history

Vimy Ridge

A major WWI battle fought in France, where all four Canadian divisions fought together.

Creeping Barrage

A tactic used at Vimy Ridge moving artillery ahead of troops to protect their advance.

Armistice

The official end of World War I on November 11, 1918.

Great Depression

An economic downturn from 1929 to 1939 marked by massive unemployment and poverty.

Conscription Crisis of 1917

A conflict arising from Prime Minister Borden's introduction of forced military service, especially opposed by French Canadians.

Bennett Buggies

Horses pulling cars with removed engines during the Great Depression, symbolizing poverty and survival.

Boom and Bust Cycle

Economic fluctuations characterized by periods of prosperity (boom) followed by downturns (bust).

Person's Case (1929)

A landmark case recognizing women as 'persons' under the law, allowing them to be appointed to the Senate.

Prohibition (1918-1920 in Canada)

The ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, aimed at reducing crime and helping veterans.

World War II

A global conflict from 1939 to 1945 in which Canada played a significant role as part of the Allies.

Axis Powers

The military alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Allied Powers

The coalition of Canada, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States during WWII.

Battle of Stalingrad

A brutal WWII battle considered the turning point on the Eastern Front.

Luftwaffe

The air force of Nazi Germany, key in the Blitz, and defeated in the Battle of Britain.

Atomic Bombings

The dropping of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the USA in August 1945, causing Japan's surrender.

Pearl Harbor

The surprise attack by Japan on the US naval base on December 7, 1941, leading to the USA's entry into WWII.

Cold War

A geopolitical and ideological struggle between the United States and the USSR from 1945 to 1990.

Igor Gouzenko

A Soviet defector whose actions exposed a Soviet spy ring in Canada and marked the beginning of the Cold War in North America.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established in 1949 for collective defense against Soviet aggression.

NORAD

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, created in 1958 to monitor and defend against Soviet attacks.

Space Race

The competition between the U.S. and USSR to achieve superior space capabilities during the Cold War.

Korean War

The first major armed conflict of the Cold War, where Canada contributed troops as part of the UN force.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the USA and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war.

Wampum Belts

Beaded records used by Indigenous peoples to represent agreements, laws, and treaties.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system where Canada’s head of state is the monarch, with powers limited by the Constitution.

Parliamentary Democracy

A democratic system in Canada where representatives are elected to make decisions and the Prime Minister leads the government.

Minority Government

When a ruling party has the most seats but not a majority in Parliament, relying on other parties for support.

How Laws Are Made

A process involving introduction, readings, committee stage, report stage, third reading, and royal assent to pass a bill in Canada.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making and passing laws, consisting of the House of Commons, Senate, and the Monarch.