preview

Evolution Of Canadian Identity Essay

Decent Essays

Evolution of Canadian Identity of the Twentieth Century

Canada emerged from the First World War with a stronger sense of self identity, which grew throughout the twentieth century as the nation distanced itself from Great Britain. This slow emergence of a unique Canadian identity was reinforced by the leading role Canada played in the Second World War. There were also symbolic changes at home. In 1952, the first Canadian born Governor General was appointed, and in 1965 Canada adopted it’s own distinct flag. In 1982, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was enacted. And as Canada’s self confidence as a nation continued to grow, Canadian art, music and literature played a leading role, helping define a unique Canadian culture in a world …show more content…

But at their first showing in the early 1920’s in Toronto, critics attacked their paintings as “distasteful, too decadent and an insult to common decency.” These critics, who were loyal to the classic European style of art, didn’t believe a painting could be distinctly Canadian. They had failed to understand that a growing number of Canadians, caught up in their new found nationalism, wanted to interpret art in a purely Canadian way. Art historian, J. Russell Harper stated that the Canadian public enthusiastically embraced the Group of Seven’s unique portrayal of the Canadian landscape and increased the public’s sense that Canadian art, like the country, was unique in it’s own way. This was something Lawren Harris, a member of the Group of Seven, also believed when he stated, “We also came to realize that we in Canada cannot truly understand the great cultures of the past and of other peoples, until we ourselves commence our own creative life in the arts.” Their impact continued throughout the twentieth century, showing that the strength of a singular painting can forge an identity for a nation. They remain extremely popular today and have given generations of Canadian artists the opportunity to interpret Canada in their own

Get Access