The Home FrontTHE ROLE OF CANADA AND ITS PEOPLE DURING WWII

Recap Middle of 1940 Germany has taken over most of Europe France overrun and defeated Apart from Commonwealth support,

Britain is on its own Germany, Japan, Italy (and Russia) allied Japan expanding empire across Pacific Jewish persecution in Europe continually

increasing, Holocaust well underway

Canada’s Ties to Britain Large population of Canada’s population was of

English, Irish, Scottish, and Irish descent Many Canadians still felt strong connection to Britain

England and the Monarchy were committed to rallying support from Canada in war effort

Mackenzie King was committed to helping Britain, but wanted to keep involvement limited Didn’t want to fight “Britain’s War” again, even if threat of

Hitler was great Result of WWI left bad taste in Canadian public’s mouth

“All those opposed, say nay…” Near-unanimous support for war in Parliament,

but not in Canadian public People knew the threat Hitler posed, but were still against war

Conscientious Objectors People whose beliefs strictly prohibited violence under

any circumstance Ex. Mennonites

Pacifists Those who believe no violence is always preferable to any

violence Conscientious Objectors believe in pacifism

The East Coast Newfoundland-Labrador

Site of coastal defenses, airbase, naval bases, communications

Still British colony Maritimes

Site of Canada’s major ports Vital to supply convoys, naval protection, construction and

repairs Convoys

Canadian Naval ships escorted supply convoys partway across Atlantic

U-Boats Threat of U-Boat attacks always present in Atlantic and St.

Lawrence

Central Canada

Massive increase in manufacturing New products being manufactured in Canada

Southern Ontario, Montreal, and certain areas in Manitoba

Manufactured steel, munitions, aircraft, ships, radio equipment, and more

The West Coast

Responding to Japanese threat Japanese expansion threatened BC coast Vancouver especially worried; often enforced

blackouts every night Agricultural resurgence

Weather cooperated again after years of drought Harvests in Saskatchewan reached record-breaking

numbers Food made in Canada vital to soldiers

overseas

Role of Women Like WWI, enlistment of men left

many jobs open to women Industry

Women took jobs in steel mills, munitions factories

Labour shortages forced government to campaign more female demographics

Image of female steel worker became cultural icon

Agriculture Burden of working farms fell on ~800,000

Canadian women Often had to work double-time to make up for

missing men

Role of Aboriginal groups Aboriginal people across Canada still

experiencing poverty and discrimination Still desired to help war effort in various ways Part of the reason many enlisted

$23,000 in donations to war effort Donated part of federal treaty money back to war effort Raised money through selling furs and moccasins

Became integral in Industry & Agriculture Aboriginal land underwent large cultivation transformations Men rejected from enlisting were relocated to industrial jobs

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

Announced December 17th, 1939 by Mackenzie King

Joint plan created by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Commonwealth pilots would first go to training schools in Canada before going to war

King hopeful this would be Canada’s main contribution to war Helped Allied effort without risking Canadian

lives

BCATP Continued

Canada chosen because of… Ideal weather Open space Large supply of fuel Industrial facilities Lack of any real threat from enemies  Relative proximity to both Europe and Pacific

theatres

BCATP Continued Numerous schools for different Air Force roles

Initial training schools Elementary flying training schools Service flying training schools Air observer schools Bombing and gunnery schools Air navigation schools Wireless radio schools

Ended up training approximately 131,500 Air Force personnel