Canada & The First

American War Pt. 1

Kali Fourte & Tionne Harris

Key Concepts &

Key Questions

Key Concepts

❖ Change ❖ Continuity

Key Questions

❖ To what extent did participation in the First World War

affect national unity in Canada?

❖ What were the economic effects of the First World War

on Canada?

Pulled into War

➢ Despite gaining independence in domestic issues in 1867 Canada was still laboured under a confusing foreign policy structure. Britain's government essentially controlled Canada's foreign policy due to the July Crisis of 1914. This happened due a heated debate about the Canadian Navy where Wilfrid Laurier declared that both would go to war together.

➢ When the United Kingdom went to war on Aug. 4,1914 Canada was automatically at war w/ Germany.

Summary:

Even though Canada had full independence, the British government still controlled their foreign policy.

This meant whatever war Britain got involved in, Canadians had to as well.

*The July Crisis was a diplomatic crisis among the major powers of Europe in the summer of 1914 that lead to World War I.*

*Wilfred Laurier (1841-1919)Canadaś first French Prime Minister. Laurier was a lawyer. He was the leader of a Liberal Party.*

Mobilization:the action of a country or its government preparing and organizing

troops for active service.

➢ Canada had a large population of 8 million so they committed to total war effort. Initially they committed 25,000 men equipped and sent to the European theatre. This was all at Canada's expense so they spent about $50 million to do so.

➢ Within a month of the outbreak of the war, over 30,000 men had assembled at the Valcartier, Quebec for training.

➢ Equipping and clothing the men was challenging so they were given khaki uniforms and Ross Rifles.

Mobilization (cont.)

➢ Despite the enthusiasm with which most Canadians approached the war effort, there was, from the start, some quiet voices of dissent - voices that soon grew in masses as the slaughter in France became apparent and went on for years.

➢ Recruiting was easy throughout 1914 and 1915, with close to 60K men enlisting by the end of 1914. By June of 1915 Canada's force had over 100K soldiers overseas.

➢ The replacement rate was 15K men a year. Due to the high demand the recruiting system continuous lowered medical and height standards.

Mobilization (Cont.)

➢ Volunteer recruiting peaked in early 1916 and fell off from that point.

➢ Nonetheless, when the Battle of Arras erupted in spring of 1917 the Canadian corps consisted of 4 divisions in France with a fifth waiting in Britain.

➢ By the time the Battle of Arras had started recruit numbers couldn't keep up with battle losses.

Quebec

Quebec was behind in the war for several reasons

1. The was very few single men available to enter the army because it is traditional for men to marry young.

2. They excluded the Catholic Church, which was the most influential social institution.3. Many French Canadians were convinced that this was not their war to join in.4. It was smarter to stay at home in Quebec where business was booming due to the

war.

The Home Front

● Canada was going through a great depression when they entered the war● The war created jobs for Canadians, but also taxed the Canadians● When the massive increase in demand that accompanied a war of this magnitude was

combined with the physical devastation and dislocation of established European national economics , it meant Canada - its fields and factories safe on the other side of the Atlantic - could expand to this land.

● Sam Hughes demanded that all munitions of production become one because it would have strengthened the Canadian economy. Sir Sam Hughes, Canada’s Minister

of Militia and Defence from October 1911 to November 1916, was the driving force behind Canada’s early war effort.

The Home Front (Cont.)

● Sam Hughes soon became known for these acts or patronage

Hughes pushed this with the intentions of his business booming.

Hughes´ Shell Committee was put in place to fix this problem but proved themselves incapable.

The Imperial Munitions Board was put in place to replace Hughes´ Shell Committee

Patronage: The practice of giving political positions and economic opportunities to political allies and supporters.

Financing The War

● To support the mobilization, governor passed War Measures Act: Reserved a federal government right to govern by executive decree and times perceived “war invasion or insurrection”

● Two methods Canada used to meet their debt: Taxation and Credit● British North America Act: A 1867 act of British parliament that

established and outlined self-government in Canada. It essence, formed part of the Canadian constitution until 1981 when the constitution became a solely Canadian document.

● The war caused employment, but also made prices rise.

Question of Leadership

● Canadians were tired and were ready to formally break off from Britain.● Prime Minister Morden attempted to raise enough soldiers and support for the

cause of fighting for Canada independence against Britain. ● It was not until the battles of 1916 that Allied ranks and David Lloyd George

became the coalition leader of the new British government.● In January of 1917 George convened an Imperial war Cabinet Conference and

dominion leaders formed into an Imperial War Cabinet. David Lloyd George: a liberal British statesman who became prime minister during World War I. After earning election to the House of Commons in 1890, he was named chancellor of the exchequer in 1908, and introduced health and unemployment benefits with the National Insurance Act of 1911.

1914

United Kingdom declared war on 8/4/1914.

1915

Canadian Expeditionary Force arrives in France

1915

Canadian troops gassed at the Second Battle of Ypres

1917

Canadian troops win Battle of Vimy Ridge

1917

Canadians participate in Battle of Passchendaele

Quick Overview

Questions?