History

Militarism

Nations building up their militaries, heightening tensions and making war more likely.

Alliances

Political and military agreements between countries, like the Triple Entente and Triple Alliance, which could escalate conflicts.

Imperialism

Competition among European nations for colonies and global dominance, creating rivalries.

Nationalism

Pride in one’s nation or ethnicity, often leading to tensions, especially in multi-ethnic empires.

Trigger Event of WWI

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in 1914.

Ypres (1915)

The first large-scale poison gas attack faced by Canadian soldiers, marking their bravery.

Vimy Ridge (1917)

A critical Canadian victory using innovative tactics, seen as the ‘birth of Canadian national pride.’

Passchendaele (1917)

A costly Canadian victory that symbolized the horrors of trench warfare.

Conscription Crisis (1917)

The Military Service Act that forced enlistment, causing tensions particularly in Quebec.

Women’s Role in WWI

Women took on jobs traditionally held by men, advancing the women's suffrage movement.

Treaty of Versailles

The treaty that ended WWI, imposing harsh penalties on Germany.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany's strategy to avoid a two-front war by defeating France quickly before turning to Russia.

Great Depression

An economic downturn from 1929 to 1939 characterized by mass unemployment and poverty.

Prohibition

The ban on alcohol during the 1920s, leading to bootlegging and organized crime.

Winnipeg General Strike (1919)

A major labor strike that highlighted tensions between workers and businesses.

Holocaust

The genocide of six million Jews during WWII, influencing Canada’s post-war immigration policies.

Nuremberg Trials

Trials of Nazi leaders for war crimes, establishing accountability for atrocities.

Korean War

A conflict (1950-1953) where Canada contributed troops, highlighting its role in UN peacekeeping.

Berlin Wall (1961)

A barrier dividing East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War division.

Sputnik 1

The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the start of the Space Race.

Oka Crisis

A 78-day standoff over land rights between the Mohawk people and the Canadian government.

Sixties Scoop

The widespread removal of Indigenous children from their families in Canada, causing generational trauma.

Meech Lake Accord (1987)

A failed attempt to recognize Quebec as a distinct society within Canada’s constitution.

Charlottetown Accord (1992)

A rejected proposal for constitutional reform including Indigenous self-government.