The First World war: Shaping Canada’s History

1914-1918

The Effects of Total war

Canada Goes To War

Controversies During WWI

The war and Social Change in Canada

Aftermath of Total War

The Effects of Total WarPrior to WWI wars were limited to small armed conflicts fought by small professional armies with little civilian impact

With the 20th century came nationalism and industrialization

The nature of war changed to large untrained armies with great civilian impact

The Effects of Total WarAdvances in technology led to more powerful and easily moved weaponsMerchant Marine Fleets supplies navies and transported troops and munitions to EuropeBy war’s end (1918) 65 million soldiers fought and 30 million people died (from fighting – half from disease)Canada sent 600 661 soldiers – over 61 000 died, 173 000 wounded

The Effects of Total WarIn most communities there wasn’t a family that was not affected by the loss

At HomeThe length of the war required the entire countries participation in the war effortWomen volunteered overseas as nurses and ambulance drivers, as well as wrote letters to soldiers and held fundraisersYoung boys took over for the many farmers who went to fight

Canada Goes To WarMost Canadians supported involvement

This was due in part by British and French Canadian ties to Europe and feelings of loyalty to these countries

Canada’s first active military force included only 3110 soldiers and 2 naval ships, plus 74 000 in military reserves

The first sent over were under the command of the British military

Canada Goes To WarCanadian troops developed a reputation for extreme bravery

Canadian troops were often sent into battle as the first line of attack

Many key battles earned Canadians distinction in the Allied forces

The most well known is the battle of Vimy Ridge that resulted in 10 602 casualties

The battle was won marking a significant step towards victory

Canada Goes To War

On the sea, we began with only 2 ships

By the end of the war Canada had over 100 warships with 5500 naval personnel

This development of naval forces was due to the German U-boats sinking Merchant Marine vessels on the Atlantic

Canada Goes To WarCanadians joined the British Royal Air Force since Canada didn’t have an air force of it’s own40% of this force were CanadianFirst planes were used mainly for reconnaissance then grew into fighting aircraftTo be an “Ace” – 5 kills were required10 of the 27 top Aces of WWI were CanadianMost noted is Billy Bishop who had 72 victories and is credited with killing the Red Baron

Controversies During WWI

After war broke out the Borden government passed the War Measures Act giving the government the power to enforce marshal law

This Act allowed the development of internment camps holding those sympathetic to Germany (one was in Amherst)

These camps held 83 000 suspected German and Austrian sympathizers who were treated like prisoners of war

Controversies During WWIThe war effort refused admittance of First Nations People’s until 1916 when more soldiers were necessary4000 Aboriginal soldiers took partAfrican Canadians faced barriers when attempting to enlistOver 1000 served in the Canadian construction battalion and never saw combatAt the end of the war the military service of marginalized groups did not improve their status in Canadian society

Controversies During WWI

Prime Minister Borden promised no conscription

By 1916 however, more men were needed and conscription became a central issue during the 1917 election

After many political games Borden won, and passed the conscription bill

This bill only gathered 60 000 men from which only 27 000 saw military service

The War and Social Change in Canada

The war generated a tremendous boom in the economy and transformed Canada into a fully industrialized nationBecause of a drop in the labour force, women took over many men’s jobsThis gave strength to the women’s suffrage movement resulting in women winning the right to voteUnions gathered strength as well by capitalizing on the limited amount of skilled workers

The War and Social Change in Canada

The government created many social agencies resulting in the Civil ServiceVictory Bonds were create to help finance the war effortCanada’s first tax was also introduced as a temporary measure to pay for the very expensive war – they turned out to be not so temporary

Aftermath of Total War

WWI brought many significant changes to Canada as it developed as a Nation

Included with all we have discussed the most important is that Canada found it’s place among the Community of Nations

Canada was ultimately granted the right to make it’s own decisions in foreign affairs by British Parliament through the Statute of Westminster in 1931

Case 6

1) Please read chapter 4 and record vocabulary.

2) Answer question 1 on p. 57. Only discuss as a group then prepare your own answers to hand into your folder. Do not present to the class as it states.

3) What advances in Canadian military were made and why?

4) What is the War Measures Act? Do you agree with it?

5) What difficulties did Aboriginals and African Canadians have in participating in the war?

6) What was the Conscription Crisis?

7) How did war change the face of Canada domestically (at home) and abroad?