray Knuttila and Robert Stirling. Each of them has contributed their invaluable experience and 1 am indebted to them. However, 1 would particularly like to thank Robert Stirling who introduced me to the field of political economy and taught me to appreciate Canadian history. He has also guided me throughout my undergraduate and graduate years and the assistance and support that he has given me will always be remembered. Acknowledgement must also be given to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Regina for their financial assistance. My graduate years have been made easier by their generosity . 1 would also like to thank the members of my family. My parents, W. Ivan and Mary Etta Rollings have constantly 'urged me on' and their ideas and suggestions for this thesis have been very helpful. Bob Magnusson, my partner for twenty years, has also been an unfailing source of support. His positive attitude always managed to conquer my pessimistic one. Finally, this thesis is dedicated to 'tina, my daughter, whose ancestors were pioneers on the western prairies ...-. iii Page ABSTRACT .................................................... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................... iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................... 1.1 Colonialism and staple extraction .................... 1 1.2 The national policy era .............................. 2 1.3 Theoretical approaches ............................... 4 1.4 Goverment policy, the western prairies and producers of wheat ................................... 7 1.4.1 The importance of women to the production process ........................................ 8 1.4.2 Federal, territorial and provincial legislation and its effects on women ......................... 10 1.5 Arguing for a holistic theoretical approach .......... 10 1.6 Summary ............................................. 11 CHAPTER 2: THE PRE-CONFEDERATION SITUATION AND THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A NATIONAL POLICY ........................................... 13 2.1 Colonial difficulties prior to 1867 .................. 13 2.2 The unification of the colonies ...................... 16 2.3 The cxeation and domination of a peripheral region by the Dominion ...................................... 20 2.4 The Canadian Pacific Railway. immigration and settlement policies and protective tariffs ........... 26 2.5 Summary ...................,.......................... 35 CHAPTER 3: INNISIAN THEORY OF CANADIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ...................................... 37 3.1 The staple theory of Harold Adams Innis .............. 37 3.2 Staple-led development on the western prairies ....... 44 3.2.1 Fowkels interpretation of western expansion ...... 45 3.3 Staple production and structural complications ....... 47 3.4 Summary ........................................... 49 CHAPTER 4: STAPLE EXTRACTION AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONS IN THE WESTERN PERIPHERY ............................ 51 4.1 Staple extraction. legislation and market creation ............................................. 51 4.2 Siftonls immigration policies ........................ 52 4.3 The importance of a rail system to successful settlement .......................................... 55 Page 4.4 Structural rigidities and technological advancements in wheat production .................................. 58 4.5 The settlers' lack of self-sufficiency as investment potential ......................................... 60 4.6 Exaggerated advertising carnpaigns, propaganda, swindlers and soddies ................................ 64 4.7 Isolation experienced by the settlers ................ 69 4.8 Econornic injustices faced by the settlers ............. 71 4.9 Sumrnary .............................................. 77 CHAPTER 5: THE PRODUCTION OF WHEAT. THE FORMATION OF THE FAMILY FARM AND THE VALUE OF WOMEN'S LABOUR TO THE STAPLE ECONOMY .............................. 79 Innisian staple theory and the family farrning operation ............................................ 79 Dernographics of the settlement population ............ 80 The necessity of a farm wife ......................... 83 Biological determinisrn, social attitudes and the division of farm labour .............................. 85 Men's work and responsibilities ...................... 89 Farm wornen's work .................................... 90 Reproduction ......................................... 95 Hardship and isolation of prairie women .............. 96 Theoretical analyses of the productive and non- productive work of women ............................ 98 The relation of patriarchal ideology and legislation and its effects on women ................ 103 English Comrnon Law ................................... 108 Women and federal, territorial and provincial legislation ......................................... 109 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ....................................... 125 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................ 132 APPENDIX A: POETRY PERTAINING TO WOMEN'S WORK ............... 145 APPENDIX B: FEDi3RAI-r. TERRITORIAL AND PROVINCIAL STATUTES AS THEY RELATE TO WOMEN IN SASKATCHEWAN ......... 149 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Colonialism and staple extraction The path of economic, political and social development experienced in Canada during the course of its historical progression from colony to nation was inconsistent, complex and unique. It was inconsistent in the sense that early attempts at colonization were undertaken by opposing European forces competing for wealth and power, each of which attempted to impose its own distinct culture on native peoples and immigrants alike. Economic cycles of boom and bust linked to foreign markets meant instability for the newly colonized areas as did shifts