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Canada was as loyal to the British as ever. More than half of Canada's population at the time was British (54%), the next largest ethnicity being French (28.5%). More than half of the population was living in a rural area at the time (according to the 1911 census). Montreal had the highest population in Canada as well.
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On August 4th, 1914, Germany had attacked France through Belgium-- a country Britain promised to protect according to the Treaty of London of 1839. Britain decided not to ignore this and declared war on Germany. Due to Canada's loyalty to the British, as soon as they entered the war, so did Canada. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet joined enthusiastically not because of a desire to purge and conquest, but to keep peace and to maintain their relationship with Britain.
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This was Canada's first major appearance on a European battlefield. British, French, and Canadian soldiers fought alongside each other against the Germans. Unfortunately for them, this was when the Germans decided to unveil a new, game-changing weapon: poison gas. Canadian troops managed to drive the Germans out of Kitchener's Wood and thus began the Battle of St. Julien. In those 48 hours of fighting, 6,035 lives were lost,
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British and French soldiers began a massive attack on July 1st. There were more than 57,000 casualties; the highest amount in a single day in the history of the British Army. 700 of those casualties were from Newfoundland (which was not part of Canada at that point.) On September 15th, Canadians took part in a large scale attack. This was the first case of tanks used in warfare. In total. there were more than 66,000 Canadian casualties (including Newfoundlanders).
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One of the most iconic and the bloodiest battles in Canadian history. This battle was the first to use something called the "rolling barrage," a strategy where troops would creep forward and attack after a heavy barrage on a certain area. This tactic was the genius of 33-year old Major Alan Brooke. Technological advancements, all four divisions fighting together, and the days of preparation before hand were also key factors to Canada's victory. 3,598 deaths came of the four-day battle.
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The discussion of conscription (or drafting as it's more commonly known as) was high. There was a divide between the English-Canadians and the French-Canadians plus immigrants. While the English speakers were for conscription due to their connection to Britain, the French and immigrants couldn't care less about Britain and were against conscription. Women (who were not of colour) and immigrants who had a family member in the military were also given the right to vote.
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Known for the brutal battle and terrible weather conditions, The Battle of Passchendaele took place back in the Western Front, Ypres salient in Belgium. British, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers led failed assaults which led to the Canadian corps joining on October 26th. While Canada managed to capture the point, it ultimately did nothing for them. In total, around 16,000 Canadian casualties were born from this symbol of senseless killing.
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The Military Service Act of 1917 made it so then all men between 20-45 must provide their services to the military if they are requested to do so. This conversational act caused a rift in political parties among Canada; Sir Robert Borden's "Pro-Unionist" ideals being popular to the English-speaking people while driving those who were Francophone away (especially in Quebec.)
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Also known as the Spanish Flu, the Influenza Pandemic killed around 50,000 Canadians. The name "Spanish Flu," due to the fact that the neutral Spain did not suppress reports of mass death unlike the Allied countries. This led to people believing Influenza originated from Spain, even though the four locations that are often debated to be where the outbreak took place were: England, France, China and the United States.
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After Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies (an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce.) the First World War was over. The war ended with at least ten-million deaths worldwide-- more than 66,000 of those deaths were Canadian. Through the war, Canada was no longer just a British colony, but on it's way to becoming it's own nation.
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Prohibition was enacted around 1901 provincially. It was meant to outlaw the selling of alcohol in an attempt to "purify" the nation. This proved to be pointless and actually created more trouble as groups would bootleg their own alcohol and export it. Quebec was both a place that strongly despised it, and was the first to reject it as early as 1919. This caused a boom in tourism and large profits from alcohol as people all around North America would visit. P.E.I was the last to give up in 1948.
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The Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium marked the first Olympic ice hockey tournaments. Canada's male team won the most medals in the sport, including eight gold medals. Women's hockey would later be introduced in 1998.
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English archaeologist, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut. This caused a revival in the Western interest in Egyptian culture and history.
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All around Canada, people were celebrating the 60th Canada Day. A special three-part broadcast in what would be the first coast-to-coast broadcast as it not only broadcast all over Canada, but NBC stations in the United States, and to the BBC to be broadcast in both Britain and Europe.
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Trading was going down in the stock markets which caused panic among consumers. This led to people withdrawing and selling their shares. The panic spread all across Canada, and by the end of the day, the stock market crashed. Automobiles and produce could no longer be mass-produced. Small businesses and corporations suffered leading to many people being out of work.
