Gr.10 History: Canada and World War One

M.A.I.N (Background & Long-term causes of WWI)

Militarism - government's preference to invest heavily in its military, or to follow and celebrate the principles of military life or policy.

Alliances - agreement of countries to assist the allied country when needed.

Imperialism - ideology that nations have the right and duty to expand their territorial possessions by colonizing other areas whether by peaceful or by violent means.

Nationalism - patriotic feelings or efforts; ideology that a citizen should not only support the nation as a true patriot but also recognize that the nation is the greatest manifestation of a people’s identity.

The Black Hand

A secret Serbian nationalist terrorist group formed in 1911, that played a key role in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand (short-term cause of war)

28 June 1914 Archduke of Austria Hungary, Franz Ferdinand and his wife visited the capital of Bosnia where Gavrillo Princip assassinated him by shooting him in the chest.

What alliances were formed before World War I?

The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)

The Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia)

Robert Borden

• 8th Prime Minister of Canada during 1911-1920 (WW1) 

• Advocated for Canada's autonomy and control over foreign policy and relations. 

• His tenure was marked by controversies such as conscription and the Wartime Elections Act

What was trench warfare?

Involved opposing armies digging networks of trenches, creating a static front line. Conditions within these trenches were horrific.

Trench Warfare terms (Over the top, Trench foot, No man's land, Artillery shells, Shellshock)

Over the top - Soldiers running out of trenches to attack

Trench foot - Foot condition when your feet are in a cold damp state

No man's land - Land between enemy trenches

Artillery shells - Massive bombs shot out of guns 

Shellshock - PTSD from war

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

A German military strategy aimed at quickly defeating France by attacking through Belgium before focusing on Russia.

Why was WWI called the “War to End All Wars” and the “Great War”

the belief that its devastation would deter future conflicts, and "The Great War" because of its immense impact on the world.

What were the factors that contributed to how WWI was fought?

Factors such as advanced weaponry, entrenched positions, and strategic stalemates contributed.

How did WWI shape and change Canada economically, militarily, politically & socially?

Economically - it boosted industrial production; militarily, it established a distinct Canadian identity

politically - it led to greater autonomy

socially - it caused divisions over conscription and altered the role of women.

How did Canada grow as a nation during WWI?

Asserted its independence and developed a stronger national identity through war efforts.

(representation at the Imperial War Conference in 1917, independent participation at the Paris Peace Conference, and signing the treaty of Versailles)

How did English - French relations change during WWI? Why?

• Relations worsened due to the conscription crisis, which divided the country along linguistic and cultural lines

• French Canadians largely opposed mandatory military service.

Why did the end of the war and peace treaty contribute to the Second World War?

The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany, created resentment and instability that contributed to World War II.

Battle of Ypres (April 22–May 25, 1915)

• The first large-scale use of poison gas by the Germans. 

• Canadian troops played a crucial role in holding the line. Canadian soldiers gained a reputation for their resilience under extreme duress.

• The battle resulted in heavy casualties, but the Allied line held. Over 6000 men died.

Battle of Somme & Beaumont Hamel (1 July – 18 November 1916)

• The Canadian corps fought as part of the British forces under command of British General Haig. 

• Immense casualties (more than 650,000)

• Resulted in limited territorial gains at an enormous human cost.

• Canadian forces participated in fighting, and the Newfoundland Regiment suffered near-total annihilation.

Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917)

• Canadian victory, achieved through Canadian General Arthur Currie’s meticulous planning and tactics.

• Resulted in a remarkable victory: the capture of Vimy Ridge, a strategically important position.

• Became a symbol of Canadian achievement and pride, fostering a sense of national identity.

Battle of Passchendaele (July 31 to November 6, 1917)

• Battle characterized by horrific conditions, with soldiers fighting in deep mud and relentless rain.

• Resulted in allied victory, but at an extremely high cost in lives.

• Canadian forces played a decisive role in the final push to capture Passchendaele.

War in the Air

• Canada became a significant source of pilots for the British Air Force.

• Primarily used for reconnaissance.

• Extremely dangerous, with high casualty rates and short pilot lifespans.  

• Evolved from basic reconnaissance to intense "dogfights."

• Despite the risks, the allure of aerial combat attracted many young men.

Billy Bishop

Canada's top flying ace of the First World War

Development of planes

• Initially, airplanes were dismissed as ineffective military tools. Their potential as weapons was largely underestimated by military leaders.

• Technological improvements, such as synchronized machine guns, transformed aerial combat.

• The planes themselves were very dangerous, and prone to mechanical failure.

• The war spurred rapid innovation in aircraft design and technology.

War at Sea / Battle of Atlantic

• Canada's navy expanded, Canadians built anti-submarine ships, participated in convoys and patrolled for U-boats.

• Many Canadians served in the British Royal Navy.

• Submarines and torpedoes were developed.

• Hydrophones (listening equipment) and depth charges were developed.

• Machine guns were perfected and became a major cause of casualties on land.

• U-boat attacks contributed to the United States entering the war.

U-boats

German U-boats (submarines) targeted Allied merchant ships and warships. German U-boats would sink any Allied or neutral ship approaching Britain.

Convoys

The British Royal Navy introduced the convoy system in May 1917, grouping merchant ships with naval escorts to protect vital supplies and troops crossing the Atlantic.

War on Homefront

Home front efforts were vital in WWI. They fueled the war with resources, labor, and morale, impacting everything from production and supply lines to public support.

Halifax Explosion

December 6, 1917 two ships collided, one of them loaded with explosives. One of the largest human-made explosions prior to the detonation of the first atomic bombs. Nearly 2,000 people died, another 9,000 were injured, and more than 25,000 were left without adequate shelter.

Total War

By 1942, Canada was committed to a policy of “total war.” As in total war meant that all industries, materials, and people were put to work for the war effort. The war affected everyone in Canada.

Victory Bonds

Debt securities issued by governments to finance military operations and wartime expenditures, essentially loans from the public to the government.

Propaganda

Spreading of ideas and beliefs to control people’s thoughts and feelings. Governments produced propaganda as a way to target the public and alter their opinion.

Tricks of Propaganda

1. Name Calling  - hanging a bad label on an idea

2. Card Stacking - using media to favorably show one side or an issue or an argument, while simultaneously downplaying the other side

3. Bandwagon - encourages people to join a cause or adopt a belief because "everyone else" is doing it, appealing to the desire to be part of a popular or winning group.

4. Testimonial - endorsements or statements from well-known individuals to persuade others about a product, service, or idea

5. Plain Folks - convince the audience that the spokesperson is from humble origins, someone they can trust and who has their interests at heart.

6. Transfer - associates a product, idea, or person with something respected or revered to gain approval or legitimacy.

7. Glittering Generality - emotionally appealing phrase so closely associated with highly-valued concepts and beliefs that it carries conviction

Enemy Aliens

People feared German, Austro-Hungarian immigrants or recent immigrants would become spies. Government used the War Measures Act to restrict their rights.

Internment

Canada interned "enemy aliens" in internment camps, mainly targeting immigrants from Austro-Hungarian, German, and Ottoman empires, under the War Measures Act.

War Measures Act

Adopted by Robert Borden and enacted in 1914, granted the Canadian government powers during times of "war, invasion, and insurrection, real or apprehended," to suspend civil liberties and bypass Parliament.

Wartime Elections Act

Adopted by Robert Borden in 1917. He gave the right to vote to female relatives of Canadian soldiers serving in the First World War but immigrants had their votes taken.

Conscription

Adopted by Robert Borden, the mandatory military service in which the government legally required citizens to join the army, as opposed to relying solely on volunteers.

3 main groups oppose conscription: French Canadians, Farmers, Immigrants from “enemy” countries

Women in War

Many women took up traditionally men’s jobs to help keep the economy going and to support the war effort: Factory work, Munitions work and Farming. Women also worked as nurses.

Rationing

• All necessary resources were directed toward the war effort.

• Ration cards were needed to buy certain items.

• Means that the government limited the amount a person could buy

• Meant to ensure that everyone got a fair share of scarce goods.

Suffragists

The campaign and eventual achievement of women's right to vote, a cause that gained significant momentum and led to the enfranchisement of women in many countries

*Nellie McClung, Alice Jamieson, and Emily Murphy

Wartime Economy

The war pulled Canada out of a pre-existing recession, stimulating industrial production and creating numerous jobs. This surge in activity also placed strain on resources.

Last Hundred Days

In 1918 Germany decided to launch an offensive on the Western Front before the United States army could arrive in Europe. An allied effort including Canada, and the United States swept north and east toward Germany. On 11 November 1918, Germany formally surrendered.

*Tanks were now better armed and more reliable, aircrafts used new tactics.

Armistice / Ceasefire

The Armistice was the ceasefire ending hostilities between the Allies and Germany on 11 November 1918. Stopped fighting on the Western Front while the terms of the permanent peace were discussed.

Treaty of Versailles

Signed June 28, 1919, by the Allied and associated powers and Germany in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. The treaty placed full blame on Germany. Ended the state of war between Germany and most of the Allied Powers.

Big Three

Main decisions for the Treaty of Versailles were made by the leaders of three countries—Britain, France, and the United States. These countries were referred to as “The Big Three.”

League of Nations

The American president Woodrow Wilson suggested that a League of Nations be set up to settle future disputes. The League of Nations would be an organization promoting international cooperation.