20th Century Canadian History: Wars, Social Change, and Globalization
Canada and the British Empire
Canada, as a dominion of the British Empire, had a significant relationship with Britain, influencing its foreign policies, military contributions, and cultural ties. This connection was crucial during the World Wars when Canada supported British efforts and developed its national identity. The Statute of Westminster (1931) granted Canada legislative independence.
Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means. For Canada, imperialism meant alignment with British interests and participation in global conflicts like World War I and the Boer War as part of the British Empire.
World War I
Triple Entente
The Triple Entente was an alliance formed before WWI between France, Russia, and the United Kingdom to counterbalance the Triple Alliance.
Triple Alliance
The Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, existed before WWI. This alliance system contributed to the outbreak of the war, pulling various nations, including Canada, into the conflict.
Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in 1914, triggering WWI. The event set off a chain reaction among the alliance systems, leading Canada into the war due to its ties with Britain. Gavrilo Princip was responsible for the assassination.
Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop was a Canadian flying ace in WWI, credited with 72 victories.
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes served as the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence during WWI. Known for his controversial leadership and the promotion of the Ross Rifle, his tenure impacted Canada’s military organization and wartime production.
Ypres
Ypres was the site of a series of battles in WWI. The Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 marked the first major use of chemical weapons, introduced by Germany. Canadian troops distinguished themselves here, enduring and holding their positions under gas attack.
Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought in April 1917, was a defining battle for Canada in WWI. The Canadian Corps’ successful ridge capture is pivotal in Canadian military history and national identity.
The Somme Offensive
The Somme Offensive, a major WWI battle in 1916, involved heavy casualties. It exemplified the brutal nature of trench warfare.
Victory Bonds
Victory Bonds were government-issued bonds sold to Canadians to finance military operations during WWI and WWII. They provided a patriotic way for Canadians to support the war effort financially.
Conscription
Conscription, the mandatory enlistment for military service, caused significant crises in Canada during both World Wars. It led to political and social tensions, particularly in Quebec, highlighting the political division between English and French Canadians.
The Interwar Period
The Group of Seven
The Group of Seven, a group of Canadian landscape painters in the 1920s, were known for depicting the Canadian wilderness.
Trade Unions
Trade unions are organizations formed by workers to protect their rights and interests. The growth of unions in Canada was significant in the early 20th century, leading to improved working conditions and labor laws. The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 contributed to the rise of labor movements.
Prohibition
Prohibition, the legal ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, varied by province in Canada. It led to social changes and the rise of bootlegging.
The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties, a period of economic prosperity and cultural change in the 1920s, saw significant social and economic developments, including urbanization and technological advancements. It was followed by the Great Depression.
Buying on Margin
Buying on margin, the practice of purchasing stocks with borrowed money, contributed to the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression.
Black Tuesday
Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, marked the day the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression.
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, the 1919 peace treaty that ended WWI, imposed heavy reparations on Germany and redrew national boundaries. This led to political and economic instability, indirectly affecting Canada.
The Great Depression
The Great Depression, a global economic downturn in the 1930s, severely affected Canada. It resulted in high unemployment, widespread poverty, and significant social unrest.
The League of Nations
The League of Nations, an international organization founded after WWI to promote peace and cooperation, included Canada as a member. However, the League’s inability to prevent WWII showed its limitations.
World War II
The Allies
The Allies in WWII consisted of France, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and the Soviet Union.
The Axis
The Axis powers, an alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII, initiated global conflict, drawing in Canada and other Allied nations.
The Sudetenland
The Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population, was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. This event was part of the appeasement policies leading to WWII.
Globalization
Globalization is the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, failed due to the harsh winter, extended supply lines, and fierce Soviet resistance. It marked a turning point in WWII.
The Maginot Line
The Maginot Line, a line of defensive fortifications built by France along its border with Germany, was circumvented by the German invasion through Belgium in 1940, leading to France’s rapid defeat.
Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, a German military tactic of rapid, overwhelming attacks using combined forces, was effective in the early stages of WWII but less so as the war progressed.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The surprise Japanese attack on the US naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, led to the US entering WWII, significantly impacting the war’s outcome.
The Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws, racist and antisemitic laws implemented in Nazi Germany in 1935, stripped Jews of citizenship and rights, laying the groundwork for the Holocaust.
Wartime Measures Act
The Wartime Measures Act, a Canadian law granting the government emergency powers during wartime, was used during both World Wars to control resources and maintain security, including the internment of Japanese Canadians.
The Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong, a WWII battle in December 1941, saw Canadian forces defending Hong Kong against Japanese invasion. The battle ended in defeat and significant casualties for the Canadians.
Lend-Lease Agreement
The Lend-Lease Agreement, a US program during WWII, provided allies, including Canada, with military aid. This support was crucial for the Allied war effort.
Hyperinflation in Germany
Hyperinflation in Germany during the early 1920s, partly due to reparations from the Treaty of Versailles, destabilized the economy and contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party.
Tariff
A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods, often used to protect domestic industries but can also reduce international trade.
UN Mission in Rwanda
The United Nations peacekeeping mission during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 was led by Canadian General Roméo Dallaire.
David Suzuki During WWII
David Suzuki, a prominent Canadian environmentalist and broadcaster, was interned in a Japanese-Canadian internment camp as a child during WWII.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union during WWII and the early Cold War, played a significant role in the Allied victory.
Canadian Invasion of Italy
Canadian forces participated in the Allied invasion of Italy from 1943 to 1945, engaging in key battles like Ortona.
Communism
Communism, a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society and common ownership of resources, led to the Cold War between the communist Soviet Union and Western democracies, including Canada, shaping much of the 20th century.
Isolationism
Isolationism is a policy of remaining apart from the political affairs of other countries. Canada initially held an isolationist stance.
The Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan, Germany’s WWI military strategy, aimed to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium and then turning east to fight Russia. Its failure led to prolonged and static trench warfare. It was an attempt to avoid a two-front war.
The St. Louis
The St. Louis, a German ship carrying Jewish refugees in 1939, was denied entry to Cuba, the US, and Canada, forcing it to return to Europe.
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, the 1940 German air campaign against the UK, saw significant contributions from Canadian pilots.
The Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid, a 1942 Allied raid on the French port of Dieppe, involved many Canadian troops. The raid’s failure provided crucial lessons for future amphibious operations, including D-Day.
The Atomic Bomb and Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by the US in 1945, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII. This event demonstrated the devastating power of nuclear weapons and influenced global military strategies. Hiroshima was chosen to set an example.
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during WWII, known for his leadership and speeches, had a vital relationship with Canada.
Frederick Banting
Frederick Banting, a Canadian medical scientist, co-discovered insulin, revolutionizing diabetes treatment.
On-to-Ottawa Trek
The On-to-Ottawa Trek, a 1935 protest by unemployed Canadian workers during the Great Depression, culminated in a confrontation in Regina, demanding government intervention.
The BCATP and Windsor
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), based in Canada, trained aircrew for Allied forces during WWII. Windsor, Ontario, was one of the key training locations.
Residential Schools
Residential schools were institutions established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, causing long-term cultural and psychological damage and exemplifying systemic racism.
D-Day and Juno Beach
D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, saw Canadian forces landing on Juno Beach. It was a turning point in WWII.
The Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials, post-WWII military tribunals, prosecuted prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes. The trials established important legal precedents for international law.
Women’s Roles in War
During WWI and WWII, women took on roles in the workforce, military, and volunteer organizations, significantly contributing to the war effort and advancing women’s rights.
Nellie McClung
Nellie McClung, a Canadian suffragist, politician, and social activist, played a key role in the women’s suffrage movement, leading to women gaining the right to vote in Canada.
The Famous Five
The Famous Five, a group of Canadian women, including Nellie McClung, fought for women’s rights and were instrumental in the “Persons Case” of 1929, which recognized women as persons under Canadian law.
Grace Macpherson
Grace Macpherson is a notable figure in Canadian history for her contributions to women’s rights and social reform, particularly as an ambulance driver.
Edith Cavell
Edith Cavell, a British nurse executed by the Germans during WWI for helping Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium, became a symbol of heroism and martyrdom.
Adolf Eichmann
Adolf Eichmann, a high-ranking Nazi official and one of the major organizers of the Holocaust, was captured by Israeli agents in 1960 and tried and executed for war crimes.
Oskar Schindler
Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist, saved over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. His actions were later depicted in the film “Schindler’s List.”
Post-War Canada
The War in Afghanistan
Canada participated in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, focusing on combat operations, reconstruction, and training Afghan security forces.
NATO
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military alliance formed in 1949 for mutual defense against aggression, includes Canada as a founding member, contributing to various international missions.
Part B: Paragraph Answers
1. Propaganda
Propaganda, biased or misleading information used to promote a political cause or point of view, was employed by the Canadian government during both World Wars. It encouraged enlistment, promoted war bonds, maintained public morale, and demonized the enemy through posters, campaigns, and media manipulation.
2. Ethnic/Racial/Cultural Discrimination
The internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII and the operation of residential schools for Indigenous children are two examples of discrimination by the Canadian government. These actions reflect prejudice and systemic racism, causing long-term damage and highlighting the need for reconciliation and social justice.
4. Role of Women in Canada
The role of women in Canada transformed significantly over the 20th century. Gaining the right to vote, contributing during the World Wars, and participating in feminist movements led to increased employment opportunities and advancements in gender equality.
5. Canadian Contributions in WWI and WWII
Canada demonstrated its military capabilities and bravery in both World Wars. From Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele in WWI to the Dieppe Raid and D-Day in WWII, Canadian forces played crucial roles in shaping the outcomes of these conflicts.
6. French-English Relations
Tensions between French and English Canada persisted throughout the 20th century. The Conscription Crises and the October Crisis highlighted the complexities of Canadian unity and the need for ongoing dialogue and understanding.
7. Prime Minister with Greatest Contribution
Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968, made significant contributions to Canada’s development, including universal healthcare, the Canada Pension Plan, and a new flag. His diplomatic efforts earned him a Nobel Peace Prize and established Canada as a peacekeeping nation.
8. Spark of WWI and the War in Afghanistan
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked WWI by triggering alliances and militaristic responses. Similarly, the 9/11 terrorist attacks triggered the War in Afghanistan as nations sought to combat terrorism and address political instability.
9. Fighting in WWI and WWII
While both WWI and WWII involved global alliances and massive civilian involvement, they differed in their combat strategies and technologies. Trench warfare characterized WWI, while WWII saw more mobile and mechanized combat, including blitzkrieg tactics and the use of atomic bombs.
10. Horrors of War
War inflicts devastating human costs and moral dilemmas. From the casualties and trench conditions of WWI to the Holocaust and the atomic bombings of WWII, these events underscore the need for peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.
11. Best and Worst in Humanity
War reveals both the best and worst aspects of humanity. Acts of bravery and compassion, such as those displayed at Vimy Ridge and by Oskar Schindler, contrast with the atrocities of the Holocaust and the internment of Japanese Canadians, highlighting the complex impact of war on human behavior.
12. Credit Boom and Bust
The economic boom of the 1920s, fueled by credit expansion and speculative behavior, led to the 1929 crash and the Great Depression. This cycle demonstrates the importance of responsible financial practices and the potential consequences of economic instability.
13. Free Trade and Globalization
Free trade and globalization have integrated Canada’s economy into the global market, fostering economic growth and consumer choice. However, they have also presented challenges, such as job losses in certain sectors and concerns about economic dependency. The overall impact on Canadians includes increased standards of living and economic opportunities but requires adaptation to a rapidly changing global landscape.