Download - World War II: Canada’s Role
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World War II:Canada’s Role
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Canada Enters the War• Britain and France, honouring their
pledge to Poland, declared war on Germany on September 3rd.
• Although not automatically committed by Britain's declaration of war (Statute of Westminster, 1931), there was little doubt that Canada would quickly follow.
• On September 7, Parliament met in special session; on September 9 it approved support to Britain and France; and on September 10th 1939, Canada declared war on Germany.
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The House of Commons on September 7, 1939, the first day of the special
session in which Canada's Parliament decided to
declare war on Germany.
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Canadian Preparations• When Canada declared war in 1939,
there were only about 10 000 soldiers in its armed forces.
• During the Depression years, the government had reduced military spending and in 1938-1939, the budget for defence was only $35 million.
• In 1939, the Canadian army possessed only 14 tanks; 29 light machine guns, 23 anti-tank rifles and 5 small mortar guns. The Canadian navy had exactly 10 operational vessels, and the Royal Canadian Air Force had only 50 modern aircraft.
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• Though largely unprepared for war, Canada was quick to respond:– the government hoped that Canada’s
role would be limited– were ready to send 40 000 troops– anticipated a role as the main supplier
of food and war materials for Britain
• P.M. King did not want the war to involve a costly expenditure of Canadian lives, and above all, he wanted to avoid another conscription crisis at all costs.
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Canada Steps Up• By the end of
September, over 58 000 Canadian men and women had enlisted in the armed forces.
• Many recruits were unemployed men who were grateful for a new pair of boots, a warm uniform and coat, three square meals a day and a soldier’s basic pay of $1.30 per day.
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• As in 1914, these recruits were all volunteers, however, they went off to war in a much more sombre mood than the young recruits in 1914.
• On September 16 the first convoy left for England. By January 1940, 23 000 mostly untrained Canadian troops were in Britain.
• Their rallying cry declared, “We’ve come here to do a job and then go home”. The hope was that the war would be over quickly. Events would soon erase this hope.
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At War! • In 1940, within the
first four weeks of action, Hitler’s modern army crushed Polish defences. Next Germany overran Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Soon, Hitler turned his attention to France.
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Britain to the Rescue???• Thousands of British troops raced across
the English Channel to defend France. A contingent of Canadian soldiers remained in Britain to defend against the expected German invasion.
• Despite Britain's valiant effort, the Germans advanced rapidly into France leaving both British and French troops trapped.
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The Miracle of Dunkirk
• In May, 1940, British troops had to be evacuated from the seaport town of Dunkirk on the French coast.
• 300 000 soldiers were rescued by boats of all sizes; in addition to the British destroyers, a makeshift fleet of sightseeing boats, river ferries, fishing boats and privately owned crafts sailed across the British Channel to return the stranded troops safely back to Britain.
• Despite the “miracle” it was a terrible defeat, much of the heavy British war equipment had to be abandoned and France fell in 6 weeks.
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Elsewhere in the world…(do not copy)
• On June 10, 1940, Italian dictator Mussolini decided to enter the war on Germany’s side.
• Soon almost all of Europe was under the control of the Axis powers; with only Britain and its Commonwealth allies outside their grasp of power.
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The Battle of Hong Kong• Japan attacked Hong Kong (a British
colony at the time) the day after they attacked Pearl Harbour.
• Canada surrenders after 17 days of fighting after 300 soldiers are killed and 493 are injured.
• Captured soldiers are taken to Japanese Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) camps– 257 more Cdn soldiers die from
torture, starvation or murder– Leads to bitterness towards
Japanese-Canadians in Canada
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The Move to Centre Stage… (do not copy)
• Although Prime Minister King had hoped Canada would be a supplier of war materials in a short, limited war, the reverse was soon true. Hitler’s dramatic success meant that Britain stood alone in Europe and depended more than ever on Canada’s support.
• The Canadian troops in Britain were fresh and well equipped and more could be sent into Europe. As in WWI, Canadian convoys were a vital lifeline to the survival of Britain.
• Canadian food, guns, supplies and armed forces were desperately needed in Europe. Thus Canada, despite reluctance to take on such a large role within the war, quickly moved to center stage.
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Seat/Homework
•The Dieppe Raid–read pg. 151–answer questions 1-4