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Women started working in factories, hospitals, and offices while the men were at war. They proved they could do the same jobs as men, which helped change people’s views and led to women getting more rights later on. Evidence:
Photos and articles showing women working in factories and hospitals during WWI. Citation:
The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Women and War (First World War).” Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-war -
Life in the trenches was horrible. Soldiers lived in mud, surrounded by rats and diseases, and had to climb into “no man’s land” under fire. Many got sick or died, showing how deadly and painful war life was.
Evidence: Photos of soldiers in trenches, slides describing “Hell on Earth,” and examples of trench feet.
Citation:Canadian War Museum. “Life in the Trenches.” Canadian War Museum – First World War Collection. https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-the-front/trench-life/ -
The first time Canadian soldiers fought in a major World War I battle. It was also when poison gas was used for the first time,which made it extremely deadly.This helped earn Canada respect and showed their courage, even in terrible conditions.
Evidence:
Photos and letters from Canadian soldiers who fought at Ypres, and articles from the Canadian War Museum about the gas attacks.
Citation: “Second Battle of Ypres."Government of Canada,https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-ypres -
Even though Black soldiers wanted to serve, they faced racism and had to make a separate battalion. The leaders were still white, which showed unfair treatment and inequality in Canada. Evidence: Posters and photos of soldiers in the unit. Citation:Library and Archives Canada. “No. 2 Construction Battalion-Collection Search.” Government of Canada. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?IdNumber=1888467&app=fonandcol
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Indigenous kids were taken from their families and forced to go to schools that tried to erase their culture. Many were abused or got sick, showing how unfairly Indigenous people were treated in Canada.
Evidence: Textbook info about “Cultural Extinction” and Residential Schools.
Citation:
The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Residential Schools in Canada.” Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/residential-schools -
Canada showed loyalty and courage by helping Britain and fighting in major battles. The war helped Canada earn more respect and start to be seen as its own independent country. Evidence: Articles and photos from the Canadian War Museum showing Canada’s contribution to major WWI battles. Citation: Canadian War Museum. “Canada and the First World War.” Government of Canada. https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/
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Canada won a huge victory at Vimy Ridge. It was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together, and they planned the attack themselves.This showed Canada’s strength and helped the country gain independence. Evidence:Photos and articles from the Canadian War Museum showing Canada’s success at Vimy Ridge. Citation:Canadian War Museum. “The Battle of Vimy Ridge.”https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land/the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/
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Propaganda posters and ads encouraged people to help the war by buying Victory Bonds or joining the army. It brought Canadians together and made everyone feel like they were part of the war effort. Evidence:
Posters and ads from the Canadian War Museum showing propaganda and Victory Bond campaigns. Citation:
Canadian War Museum. “Canadian Wartime Propaganda – First World War.”https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/propaganda/first_e.html -
Two ships crashed in Halifax Harbour and one was full of explosives. The blast destroyed most of the city, killed thousands, and injured many more. It showed how even people at home were affected by the war. Evidence:
Photos of the explosion damage and newspapers.
Citation:
The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Halifax Explosion.” Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/halifax-explosion -
After the war, a deadly flu spread across Canada and killed tens of thousands of people. Many families lost loved ones, and it made recovery after the war even harder for everyone. Evidence: Articles and photos showing the spread of the flu and how it affected soldiers and families in Canada. Citation:
Canadian War Museum. “Influenza, 1918-1919: Canada and the First World War.” .https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-home-during-the-war/wartime-tragedies/influenza-1918-1919