Chapter 2: Trial by fire: Canada enters world war one

What are the 4 main causes for world war 1?

Imperialism, Militarism, Alliances, and Nationalism

what is IMAN?

Imperialism, Militarism, Alliances, and Nationalism

What were the great powers? (6)

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia,

how did imperialism lead to world war 1?

industrialization caused the great powers to colonize other countries

the great powers coloie for 2 reasons:

to obtain more resources, spread their influence

How was germany doing in terms of establishing itself as an empirical power?

germany was struggling, Germany’s leaders wanted to spread its influence which resulted in conflicts with britain and france.

how did militarism lead to world war 1?

• The great powers were bulking up their military

• Military meant power and the Great Powers often glamorized their armies, navies, and their military sizes. Militarism was a constant threat to peace leading up to the WW1.

2 reasons for why the great powers were bulking up their millitary?

protect their colonies, intimidate each other

What was the arms race?

Britain, France, and Germany increased their military size in order to be on top of one another in terms of power and attempt to maintain a balance in power.

This arms race created international tension leading up to 1914.

during the arms race, britain created the…

HMS Dreadnought

how did alliances lead to world war 1?

The idea was forming alliances would reduce the threat of war but proved false as alliances pledged to protect each other. So, if one was involved in a conflict the others would automatically get involved.

triple alliance

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy

triple entente

France, Britain, and Russia

central powers

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empires, and Bulgaria

how did nationalism lead to world war 1?

The great powers paid little attention to their colonies.

So people practiced nationalism and showed great pride, devotion and patriotism to their mother country. They desired to preserve their cultural identity, language, and traditions.

who controlled bosnia

the austrian-hungarian empire but was contested by serbia

what is the Black Hand?

a nationalistic group of bosnian-serbs

→ Their goal was to unite the slavic people to form a greater Serbia. Austrian-Hungarian imperialist believed this group and ideology threatened their empire and thought it should be destroyed.

What did Austria-Hungarian empire do to demonstrate its imperialist rule?

sent the archduke, Franz Ferdinand, to Bosnia capital of Sarajevo.

who killed franz ferdinand and his wife?

the Black Hand member Gavrilo Princip

What did Germany do after Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination?

The German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, offered Austria-Hungary a blank-cheque promising to support them even if they went to war

Austria-Hungary’s Ultimatum to Serbia request 3 things:

1. Serbia must dismiss all anti-Austrian teachers, government workers, and army officials

2. Allow Austrian officials to enter Serbia to investigate the assassination

3. Serbia must cooperate with Austrian Investigators

Serbia refused the ultimatum causing…

Austria-Hungary to declare war

after Austria-Hungary declares war…

Russia mobilizes its troops to defend Serbia as apart of its promotion of Pan-Slavism

who mobilizes after russia?

germany

Why does Britain declare war?

Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium in order to attack France

• Britain declares war on Germany to protect its ally

Who was in control of foreign policy?

Despite Canada becoming a political union in 1867, Britain controlled foreign/ international policy of all its dominions.

How did Canada advertised the war?

marketed as a patriotic duty, an experience of a lifetime, and an adventure. Men who volunteered in the war believed that they would be home before Christmas.

3 reasons why people joined the war

patriotism/ duty, employment opportunity, adventure

women and the war

Women were considered too frail and emotional to participate

But women were encouraged to stay at home.

How did women join the service?

nurses and ambulance drivers on ground

How many women served during WW1?

2800 were apart of the Royal Canadian Army medical corps

Why did some indigenous people participate in the war? (2)

• some were descendants of loyalist who fought in the American Revolution and War of 1812

• a chance for employment and adventure

Who was Francis Pegahmagbow?

Francis Pegahmagabow was an indigenous soldier (runner) who fought in World War 1. He became politically active and fought for indigenous rights.

why were minorities eventually allowed to participate in the war?

At first, they did not accept indigenous, black canadians, and japanese canadians. But has the Canadian soldiers casualties rose the allowed some minorities to volunteer. Volunteers from these groups managed to overcome these racist attitudes, some were even promoted.

What is the No.2 Construction Battalion

• the largest black unit formed in Canadian.

• repaired the damage caused by the war

• retrieved the wounded

when was the No.2 construction battalion authorised?

July 5, 1916

Who is William White?

William White was the Chaplain captain → the only black officer in the no.2 construction battalion

How did the war unite Canada?

War time allowed men from all over the country to come together and develop a Canadian identity.

What is the CEF?

Despite being integrated into the larger experienced British units the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) maintained its independence.

How did Canada raise money for the war effort?

borrowed money from Britain and the United States

who was in charge of the Shell Committee?

Sam Hughes

Due to poor administration of production of artillery shells…

the market was flooded with war profiteering, inefficient and defective products

What were the impacts of the poor quality shells?

they would explode before being fired killing gun crews

What is the War Measures Act?

The War Measures Act gave the government full authority to do everything necessary for the security, defence, peace, and welfare of Canada. This is the first time the federal government could directly intervene with the economy to control transportation, manufacturing, trade, and agricultural production.

→ It gave them the power to limit the freedom of Canadians. (kind of like the covid days)

What does Suspension of Habeas Corpus mean?

This meant that the police could detain anyone without laying charges and being brought in front of a judge. Anyone suspected of being an alien enemy or threat to the government could be imprisoned, deported, or both.

How were German and Austrian-Hungarian Immigrants discriminated?

Immigrants from Germany and Austria-hungary were treated harshly under this act. They also faced prejudice leading to attacks to their businesses.

They had to carry special identification cards and report regularly to a registration officer.

What caused trench warfare?

the schlieffen plan

What is the Schlieffen Plan?

The Germans developed the Schlieffen Plan years before the war began. It was a bold, fast-paced, and unrealistic strategy for a 2 front war.

What was the IDEA behind the schlieffen Plan

• Invade Belgium to capture Paris, France within a few weeks

• Then, Germany would focus on Russia

The Schlieffen plan relied on 2 critical assumption:

• Russia would take time to mobilize

• Britain would remain neutral

What was the REALITY of the schlieffen Plan?

While in pursuit of the plan, German leaders made that changes that weakened the original plan:

• pulled troops from the west to reinforce the east

• after invading Belgium German soldiers were exhausted by the pace of their attack

The Triple Entente were able to catch up and stop the German’s advances at the battle of Marne, 1914. This made a victory for Germany impossible.

How far were the trenches?

The German army dug a defense line into the trenches along the river Somme and into Belgium. England and France created their own system to counter this.

These trenches stretched from the English channel to the Swiss border. In between the enemy trenches lies no man’s land.

life in the trenches (3)

• the cold whether in the winter (it often flooded in the heavy rains)

• rats lived in trenches

• poor sanitation lead to the spread of diseases

Soldiers clothes were infested with lice and many men developed trench foot a painful infection that cause feet to swell and turn black.

how did massive artillery change war?

The usage of machine guns completely changed the war and challenged leaders to think of new strategies.

when ordered “over the top” soldiers were slaughtered and mowed by machine guns, weapons that stunted advancement on both sides.

How did soldiers combat chemical warfare?

The early methods of combating this was to use rags soaked in water or urine. Later, soldiers used a simple cloth or chemical soaked hood which were tied to helmets. Finally, anti-gas respirators or gas masks made poison gas less effective.

What was it like being a pilot?

It was dangerous being a pilot at that time since airplanes were still a new invention. Thousands of air crew and pilots were killed in training due to mechanical failure

What were biplanes first used for?

At the start of the war, pilots flew biplanes for aerial reconnaissance, photography, and pinpoint enemies location.

With the addition of machine guns and bombs attached to airplanes…

Enemies would fight in the sky resulting in aerial dogfights despite the rapid improvement, aircrafts still did not have parachutes.

How did one become an ace?

after he shot down 5 enemy aircrafts

Who is a famous Canadian ace?

Despite not having its on air force, Canada produced numerous of aces such as William Avery 'Billy' Bishop

how did tanks change war?

They were used to protect soldiers as they advanced across the battlefield. They were first used in the battle of Somme by the Allies to break through German lines. By 1918 the trench system became obsolete.

how did submarines change war?

At the time, Germany was ahead when it came to submarines. Their U-boats (unterseeboot or under sea boat) were undetectable (once submerged in water) boats armed with torpedoes which were used to sink enemy ships. Germany attempted to starve Britain by attacking merchant and supply ships.

→ The development of convoy (armed forces travelling with ships) system to protect ships and listening devices that allowed the Allies to locate and destroy the German U-boats.

What is the Naval Service Act?

• 1910, Wilfrid laurier introduced the Naval Service Act which authorized the building of Canadian war ships.

• The ships were under Canada’s control but would be handed to Britain if war broke out.

When does Germany declare unrestricted submarine warfare around Britain?

February 4th, 1915

What happened with the Lusitania?

In 1915, a German U-boat sank the Lusitania, a British passenger liner, and killed 1200 Canadian and American passengers. This was one of the main reasons the United States got involved by joining the Allies on April 2, 1917.

What are the 5 Major Canadian Battles During WW1?

the Second Battle of Ypres, Battle of Somme, Battle of Vimy Ridge, Battle of Passchendaele, and “100 days Campaign”

The Second Battle of Ypres

• one of the bloodiest battles of World War 1

• the city was flat by German Shell fire

• On April 22nd, 1915 toxic chlorine gas was released killing many soldiers. This tactic had been outlawed by international agreement since 1907.

When did Germany release toxic chlorine gas?

April 22nd, 1915

The Battle of The Somme

In July 1916, the Triple Entente launched a massive attack against a line of German trenches. They ordered soldiers to go over the top and charge into no man’s land.

This old tactic was no use against the German machine guns. The battle lasted 5 months and the Allies only captured 13 kilometres of the land. Both sides suffered great casualties with 1.25 million men lost during this battle and many soldiers were shaken by the event.

Why did the triples entent’s attack fail during the battle of somme? (3)

• days before the attack the triple entente shelled german lines but the shells did not destroy the germans defences or barbed wire

• generals ordered troops to march across no man’s land, and men were shot down by German machine guns

• continuing to attack despite a bunch of casualties

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is Canada’s most celebrated and one of the most successful offences of World War 1. Prior to Canada’s attack, France and Britain attempted to capture Vimy Ridge but failed.

Who led the battle of vimy ridge attack?

Arthur Currie and Andrew McNaught as well as British General Julian Byng

When was the attack of vimy ridge initiated?

9th, 1917, Easter Monday

Why was vimy ridge important?

Obtaining Vimy Ridge was very important since now the Allies have a clear view of the countryside (an observation point), supply routes, and enemy positions.

How did the battle at vimy ridge further distinguish the Canadian identity?

• patrayed Canadians as brave and diligent fighters

  It was also a national effort from the battle ground to the manufactories at home creating their resources. This united Canada as a nation that was in fighting together. Despite the risk of the tactic, There were still casualties but they were significantly lower than the former offences.

The Battle of Passchendaele

The now Canadian general Arthur Currie took orders from field marshal Sir Douglas Haig. On October 1917, Haig ordered Currie and the Canadian Expeditionary Force to break through German lines and retake the town Passchendaele. Currie expressed that the casualties would be high but Haig overruled him.

What made the battle of passhendaele difficult?

Canadians charged into the battle but the rain made it immensely difficult. Soldiers would get stuck in mud which slowed down their movements. At the end, the Canadians captured the town but it resulted in more than 200,000 casualties on both sides.

→ However, in 1918 the Germans recaptured Passchendaele.

Who was Sam Hughes’ Shell Committee replaced with?

more efficient Imperial Munition Board

How was the economy during the war?

The demand for Canadian good helped the economy boom during the war.

What are 4 initiatives the government launched to support the war?

To cover the cost, Canada launched 4 initiatives:

1. Victory Bonds

   Urged Canadians to buy Victory Bonds, which they could cash in for profit at the end of the war.

2. Honour Rationing

   To combat shortages in Canada, Canadians used less butter and sugar. The government introduced “Meatless Friday” and “Fuel-less Sunday” to conserve supplies

3. Income Tax

   In 1917, the government introduced income tax, a tax on someone’s income. People had to pay tax between 1 and 15% of their income.

4. Corporate Tax

   Corporate tax was also introduced, charging businesses 4% of their revenues.

   → Many Canadians thought this was too low considering the profits companies made during the war.

How was propaganda used during the war?

Propaganda used social pressure to encourage men to join the army (many were volunteers).

What was the rape of Belgium?

refugees who escaped to England told horrible stories about the invasion. Writers of these stories over exaggerated the stories and portrayed German troops as barbarians with the intent of destroying the civilized world.

• Stories included atrocities such as mass murder, rape, mutilation and arson

This propaganda riled people up in Canada and Britain pushing more men to volunteer.

What were women hired for?

During the War, women were hired for all types of work because of the increase in industrial production which demand for labour. Women were hired for operating boats, working on farms, and fishing.

other than voting, how else did women face inequalities?

There work was valued but not accepted. They earned about 50% of the value of a man’s wage some feared their cheap labour would undercut the earnings of men after the war.

What is the first province to give women the right to vote?

Manitoba, January 1916

later on: → Alberta and Saskatchewan gained the vote in 1916. Ontario and British Columbia followed in 1917.

When did women win the right to federal vote and who was not included?

In 1918, women were granted the right to vote in federal elections, with the exception of indigenous and immigrant women.

the halifax explosion

On December 6, 1917, the SS Mont Blanc, a French munition vessel carrying 2500 explosives accidentally collided with another ship. The accident caused a massive explosion so powerful it levelled much of the city. More than 2000 people were killed, another 9000 were injured, and thousands were left homeless.

Military Service Act

Due to this shortage of manpower in the Canadian forces, Prime Minister Borden introduces the Military Service Act which permitted conscription.

In 1917, who was exempted from conscription?

The Military Service Act exempted:

• disabled people

• clergy (religious officials)

• people employed in essential or special jobs

• and conscientious objectors (people who are against war for religious or moral reasons)

French Canadians POV on conscription

The French Canadian’s POV on the Military Service Act:

• Saw Military Service Act they as a means of forcing them to fight in a war they did not care about

• Many French Canadians were farmers so they felt like they were already contributing by harvesting food for the soldiers in Europe.

• When Francophone men did volunteer, there was little effort to keep them together and few officers spoke french which made them feel like second-class citizens

• Strained relationship because French language rights have been lost in provincies outside of Quebec

who is henri bourassa, what did he believe?

a quebec nationalist, believed that conscription would divide the nation by aggravating the tension between French and English speaking Canadians.

How many farmers participated in the war?

By the end of World War 1, only 1/6 of the Canadian Expedition Forces were farmers

→ At first the Military Service Act exempted farmers from working the military. But as casualties rose he cancelled the exemption in 1918 igniting protest across the Canada.

what is SOS?

Soldiers of The Soil (SOS), created by the Canadian Food Board, encouraged young men to take part in farm service. In exchange for their farming, they received money and high school students were exempt from all classes and final exams. After completing their agricultural duty they were “honourably discharged” and received an SOS badge of acknowledgement.

what is The Farm Service Corps?

The Farm service Corps was, an initiative by the Ontario government, aimed primarily at women. The “farmettes” picked fruit in the Niagara Region.

Why did Borden passed the Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act?

to ensure he would win the next election

Military voters act

The Military Voters Act allowed men and women serving overseas to vote.

Wartime election act

The Wartime Elections Act gave all Canadian women related to servicemen the vote. It excluded women related to conscientious objectors and immigrants who had come from enemy countries in the last 15 years.

the 1917 election is known as…and why?

The 1917 election is known as the Khaki Election because of these attempts to obtain the support of people serving during the war.

Why did laurier lose support?

Outside of Quebec the Liberals lost a lot of support due to Laurier’s position on conscription.

Borden formed a…

union government

Before the election, Borden was able to sway some liberals and independents who supported conscription forming a union government which governed from 1917-1920. Outside of Quebec the Liberals lost a lot of support due to Laurier’s position on conscription.