wwii the home front

WWII The Home FrontI. PropagandaII. ConscriptionIII. Make-Up of the

Canadian ForcesIV. Women in WWIIV. Economic and

Social ConditionsVI. Racism at Home

I. Propaganda Definition: Mass communication to

achieve a goal. May be positive or negative.

Positive: Makes people feel that they are part of a group

Negative: Uses people's fears; portrays someone else as evil

Dieppe and Propaganda

Diepe: The Reality

II. Conscription (Again)King had come to power opposing conscriptions in in WWIHeld a plebiscite (vote) asking Canadians to decide on conscription

conscription

English Canada voted YES, Quebec voted NO

"Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription” - King

It was implemented at the end of the war, but few conscripts saw action in Europe – mainly for home defense

III. Make-Up of the Canadian Forces

Significant shift from WW I Active participation of visible

minorities and women in the Canadian Armed Forces

No segregated units (as in WW I) Visible minorities generally welcomed

in full combat roles Racism certainly existed on an

individual basis

Native Canadians joined in huge numbers to escape poverty

of the depression. many felt loyalty to Canada barred from joining the air force and navy

at the start of the war, but eventually actively recruited

French Canadians signed up in good numbers - made up

19% of the military even though the army was still unilingual (English).

22nd “Vandoos”

Alouettes Squadron

English Canadians Largest group of soldiers signed up at the same rate, for the

same reasons as other groups

Ukranian Canadians

WW I “enemy Aliens” signed up in HUGE numbers. Hitler

had taken over the Ukraine. They founded the UNF (Ukranian National Federation) to recruit men.

More than 50 000 men and women served

Black Canadians Were rejected at first, but later

accepted and fought at the front Gerry Carter was Canada’s youngest

officer to be made a pilot (18 years old)

Veterans were not given the same rights after the war

Japanese Canadians Many did serve, but many were

rejected because of suspicion of the enemy (Canada was at war with Japan)

Chinese Canadians Many proudly served, but few accounts

are recorded (especially in History textbooks!)

IV. Women in WWII Played a major role in army

50 000 in active duty (non-combatants)

3000 overseas nurses Served as drivers, cooks,

clerks, messengers, laundresses, ferrying aircraft

Paid only 2/3 wage Not totally accepted (by males) in the military -

discrimination from permanent officers 46 died

Women in the Labour Force Very important role 800 000 farm work 250 000 employed in war production(welders, drillers, electricians etc)

Women’s liberation???

V. Economic and Social Conditions

Society was transformed Host of rules and restrictions Every aspect of civilian life was under

government control Rationing (ration books)

Economic and Social Conditions

Very low unemployment - not enough workers

Many women filled men's jobs - state funded daycare establish

Wage and price controls Federal spending very high Income taxes increased

Victory bonds

VI. Racism at Home

Official and unofficial racism against "enemy aliens" - German and Italian Canadians

Racism at Home Japanese internment

camps March 1942 all Japanese were moved to the

interior Property confiscated

Confiscated Japanese fishing boats - B.C.

Racism at Home Families separated Men paid 25 cents a day Given nothing back after

the war More than 6000 were sent to Japan Government issued official apology in 1988

and gave each internee still living $21 000. David Suzuki was interned during WW II