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World War I
When Archduke was assassinated, Canada was automatically entered into the war when Britain signed in, showing Canada’s lack of independence and small influence. Canada provided supplies and men to support the war, and supported Britain the most. Canada also joined under the impression that the war would be over by Christmas, and needed employment. -
World War I pt. 2
Canada was able to afford the war efforts as a small country through victory bonds, honour rationing, and income and corporate tax. Japanese Canadians were placed in internment camps, and deported. Propaganda, including posters, ads, and even childrens toys, sought Japanese Canadians to be seen as monsters, causing severe mistreatment and inequality. -
World War I pt. 2
WWI had many international and domestic impacts on Canada. Because Canada was so young and was influenced heavily by Britain before the war, with almost no international influence, the war engaged Canada internationally and made them known. The government created a large development in the healthcare system, building many hospitals, sanitariums, and rehabilitation centers. Income tax, which was introduced to help with the war effort, ended up sticking around forever. -
Treaty of Versailles
After the first world war, country representatives gathered in Paris to determine who should be punished for the cause and effects of WWI. The agreement forced most blame and responsibility on Germany, as the Austo-Hungarian empire had been conquered. This treaty forced Germany to pay money to the Allies, rid their military, and give up land. This caused Germany to fall into a depression, and allowed Adolf Hitler to rise. -
Treaty of Versailles pt.2
This treaty had many repercussions on many parts of the world, including Canada. It was a cause of the great depression, former colonies became independent, and Britain, France, and the U.S.A. became world powers. When Canada signed the treaty, they had also signed independently, which represented a step towards Canadian independence. Canada was also entered into the League of Nations at this time. -
Winnipeg General Strike
During the time of WWl, most men had gone off to war. This resulted in many open job positions that women and previously “unfit” candidates could now take. After proving their worth and receiving a taste of the working life, when soldiers began coming back, they didn’t want to give up their jobs. With factories scaling back production because of the end of war, open positions were scarce. Along with lack of safety, equality, and reasonable wages, this led to the Winnipeg general strike. -
Winnipeg General Strike pt. 2
Workers walked out from their jobs and received food from the leaders of the strike and farmers, resulting in mass unemployment and unproductivity. This act raised minimum wage, and created workplace regulations, safety measures, and equality rules in Canada. Individuals also took measures into politics and legislature. One of these people were Tommy Douglas, the inventor of Canada’s public Healthcare system. The Winnipeg Strike was the first step in Canadian workplace fairness and regulations. -
Alcohol Prohibition
The U.S.A. and Canada had placed a ban on public alcohol sale and consumption. The only legal sale and use of alcohol was via medical facilities and government regulated systems. The only place in America or Canada that had fully legal public sale and consumption of alcohol was Montreal, Quebec. This led to massive tourism and sales, as well as the introduction of organized crime. Bootleggers and gangs would make organized plans to smuggle alcohol from Montreal over the Canada/U.S.A. border. -
Alcohol Prohibition pt. 2
This created both positive and negative impacts to Canada, such as mass tourism, high tax revenue, and tighter border security, at the cost of organized crime and systematic corruption. Eventually the prohibition was lifted. Instead of banning alcohol, the Canadian government made government run shops and stores that are the only legal place to sell and buy liquor and other alcohol. This generates a large amount of money and tax for the government, and also regulates the alcohol. -
The Great Depression
After the stock market crash in 1929, the great depression took place. After WWI, the Canadian economy was doing well. Banks offering loans, people spending money, and companies producing a lot of goods, all led to the great depression. When people began to notice the stock crash, people were in debt from bank loans, investors sold and withdrew their stocks, and people were unemployed because production facilities began scaling back production. -
The Great Depression pt. 3
During the Great Depression, Canada to developed 3 main political parties, the Communist Party, the Cooperative CommonWealth Federation, and the Social Credit Party. None of these parties won, but they evolved into modern day parties, and inspired modern Canada to consider new parties, and think about how to prevent another depression. They also provide a clear view of the values Canadians had during the depression, and allows us to reflect on the event. -
The Great Depression pt. 2
As a last ditch effort, you could go work in a labour camp and receive just enough money to get by. They also offered food programs, but farmers had to grow with locusts, drought, and dust storms, resulting in low food supplies. With WWII presenting itself, it offered a lot of employment, and war funding, relieving Canada of the depression. -
World War II pt. 2
After Britain and France declared war on Germany for breaking the Munich Agreement, Canada wasn’t too involved. Canada mostly used isolationism (an act of staying out of country affairs, and focusing on your own country), but still provided some resources, equipment, and soldiers. However, when Germany was on the verge of defeating Britain and the U.S.S.R., Canada was the leading cause for victory on D-day, which is arguably the battle that won the war. -
World War II
There were 2 main groups in WWII, the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Canada, and later the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.), and the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, and Italy). In WWI Canada was automatically entered when Britain declared war. This time, Canada had a completely independent decision of joining the war, demonstrating a step forward to full independence. Of course Canada was going to support the Allies, they just wanted their own decision, determined by parliament. -
World War II pt. 3
Inside of Canada, there were protests and riots invloving English and French Canadians revolving around the idea of Conscription. Most French Canadians wanted to help in the war effort, they just wanted to do it on their own terms, without being told to. In the end conscription was placed, breaking King's promise. Japanese, Jewish, and German Canadians were also placed into guarded internment camps run by the government, deported, and were harrassed and treated inequally by other civilians. -
Canada and the United Nations
With Canada’s history of world peace, Canada is very involved with the United Nations. With the creation of peacekeepers, Declaration of Human Rights, Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Health Organization, Canada has made significant contributions to the U.N., international peace, and human rights. Canada is viewed as a neutral middle power, being a world leader in human rights and worldwide peace. We also spend most soldiers on the U.N., instead of their personal military and gain. -
Canada and the United Nations pt. 2
Canadian Politician John Peters Humphrey had set up the UN Division of Human Right after he created the drafts of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see “Creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”). Canadian diplomat Lester Pearson introduced peacekeepers and solved the Suez Canal Crisis through the U.N. (as mentioned in “Suez Canal Crisis, 1956). -
Creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Canadian political John Peters Humphrey made the original draft of the declaration of human rights. Humphrey had written the first 5 drafts of the declaration, before it was passed to René Cassin, who made minor revisions and received full credit for many years. The Declaration is published under the United Nations, and is a universal agreement. The Declaration assures civil and political rights no matter the race, language, religion, color, sex, etc. -
Suez Canal Crisis
During the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956, world superpowers battled in Egypt for control of the Suez Canal. Canada, however, took on the strategy of diplomacy. Canadian political Diplomat Lester Pearson, suggested to the United Nations a new idea of peacekeeping. Soldiers from neutral countries would go to places of conflict under the United Nations, and keep the peace by protecting both sides, and resolving conflict. -
Suez Canal Crisis pt.2
Peacekeepers would also help soldiers and citizens get clean water and food, as well as medical attention and shelter. This act impacted the Canadian identity very positively because it encouraged Canada’s globally known peacefulness, and shows that Canada fights for everyone and genuinely desires global peace. This idea of diplomacy had resolved the Suez Canal Crisis, and potentially prevented a nuclear conflict. -
Canadian Constitution and Charter of Human Rights and Freedom
The “Canada Act”, or the “Canadian Constitution Act”, was the official act that made Canada 100% independent. Before this movement, Canada had to ask and refer to Britain to propose and finalize any decisions or ideas. With the Canadian Constitution Act, Canada is allowed to make complete decisions independently. Canada had been thriving as a mostly independent country, so this act finalizes Canada as a complete nation. -
Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedom pt. 2
At the same time, the Charter of Rights and Freedom was birthed. This act ensured that all Canadians have an equal standard of political and civil rights. The Charter of Rights and Freedom also unifies Canada and Canadians globally, as it demonstrates an act of peace and friendship with all people, and shows that Canada is responsible for their own laws and decisions. As time and society develops, the charter is also updated, to allow full coverage of modern day rights and freedoms.