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“Enemy Aliens” and Interment Camps
Many Canadians and Immigrants of Austro-Hungarian heritage and decent were racially discriminated by being called “The Enemy Aliens” and being refused jobs. To make matters worse, the government decided to put the "Enemy Aliens" in interment camps, where they would undergo slave like work and have no health care if they were to get sick. I would give this a -2 because this was a disgusting act from the Canadian Government. No one should ever undergo what the those individuals went through. -
Women keep Canada running
During the war, many of the men were away in combat, leaving many jobs empty. Many women were told to fill in those roles, something the women never did, since they were house wives. The fact that women were assigned to do the work that had been reserved for men during the war, and looking after kids, put women in an incredibly difficult position. This type of inequity an unfairness was blown up even more when the war was over and the women had to stop working. I give this event a rate of -2. -
World War 1 begins on July 28th, 1914
WWI began on July 28th, 1914 when the Austrian-Hungarian Empire declared war on the Serbia. This is a -1 -for Canadians- because it does not represent any diplomatic progress, but instead leads to countless deaths of soldiers and civilians. -
Britain Enters the War on August 4th, 1914, and Canada joins as well, on August 5th.
Due to Britain joining the war on the 4th of August, 1914, Canada as a Dominion or colony of the Commonwealth, joins as well just a day later. This is a 0 because although the war brought a great amount of progress to the country, giving it a sense of self identity and pride, as well as motivation for more technological advancements, and eventually independence and a voice of its own in the world stage. -
Arthur Mignaut writes a letter to PM Sir Robert Borden, on September 15th, 1914, leading to the creation of the 22eme Regiment, or the “Van Doos”
On September 15th, 1914, a French-Canadian physician by the name of Arthur Mignaut writes a letter to Sir Robert Borden, the Prime Minister of Canada at the time, issuing that he wished to donate 50,000 dollars into the creation of a French-only battalion, which later became the 22 Regiment or “The Van Doos”. This is a + 1.5 because it started a tradition of recognition and respect for the French speaking Canadians. This had a positive impact in the linguistic identity of Canada. -
The Battle of Ypres, April 24th, 1915.
In the Battle of Ypres, on April 24th, 1915, the Canadian soldiers were introduced to a new Weapon of Mass Destruction – Poison Gas. This horrible new weapon killed 2000 men out of the 18000 troops that they had (11% of the men were killed by this gas). I rate this a -1.5 for the many lives lost. -
The Battle of La Somme, July 1st, 1916
On July 1st, 1916, great devastation came upon Newfoundland during the battle of La Somme, where more than 800 troop went marching (not running, but marching) into their demise. Only 68 could answer the roll call the next day. I gave this a -1.5 because it was a very horrible, bloody and sad event, which could have deserved a level -2, but because of this event, the Prime Minister of Canada went to persuade the British to let Canada become an independent army, which they did. -
The Battle of Vimy
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, which occurred on April 9th to 12th, 1917 was one of the greatest victories for the Canadians. 170000 Canadians fought against 45000 Germans. After battling and loosing so many lives on both sides, the Canadians finally won the fighta. I would give this a +2 because this is arguably one of, if not the most important moment in the road Canadian independence. Because of their actions, France has given Vimy Ridge over to the Canadians, as a token of their gratitude. -
The Halifax Explosion
On the 6th of December 1917, the largest man-made explosion (before Hiroshima and Nagasaki) occurred in Halifax. It was created when a munitions boat collided with another boat, creating an enormous explosion. I gave this a -1.5 because the explosion started a huge crisis for the people of Halifax, with so many casualties, so many people injured, and many missing. However, out of that experience a new law was born to protect the safety of school children. -
The end of WWI
On the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh day of The Eleventh month of 1918, the First World War Finally Came to a Close. I gave this a 0 because while the war helped Canada find an identity for itself, the aftermath was horrible, with the economy being in shambles, and the Canadian soldiers of other cultures (Black Canadians, Indigenous Canadians, etc.) were still not deemed the same rights as white males, and some did not get the recognition that they deserved.
