CANADA AND WW I: NATIONALISM AND NATIONAL SECURITY Ukrainian Internment
What Was It ? - War Measures Act (1914) forced 8579 “enemy aliens” into labor camps across Canada. - War Measures Act (1914) forced 8579 “enemy aliens” into labor camps across Canada of which were Ukrainian of which were Ukrainian. - All had immigrated from “Austria-Hungary”, an Empire with which Canada was now at war. - All had immigrated from “Austria-Hungary”, an Empire with which Canada was now at war. - These people were thought to be potential threats to Canada - These people were thought to be potential threats to Canada -They were arrested without charge and were not eligible for bail. -They were arrested without charge and were not eligible for bail. - Were internees, not POWs. - Were internees, not POWs.
- Along with the 5000 Ukrainians who were actually interred in camps, an additional 80,000 Austro-Hungarian expatriates were forced to register with authorities. - Along with the 5000 Ukrainians who were actually interred in camps, an additional 80,000 Austro-Hungarian expatriates were forced to register with authorities. -They were not allowed to own firearms and had to inform the authorities of their whereabouts. -They were not allowed to own firearms and had to inform the authorities of their whereabouts. - Ukrainians were not allowed to serve in the army until the very end of the war. - Ukrainians were not allowed to serve in the army until the very end of the war. - One, Philip Konowal, won the Victoria Cross. - One, Philip Konowal, won the Victoria Cross.
Life In The Camps -The labor camps were spread across Canada. -The labor camps were spread across Canada. -They were usually located in remote areas -They were usually located in remote areas - They resembled concentration camps…barbed wire and guard towers. - They resembled concentration camps…barbed wire and guard towers. - Internees were forced into various construction projects. - Internees were forced into various construction projects. - Received little pay and poor food. - Received little pay and poor food.
- Personal possessions were confiscated and rarely returned. - Personal possessions were confiscated and rarely returned. - Internees were denied basic rights and freedoms. - Internees were denied basic rights and freedoms. - The last internment camps did not close until February, The last internment camps did not close until February, 1920.
Labor Projects - Developed infrastructure in Banff National Park (the Banff Springs Golf Course) - Developed infrastructure in Banff National Park (the Banff Springs Golf Course) - Worked in the logging industry in Northern Ontario and Quebec - Worked in the logging industry in Northern Ontario and Quebec - Worked in coal mines in BC - Worked in coal mines in BC - Worked in the steel industry in Nova Scotia - Worked in the steel industry in Nova Scotia - Basically provided slave labor for the Canadian war industry. - Basically provided slave labor for the Canadian war industry.
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