Canada at War – the Home Front 1914-1918

A Few Facts about Canada in 1914

• Population – 7.5 million

• Women and Aboriginals could not vote

• Loaf of bread between 5-15 cents

• Canada had no professional army

• Phonograph (music player) popular home entertainment.

• Trains dominated transportation (only 50,000 automobiles)

• Canada was in a recession – poverty was high

• English Canada identified strongly with ties to Britain–not so in French Canada.

• People are very ethnocentric and xenophobic.

How did Canada Enter the War?

• Canada did not have full control of her foreign policy. When Britain declared war on Aug. 4, 1914 we were at war too. (after the invasion of Belgium).

• We did control what we contributed to the war effort –Canada decided to play a major role.

The Soldiers• Canada hoped for 25,000 recruits – 31,000 enlisted.

People believed war would be short. Others sought adventure, camaraderie, or pay.

• All were sent to Val Cartier Quebec for basic training –from there to England and then France.

• CEF – Canadian Expeditionary Force (name of our army serving in Europe)

• Only whites were allowed to enlist until later years when volunteers were running short.

• Most of the early volunteers were from English Canada.

• Troops were put into Divisions (1-4) and then organized into smaller units of around 1000 men called battalions. Each battalion was divided into smaller groups called companies.

• Men would identify with their battalion – usually composed of soldiers from same area.

• Equipment and provisions were mediocre. EX. The ROSS RIFLE tended to jam in combat – replaced with a British model.

• Canadian troops first reached the front at Ypres (Belgium) in February 1915

“Winnipeg Grenadiers”78th Battalion CEF

“Winnipeg Rifles” aka “Little Black Devils”

Conscription

• In 1917 – the government decided to introduce mandatory military service

• This was very controversial – had a significant impact on the war effort and the country itself.

SEE READINGS AND ACTIVITY ON MY WEBSITE

Sacrifices at Home• No battles were fought on our soil but the whole

country was engaged in the war.

1) War Measures Act – Aug. 1914

Gave the government extraordinary power to divert our whole nation to Total War. Gov. could:

o ignore democratic rights of citizens (censor the press, arrest without charge, curfews etc)

o Intervene in the free market (control prices of goods, ration fuel, food, etc)

Specifics

• The gov. rationed food items (meat and sugar) and fuel“hoarders” who tried to profit from this were severely punished.

• Income tax was introduced and luxury taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

• People grew victory gardens to sustain themselves to allow more food to go to the troops.

• People bought victory bonds which were low interest loans to the government. Children bought war savings stamps.

Role of Women• Canada’s manufacturing industries boomed during the

war to provide supplies needed for the allied war effort.

• Women were being hired to do jobs that were traditionally done by men.

• 30,000 women worked in munitions factories during the war era. They were paid less and fired after war.

• Women contributed to war effort directly in non-combat roles (secretaries, nurses).

• Women contributed indirectly by sending supplies overseas to the troops.

• Women began to find their political voice in this era –believe they have proven their worth during the war.

The Enemy Within• The W.M.A. Allowed the government to target people in

Canada from “enemy nations”. There was a fear that they may be spies.

• Internment camps were set up for German and Ukrainian Canadians.

• Property was seized and people were monitored at the camps. Forced to do labour.

Fighting the War• WW1 was characterized by trench warfare (see

handout)

• Canada had a very small navy and air force, our main contribution were the approx 600,000 troops of the CEF.

• Canada also supplied Britain – grain and other food exports were key. Also developed ammunition factories to supply Britain. German U-boats threatened ships.

1914

• Canadians had not arrived in Europe yet.

• German Schlieffen Plan almost succeeded but they were stopped just east of Paris at the Battle of the Marne.

• Germans enjoyed success on the Eastern Front.

1915

• Canadians fought for the first time at the Second Battle of Ypres. Stopped the German advance at St. Julien – first chlorine gas attack of the war.

• “all quiet on the western front” – digging in.

1916

• Germans begin bloody offensive at Verdun – have little success but casualties high on both sides.

• British (including Canada) attempt to relieve the French at Verdun with an offensive to the north.

• This Battle of the Somme was a disaster. Ex. 500 of 800 in NFLD regiment killed at Beaumont-Hamel.

• Battle of Fromelles worst day in Australia military history.

• 7 KM gained for 146,000 allied dead (164,000 German dead)

1917

• Canada’s greatest year in the war. For the first time a Canadian would command the Canadian corps (Arthur Currie).

• Canadians play a key role in the Nivelle Offensives against German positions in northern France and Belgium.

• Canadians win the Battle of Vimy Ridge – a strategic point. No other force had been capable.

• Canadians fight in the heavy rains and mud of the Battle of Passchendaele. They win the position but are forced to retreat later.

• Russia pulls out of the war (defeat/revolution) – Germany can now focus solely on the western front

1918

• USA joins war – German supplies and troops near exhaustion. They make one final push to win the war.

• They almost reach Paris but are turned back.

• Final part of the war is known as Canada’s Hundred Days – we play a key role in driving the Germans back towards their borders.

• Final battle is fought in Belgium at Mons.

• German Kaiser abdicates and the army sues for peace. This happens before the allies ever set foot in Germany (important fact later).

• Canada lost 60,000 (10%) men – the war was the deadliest yet seen in history.

Impact of the War on Canada

• Many things changed after WW1.

• Women had proven themselves in the workplace of men – had also voted. They now push for more rights.

• A greater sense of Canadian nationalism and desire for more independence from Britain.

• Deep impact on individual lives, families – anti-war movement.

• Soldiers came back expecting a better country and to be provided with jobs and benefits.