1917.

Question 1

Why was 1917 the worst year?

Answer 1

Conscription crisis
Halifax Explosion
Rising casualties

Question 2

Describe Halifax Explosion

Answer 2

• On December 6, 1917
• French ship Mont Blanc collided with Norwegian ship Imo at ‘the Narrows’.
• Mont Blanc had thousands of explosives on the ship and so exploded, killing thousands and damaging 12,000 homes.

Question 3

What events led to USA joining the war?

Answer 3

• USA had not previously joined the war due to neutrality about a “European argument”.
• The sinking of the American passenger ship, Lusitania, in 1915 had angered the US, but President Wilson felt that the war did not pose a direct threat to the US.
• USA joined WW1 when Germany declared a submarine attack against Britain. US declared war against Triple Alliance in April 1917.

Question 4

Who wanted to be involved/not involved in war?

Answer 4

Yes = English Canadians. Nationalism, paid to go, 3 meals a day, “war will be short”
No =
- French Canadians. Army only spoke English, lack of opportunity (couldn’t climb ranks), lack of catholiy, wasn’t a “French war”
- Farmers vs. City Dwellers: Farmers said no as they needed their sons for the farm
- Civilians vs. Soldiers: Labour unionists said no as they needed workers to operate the machines making the war equipment