The War at HomeThe War at Home

Canada Canada Goes to Goes to

WarWar

Canada’s Response To WWICanada’s Response To WWI In 1914 In 1914

Canada was Canada was still a still a dominion of dominion of Great BritainGreat Britain

Great Britain still controlled It’s Dominions foreign Great Britain still controlled It’s Dominions foreign policypolicy

This meant that when Britain went to war Canada, This meant that when Britain went to war Canada, along with the rest of the British Empire, also went to along with the rest of the British Empire, also went to war.war.

SupportSupport Canada Canada automaticallyautomatically

entered the war as part entered the war as part of the British Empireof the British Empire

Support for going to Support for going to war in Europe was war in Europe was widespreadwidespread

Canada offered Britain a force of 25 000 men trained, Canada offered Britain a force of 25 000 men trained, equipped, and paid for by the Canadian governmentequipped, and paid for by the Canadian government

While Canada only had 3 000 regular army soldiers, it While Canada only had 3 000 regular army soldiers, it had over 60 000 militia (citizen soldiers trained for had over 60 000 militia (citizen soldiers trained for emergencies)emergencies)

Support Cont.Support Cont. In 1914, Newfoundland In 1914, Newfoundland

was not a part of was not a part of Canada, so while some Canada, so while some Newfoundlanders Newfoundlanders joined Canadian joined Canadian regiments, most regiments, most became members of became members of the the Newfoundland Newfoundland RegimentRegiment

To supplement Canadian forces, the government To supplement Canadian forces, the government sent out a call for volunteers to join for $1 a day – sent out a call for volunteers to join for $1 a day – over 10 000 Canadians volunteeredover 10 000 Canadians volunteered

The People’s ResponseThe People’s Response Responses to Canada’s involvement in the Responses to Canada’s involvement in the

war varied.war varied.

Those Canadian’s of British decent were Those Canadian’s of British decent were enthusiastic, while the Francophone (native enthusiastic, while the Francophone (native French speaking) and population and the French speaking) and population and the Maritime provinces were far less interested Maritime provinces were far less interested in Canadian involvement in a war overseas. in Canadian involvement in a war overseas.

Why would theWhy would the Canadiens Canadiens and the Maritime and the Maritime provinces be less interested in going to war provinces be less interested in going to war in Europe than those Canadian’s of British in Europe than those Canadian’s of British heritage?heritage?

Why Did They Join?Why Did They Join? Sense of Sense of patriotismpatriotism – –

Canadians felt proud to fight Canadians felt proud to fight for their country, and many for their country, and many English Canadian felt strong English Canadian felt strong sentimental ties to Britain sentimental ties to Britain (remember that recent (remember that recent immigrants from Britain immigrants from Britain were the first to volunteer)were the first to volunteer)

Feelings of excitement Feelings of excitement and adventureand adventure – many – many young men viewed war as a young men viewed war as a “great adventure,” a chance “great adventure,” a chance to see the world, and the to see the world, and the opportunity to be a heroopportunity to be a hero

War Was An Exciting Opportunity!War Was An Exciting Opportunity! The Toronto ‘The Toronto ‘Mail and EmpireMail and Empire,’ Aug 5 1914.,’ Aug 5 1914.

Cheer after cheer from the crowds of people who waited long and Cheer after cheer from the crowds of people who waited long and anxiously for the announcement of Great Britain’s position in the present anxiously for the announcement of Great Britain’s position in the present conflict in Europe greeted the news that the Mother Country had declared conflict in Europe greeted the news that the Mother Country had declared war against Germany. Groups of men sang “Rule Britannia,” others joined war against Germany. Groups of men sang “Rule Britannia,” others joined in singing “God Save the King”; some showed their sense of seriousness of in singing “God Save the King”; some showed their sense of seriousness of the situation by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”…the situation by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”…

Originally PM Robert Border offered Britain Originally PM Robert Border offered Britain 25,000 troops, but 30,000 signed up in the first 25,000 troops, but 30,000 signed up in the first month.month.

Largely people thought the war would be over Largely people thought the war would be over by Christmas.by Christmas.

War For Everyone?War For Everyone? Women were considered Women were considered

too frail and emotional too frail and emotional to join in battle.to join in battle.

Women were supposed Women were supposed to support their male to support their male counterparts in going counterparts in going overseas.overseas.

Hundreds of Hundreds of womenwomen joined as nurses and joined as nurses and ambulance drivers to ambulance drivers to serve overseasserve overseas

Originally no Aboriginal Originally no Aboriginal males were allowed to males were allowed to enlist. Later this was enlist. Later this was retracted. African and retracted. African and Japanese Canadians Japanese Canadians were also carefully were also carefully scrutinized.scrutinized.

Training the TroopsTraining the Troops

Sir Sam HughesSir Sam Hughes was Canada’s was Canada’s Minister of Militia Minister of Militia and Defenceand Defence at the beginning of the war at the beginning of the war

Hughes set up a training camp at Hughes set up a training camp at ValcartierValcartier, , QuebecQuebec

Troops were issued the Canadian-made Troops were issued the Canadian-made Ross RifleRoss Rifle, , which was good for sharp shooting, but poor in which was good for sharp shooting, but poor in trench warfare (they jammed with mud)trench warfare (they jammed with mud)

Volunteers or Amateurs?Volunteers or Amateurs?

The majority of Canada’s volunteer military The majority of Canada’s volunteer military had no real training.had no real training.• They were rushed through general They were rushed through general

training.training.

Soldiers who served Canada became Soldiers who served Canada became patriotic and developed a patriotic and developed a national identitynational identity..• We had always been BritishWe had always been British• The war carved out a new ‘Canadian’ The war carved out a new ‘Canadian’

image.image.

War ProfiteersWar Profiteers War is often said to help War is often said to help

economies.economies.

War ProfiteersWar Profiteers are those are those who make a large profit who make a large profit making goods for war making goods for war (shells, outfits, artillery, (shells, outfits, artillery, guns, etc.)guns, etc.)

Canadians had to use Canadians had to use poorly designed Ross Rifles poorly designed Ross Rifles and boots that fell apart in and boots that fell apart in the rain.the rain.

Joseph Flavelle was accused of profiteering

The Halifax Explosion 1917The Halifax Explosion 1917

A French munitions ship carrying A French munitions ship carrying explosives collided with another explosives collided with another vessel in the Halifax harbourvessel in the Halifax harbour

Following the collision a huge Following the collision a huge explosion leveled sections of Halifax.explosion leveled sections of Halifax.

Over 2,000 people were killed and Over 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were injuredthousands more were injured

$30 million dollars was collected $30 million dollars was collected world wide to help the cityworld wide to help the city

Halifax ExplosionHalifax Explosion

War Measures Act - 1914War Measures Act - 1914

Because Canada was at war with Because Canada was at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Germany and Austria-Hungary, the government feared that recent government feared that recent immigrants or citizens originally from immigrants or citizens originally from enemy countries enemy countries (Enemy Aliens) (Enemy Aliens) would sabotage or spy for the enemywould sabotage or spy for the enemy

Enacted in Enacted in 1914 1914 to place restrictions to place restrictions on on Enemy AliensEnemy Aliens

War Measures Act cont’War Measures Act cont’ Enemy aliens Enemy aliens

could be could be arrested, arrested, searched and searched and sent to sent to internment internment camps without camps without proof of any proof of any illegal activityillegal activity

The majority of The majority of people who were people who were interned were interned were Ukrainians Ukrainians

War Measures Act cont’War Measures Act cont’

Government also Government also introduced introduced censorshipcensorship• Banned Banned

publication of publication of books and books and magazines in magazines in enemy languagesenemy languages

The War At Home - EconomyThe War At Home - Economy As the war progressed As the war progressed

trade with allied countries trade with allied countries was skyrocketing. Canada was skyrocketing. Canada shipped so much to shipped so much to Europe that we ran low on Europe that we ran low on certain goods and prices certain goods and prices increased.increased.

• food and fuel especially food and fuel especially became scarcebecame scarce•Honour rationingHonour rationing was was introducedintroduced

people limited themselves to people limited themselves to a pound and a half of butter a pound and a half of butter and two pounds of sugar a and two pounds of sugar a monthmonth ban on the sale and drinking ban on the sale and drinking of alcoholof alcohol

Economy – cont’Economy – cont’ The war required an immense The war required an immense

amount of money which the amount of money which the government was in short government was in short supply.supply.

During the war Canada also During the war Canada also brought in the ‘temporary’ brought in the ‘temporary’ Income Tax (1917) to help Income Tax (1917) to help raise money (but is still raise money (but is still collected to this day). collected to this day).

Still they ran a deficit and had Still they ran a deficit and had to borrow from the US.to borrow from the US.

Economy cont’Economy cont’ The government sold The government sold

‘Victory Bonds‘Victory Bonds’ to ’ to patriotic Canadians. patriotic Canadians. Victory Bonds were cash Victory Bonds were cash upfront to the upfront to the government in exchange government in exchange for cash back at the end for cash back at the end of the war.of the war.

By the end of the war, the By the end of the war, the government had spent $3 government had spent $3 billion on the war, and billion on the war, and Canada’s debt was $150 Canada’s debt was $150 million per year for 4 million per year for 4 yearsyears

Victory Bond AdvertisementsVictory Bond Advertisements

The Conscription CrisisThe Conscription CrisisBy 1917, with the war dragging on, the number of men By 1917, with the war dragging on, the number of men required to continue holding the trenches overseas required to continue holding the trenches overseas outnumbered our reserves.outnumbered our reserves.

PM Borden had promised no conscription (the PM Borden had promised no conscription (the compulsory/mandatory enlistment of men into the compulsory/mandatory enlistment of men into the army).army).

When he became convinced there was no other option When he became convinced there was no other option he created the he created the Military Service Act (1917)Military Service Act (1917)

• mandatory military servicemandatory military service for men aged 20-45 for men aged 20-45• Only those vital to wartime production jobs, those who were Only those vital to wartime production jobs, those who were

sick, or sick, or conscientious objectors / pacifists conscientious objectors / pacifists (those for (those for whom fighting was against religious beliefs) whom fighting was against religious beliefs) were not were not forced to joinforced to join

Conscription Crisis cont’Conscription Crisis cont’

There was a huge There was a huge worry that worry that conscription would conscription would divide the nation. divide the nation. Farms, businesses Farms, businesses and factories were and factories were running out of running out of workers already workers already (even with women (even with women in the workforce).in the workforce).

The Conscription Crisis - ContinuedThe Conscription Crisis - ContinuedWorried about splitting the nation Borden calls Worried about splitting the nation Borden calls an election over the issue of conscription. To an election over the issue of conscription. To help ensure his victory in the election he help ensure his victory in the election he passed:passed:

the the Military Voters Act (1917)Military Voters Act (1917)•Gave the vote to men and women serving Gave the vote to men and women serving overseas (including minorities – but their right to overseas (including minorities – but their right to vote was revoked at the end of the war)vote was revoked at the end of the war)

The Wartime Elections Act (1917)_The Wartime Elections Act (1917)_•Gave the vote to women directly related to service Gave the vote to women directly related to service menmen

Conscription Crisis cont’Conscription Crisis cont’

In the end Borden won the election In the end Borden won the election with a Wartime with a Wartime Coalition government Coalition government called the Union Government called the Union Government with with English-speaking members of the English-speaking members of the Liberal party Liberal party who supported who supported Conscription.Conscription.

Almost none of the conscripted men Almost none of the conscripted men saw action overseas.saw action overseas.

Conscription CrisisConscription Crisis

Created long-lasting tensions between

French and English Canada

Anti-conscription Riot in Montreal

The Changing Role of WomenThe Changing Role of Women As we have discussed, women made a As we have discussed, women made a

significant contribution to the labour significant contribution to the labour force during WWI.force during WWI.

Without the efforts of women on the Without the efforts of women on the home front, Canada’s wartime home front, Canada’s wartime economy would have collapsed.economy would have collapsed.

The war effort at home helped The war effort at home helped strengthen women’s push for the vote strengthen women’s push for the vote and it paid off in 1916 starting with and it paid off in 1916 starting with Manitoba provincially.Manitoba provincially.

By By 19181918, all women were granted , all women were granted the the federal votefederal vote

Women’s Role - VolunteeringWomen’s Role - Volunteering

With many men serving With many men serving overseas, women had overseas, women had to take on new roles to take on new roles within Canadawithin Canada

Some women Some women volunteered for the volunteered for the Red Red CrossCross

Women knitted and Women knitted and sewed goods to be sent sewed goods to be sent to the Frontto the Front

Women – knit and sewed items to Women – knit and sewed items to be sent to the frontbe sent to the front

Women’s Role - WorkWomen’s Role - Work Prior to the war women had been employed at Prior to the war women had been employed at

low-skill, low paying jobs in food and clothing low-skill, low paying jobs in food and clothing industries. Or were employed as domestic industries. Or were employed as domestic servantsservants

A great demand for labour was created when A great demand for labour was created when Canada increased industrial productionCanada increased industrial production

Women were hired for a variety of work:Women were hired for a variety of work:• operating fishing boats in the Atlanticoperating fishing boats in the Atlantic• running prairie farmsrunning prairie farms• working in munitions factories where shells were working in munitions factories where shells were

manufacturedmanufactured• driving delivery trucksdriving delivery trucks

Women in FactoriesWomen in Factories

Women –Nurses in EuropeWomen –Nurses in Europe

Propaganda As A Tool of WarPropaganda As A Tool of WarWhen you have a war that is lasting years and killing When you have a war that is lasting years and killing millions of soldiers you need a way to control public millions of soldiers you need a way to control public dissent against the cause.dissent against the cause.

Propaganda was (and is) an effective way to pressure Propaganda was (and is) an effective way to pressure the citizenship to continue supporting the effort.the citizenship to continue supporting the effort.

There are many different ways of creating emotion in There are many different ways of creating emotion in propaganda, including:propaganda, including:

1. Convincing people they are not doing enough.1. Convincing people they are not doing enough.

2. Showing the enemy as inhumane and cruel.2. Showing the enemy as inhumane and cruel.

3. Putting pictures of the helpless who need us.3. Putting pictures of the helpless who need us.

4. Advertising ways we can help the cause.4. Advertising ways we can help the cause.