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:{[See also|Social Credit System}}

:{{See also|Social Credit System}}

'''Social Credit''' (often called ''Socred'') was a populist political movement strongest in Alberta and British Columbia, 1930s-1970s. It spread to Saskatchewan, and contested federal elections. It had a long history in Quebec, beginning in 1936, but later reorganized into the Union des Electeurs, and then into Le Ralliement des Creditistes.  Social Credit was based on the economic theories of British engineer Major C. H. Douglas.

'''Social Credit''' (often called ''Socred'') was a populist political movement strongest in Alberta and British Columbia, 1930s-1970s. It spread to Saskatchewan, and contested federal elections. It had a long history in Quebec, beginning in 1936, but later reorganized into the Union des Electeurs, and then into Le Ralliement des Creditistes.  Social Credit was based on the economic theories of British engineer Major C. H. Douglas.

During the [[Great Depression, Canada|Great Depression]] the demand for radical political transformation made its appeal after the worst period was over and the economy was recovering. Mortgage debt was significant because farmers could not meet their interest payments. The insecurity of farmers, whose debts were increasing and who had no legal protection against foreclosure, was a potent factor in creating a mood of political desperation. Since 1920 Alberta had been controlled by a radical farmers party, The United Farmers of Alberta (UFA).<ref>Carl F. Betke, "The United Farmers of Alberta, 1921-1935." in ''Society and Politics in Alberta,'' edited by Carlo Caldarola. 1979. 14-32.</ref> The UFA was baffled by the depression and a personal scandal caused the resignation of its leader.  

During the [[Great Depression]] the demand for radical political transformation made its appeal after the worst period was over and the economy was recovering. Mortgage debt was significant because farmers could not meet their interest payments. The insecurity of farmers, whose debts were increasing and who had no legal protection against foreclosure, was a potent factor in creating a mood of political desperation. Since 1920 Alberta had been controlled by a radical farmers party, The United Farmers of Alberta (UFA).<ref>Carl F. Betke, "The United Farmers of Alberta, 1921-1935." in ''Society and Politics in Alberta,'' edited by Carlo Caldarola. 1979. 14-32.</ref> The UFA was baffled by the depression and a personal scandal caused the resignation of its leader.  

The prairies had always believed that they were being exploited by Toronto and Montreal.  What they lacked was a prophet who would lead them to the promised land. The Social Credit movement began in Alberta in 1932; it became a political movement in 1935 and suddenly burned like a prairie fire.  The prophet and new premier was radio evangelist [[William Aberhart]] (1878-1943). The message was biblical prophecy. Aberhart was a fundamentalist, preaching the revealed word of God. Aberhart and his flock quoted the Bible to protest against the evils of the modern, materialistic world: the evils of sophisticated academics and their biblical criticism, the cold formality of middle-class congregations, the vices of dancing and movies and drink. "Bible Bill" preached that the capitalist economy was rotten because of its immorality; specifically it produced goods and services but did not provide people with sufficient purchasing power to enjoy them. This could be remedied by the distribution of money in the form of social credit, or $25 a month for every man and woman.  This pump priming was guaranteed to restore prosperity, he prophesied to the 1600 Social Credit clubs he formed in the province.  Alberta's businessmen, professionals, newspaper editors and the traditional middle-class leaders protested vehemently at Aberhart's crack-pot ideas, but they had not solved any problems and spoke not of the promised land ahead.  Aberhart's new party in 1935 elected 56 members to the Assembly, compared to 7 for all the other parties.<ref>The economic theorist for Aberhart was Major Douglas was an English engineer with an unbounded confidence in technology. Neatby (1972) 143-61; Irving, (1959);</ref>

The prairies had always believed that they were being exploited by Toronto and Montreal.  What they lacked was a prophet who would lead them to the promised land. The Social Credit movement began in Alberta in 1932; it became a political movement in 1935 and suddenly burned like a prairie fire.  The prophet and new premier was radio evangelist [[William Aberhart]] (1878-1943). The message was biblical prophecy. Aberhart was a fundamentalist, preaching the revealed word of God. Aberhart and his flock quoted the Bible to protest against the evils of the modern, materialistic world: the evils of sophisticated academics and their biblical criticism, the cold formality of middle-class congregations, the vices of dancing and movies and drink. "Bible Bill" preached that the capitalist economy was rotten because of its immorality; specifically it produced goods and services but did not provide people with sufficient purchasing power to enjoy them. This could be remedied by the distribution of money in the form of social credit, or $25 a month for every man and woman.  This pump priming was guaranteed to restore prosperity, he prophesied to the 1600 Social Credit clubs he formed in the province.  Alberta's businessmen, professionals, newspaper editors and the traditional middle-class leaders protested vehemently at Aberhart's crack-pot ideas, but they had not solved any problems and spoke not of the promised land ahead.  Aberhart's new party in 1935 elected 56 members to the Assembly, compared to 7 for all the other parties.<ref>The economic theorist for Aberhart was Major Douglas was an English engineer with an unbounded confidence in technology. Neatby (1972) 143-61; Irving, (1959);</ref>