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Canadian Army Enlistment -1
In 1914, the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne was killed by a Serbian. Austria-Hungary sent peace terms to Serbia in response to the murder of the high ranking man. Serbia declined and Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Serbia and Austria-Hungary called on their allies for help. Just like that, alliances were made and World War 1 started. At the start of the war, Canada was only recruiting soldiers with pale skin and of British descent which made it harder for other people to enlist. -
"Enemy Aliens" in Canada -2
Since the start of the first World War, Canadian civilians would hate a person who immigrated to Canada from a nation that Canada is at war with. These people are referred to as “Enemy Aliens”. They would be treated worse than any demographic in Canada. Their homes were vandalized, their business would be boycotted and much more. -
Formation of Alliances -2
In 1914, due to the assassination of the heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, Austria-Hungary sent terms for Serbia to accept due to the assassin being Serbian. Serbia refused the terms and Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Serbia and Austria-Hungary needed help and they called in their allies. Just like that, alliances were made and World War 1 started. The war did not just affect the countries in the alliances, but countries outside of it too. -
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae +1
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was a soldier taking part in the 2nd battle of Ypres. It took place in 1915 in Belgium against the Germans. This was Canada’s first major battle of World War 1. During the battle, the Germans killed/wounded ⅔ of 1800 Canadian forces and used Chlorine gas against them. The sight was horrific and disturbing to the soldier. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae survived the attack and later wrote the famous poem that shaped Canada’s history and values: In Flanders Fields. -
The Somme -2
The battle of The Somme took place in France, 1916. Around 60,000 British soldiers lost their lives in a single day and almost the whole Royal Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out. The Canadians were called in to try and take the land from the Germans. The battle ended with the Entente as victors and gaining 8km of land from the front line. The battle had over 1 million casualties including 24,000 dead and wounded Canadians. -
Halifax Explosion -2
During World War 1, Canada had been in debt because of the wars that it fought. To compensate for this, Canada needed a good source of income that would boost its economy. Thus, the most vital shipping port for Canada was formed in Halifax. It shipped out goods, military supplies and even soldiers. On December 6, 1917, two ships collided on the port with one armed with explosives and the other empty. Around 2000 people died, 9000 left wounded or blinded and 25,000 left without a home. -
War Elections Act +1
As a result of a lot of men dying during World War 1, the Prime Minister of Canada had to do something to keep sending soldiers to the front lines. Thus he thought about conscription. The only way the Prime Minister could introduce conscription is by receiving votes. Therefore, the Prime Minister passed the Wartimes Elections act: the law states that women who have relatives fighting in the war are given the right to vote. Once the law passed, he gained enough votes to introduce conscription. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge +2
The battle took place in 1917 in France where the Canadians were deployed at Vimy Ridge to capture the land occupied and defended by the Germans. The Canadians knew the terrain and had practiced their plan many times. The Canadians captured most of the land in less than a day. All that was left was a high hill named The Pimple which the Canadians captured in three more days. This was one of the greatest feats in Canadian history and made all Canadians extremely proud of their country. -
Technological Advancements of Canada in WW1 +2
In 1914, Canada was called to war by Britain. Canada needed to be up to date in their technological advancements so they wouldn’t be so easily crushed. In 1914, Canada had one munitions factory and by the end of the war, Canada had over 600 factories. Also, the most famous airplane flyer was Billy Bishop. He was a Canadian man who scored 72 flying aces in his career. This shows how much training the Canadian army gave to their soldiers. -
Treaty of Versailles +1
In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles took place which was the U.S, Italy, France and England deciding that 4 major restrictions should be put on Germany. These restrictions are; Germany can have a maximum of 100,000 soldiers. Germany loses the land that it gained during the war. Germany must pay 33$ billion in reparation fees. Germany must sign the War Guilt Clause (taking responsibility for the war). During the meeting, Prime Minister Borden demanded that Canada should be an independent nation.