Canada in WW1 Flashcards
Canada Enters the War
In 1914, although Canada is an independent country, they did not control their own international affairs or constitution
- This meant that once Britain declared war, Canada was automatically also at war.
Canada Enters the War
Although they did not control their entrance into the war, many Canadians were enthusiastic about joining the effort
- At the beginning of war, Canada had a standing army of ~3000
- By the end of the war, over 650,000 men and women served in uniform and over 400,000 served overseas
- Of these people, over 66,000 dies and over 172,000 were injured
First Canadian Action
Canadians arrived Europe in 1915
After a short training period, they saw their first action in the second battle of Ypres
- *Experienced the impact of the first major poison gas attack of the war…
Canadian Reputation
Canadians quickly become known for their military success despite their relatively small size
- Canadian divisions begin to “spearhead” attacks
- This meant Canadians saw intense action and were put into very dangerous positions
Vimy Ridge
Due to their successes, the British army combined all four Canadian divisions
- In April, 1917, the Canadian forces were tasked to take the German position on Vimy Ridge
- By then, the French had over 100,000 casualties from attempting to take the ridge
Vimy Ridge
Canadians underwent rigorous preparations for the attack:
- A replica of the battlefield was used to practice the attack
- Canadians conducted many trench raids to gain information on defenses
- Extensive tunnel systems were dug
- Artillery pummeled the German trenches for a week in advance of the attack
Vimy Ridge
On Easter Monday, the three-day attack began, ending with the capture of the crucial ridge
- First use of a “creeping barrage”
- Resulted in over 10,000 Canadian casualties
On Canadians
From the German perspective, Canadians were less efficient and successful than they were brutal and terrifying
- Violence against prisoners/surrendering soldiers - Extensively used poison gas
- Utilized “cunning” tactics
Total War
Complete dedication of a nation’s resources toward the war effort
- Population mobilization
- Manufacturing changes
- Control over society
Total War
Governments raised taxes and borrowed huge amounts of money to pay the costs of war.
They rationed food and other products, from boots to gasoline
Total War
Governments would control public opinion. Even in democratic countries, special boards censored the press.
Propaganda is the spreading of ideas to promote a cause or to damage an opposing cause.. Often, these stories were greatly exaggerated or completely made up.
Total War
governments turned to help from women as never before.
● Thousands of women replaced men in factories, offices, and shops.
● Women built tanks and munitions, plowed fields, paved streets, and ran hospitals. They also kept troops supplied with food, clothing, and weapons.
● Women also saw the horrors of war firsthand, working on or near the front lines as nurses.
Ultranationalism
“Extreme nationalism that promotes the interest of one nation above all others”
Hold on… how is that different
nationalism?
The line between the two is often very blurry. What is patriotic to one can be ultranationalistic to another…
- What do you think the difference is?
Contending Loyalties
Loyalties that compete; whether individual or collective
- May weaken a sense of nationalism or undermine commitment to a nation
What are some loyalties that might contend with national loyalty?
Contending Loyalties
Pacifism: the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means
Conscientious objection: a refusal to serve in the armed forces or bear arms on moral or religious grounds.
War Measures Act, 1914
Allowed the cabinet to bypass the House of Commons and Senate
Restricted many rights and freedoms, including the right to a fair trial before detention
Censorship under the War Measures Act
Newspapers and other publications were under strict restrictions under threat of arrest
Mass propaganda production occurred with numerous goals (raise money, increase enlistment, demonize the enemy…)
Internment of “Enemy Aliens”
“Enemy Alien”
A term used to describe citizens states legally at war with the British Empire residing in Canada during the war
Internment of “Enemy Aliens”
The War Measures Act allowed the government to detain people without a trial if:
- there were “reasonable grounds” to believe they were “engaged or attempting to engage in espionage or
- acts of hostile nature, or giving or attempting to give information to the enemy, or attempting to assist the enemy”
Internment of “Enemy Aliens”
8,579 men (majority Ukrainian) were held at 24 internment camps across Canada
- Most were forced into labour
- 107 died while interned 80,000 people (majority Ukrainian) were forced to register as “enemy aliens” and report to the police monthly
Conscription Crisis
Sir Robert Borden’s union government passed the Military Service Act in 1916
- With some exceptions (farmers and some others), able bodied men 20-45 forced into military service.
- After election of 1918, exemptions removed (farmers no longer exempt)
Conscription Crisis
Those who did not/could not enlist were seen as social pariahs (outcasts)
disloyalty, cowardice, and immorality vs.
imperialism, stupidity, and bloodlust
Conscription Crisis?
Protests against conscription occurred across Canada, but they were particularly strong in Quebec
- Almost all of Quebec did not agree with conscription
- In general, French Canadians felt they had little, if any, loyalty to Britain or France
- Protests became bloody riots during the Quebec Easter Riots
Conscription Crisis
First Nations leaders challenged the Act on grounds that it violated treaty rights and argued that because they could not vote, they should not be forced to fight overseas
- First Nations people were granted exemption (over 4,000 fought overseas in the war)
~93% of eligible Canadians sought exemption
Conscription Crisis
Despite the controversy, many viewed conscription as a necessity
- Although less than 30,000 Canadian conscripts made it to the front lines, many argue that without them, Canada could not have maintained all 4 divisions and played such a decisive role at the end of the war…
