2.9B Homefront (summarized) Flashcards
What happened after Sam Hughes got fired?
Sam Hughes and his Shell Committee were replaced by the
Imperial Munitions Board, which made Canada’s munitions factories
became much more efficient
The new demand for Canadian goods helped its economy boom
What happened to Canada’s goods?
Most of Canada’s production was being shipped straight to
Europe making many goods scarce at home, and causing prices to
rise
Some businesses made enormous profits off this, which angered
workers
Workers demanding better wages and conditions became a major
issue after the war
Cost of the war
By 1918, the war effort was costing Canada about $2.5 million
daily ($43.75M adjusted for inflation)
To cover this:
- Canadians were urged to buy Victory Bonds
- Rations were imposed
- Income tax
- Corporate tax
- Canada borrowed money, especially from the U.S.
What did women do during the war?
During the war, women had new opportunities to work due to the
increased industrial production and shortage of men
Women did any type of work from operating fishing boats to
working on farms
How were women compensated?
Without women’s efforts, Canada’s wartime economy would have
collapsed, so they believed their contributions should allow them to
make decisions in the country (ie. vote)
This was granted in Manitoba, and then other provinces soon
followed
In 1918 women were granted the right to vote in federal elections
What was the Halifax?
Halifax was an important base in the war (primary departure point
for Europe). The harbour was extremely busy
What was the Halifax explosion?
On December 6th, 1917 the SS Mont Blanc a ship carrying 2500
tonnes of explosives was accidentally hit by another ship
The collision devastated Halifax’s harbour and more than 2000
were killed
