Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Harvey, David
Area of Concentration
History
Abstract
This thesis examines the Irish Catholic working-class ethnic enclave of Griffintown in Montreal, Quebec, during the height of the progressive movement in North America, 1890 through 1920. Using both original archival research and secondary sources to build upon history, anthropology, and urban studies, I argue that within Canada, poverty reform in Griffintown embodied the progressive focus on urban, industrial poverty, including the clash and collaboration between elite reformist goals and working-class survival tactics. I emphasize the different nationalisms motivating poverty relief: state-based nationalism for elite progressive reformers, and ethnicity-based nationalism for Irish Catholics in Griffintown. My first chapter contextualizes the environment of progressive reform and poverty relief in Montreal within which Griffintown became a central locality of change. My second chapter narrows my focus to progressive and grassroots poverty assistance within Griffintown, where industry and poverty were concentrated more than anywhere else in Montreal. My third chapter examines the case of the temperance movement within Griffintown, which encompassed the complicated interplay of progressive reform, religious charity, and working-class political organization, as well as undercurrents of nationalism and modernity.
Recommended Citation
Newberg, Caroline, "A LABORATORY OF PROGRESSIVE REFORM: NATIONALISM AND POVERTY RELIEF IN WORKING-CLASS, IRISH CATHOLIC GRIFFINTOWN, MONTREAL" (2021). Theses & ETDs. 6112.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6112