Canada Goes to War Ms. Campbell Socials 11

Canada Goes to War In 1914 Canadian foreign policy was controlled by Britain When Britain declared war on Germany (August 4, 1914) Canada was automatically at war Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal) and Prime Minister Robert Borden (Conservative) both supported the war Canada offered 25,000 troops but more than 30,000 volunteers signed up within a month Many English-speaking Canadians were British in origin Strong patriotic feelings Toronto Newspaper  “Cheer after cheer from the crowds of people who had waited long and anxiously for the announcement of Great Britain’s position in the present conflict in Europe greeted the news that the Mother Country had declared war against Germany. Groups of men sang “Rule Britannia.” Others joined in singing “God Save the King”; some showed their sense of seriousness of the situation by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” Many who volunteered believed they would be home by Christmas Other volunteers went because they were unemployed Women were considered too frail Those who did serve were usually ambulance drivers or nurses Aboriginal, African, and Japanese were accepted reluctantly – if at all

What are some signs that Canada and Britain were closely associated? Canada Goes to War At this time Newfoundland was not a province Some Newfoundlanders joined the regular forces Some formed the Newfoundland Regiment What are some signs that Canada and Britain were closely associated?

Union Jack (1801 – Present)

Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921)

Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957)

Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965)

Canadian Flag (1965 – Present )

Australian Flag

New Zealand

British Columbia

What are some similarities and differences in the flags? Canada Goes to War What are some similarities and differences in the flags?

Canada Goes to War Patriotism Adventure Canadians went to war for two main reasons Patriotism Adventure Proud to fight for their country Strong ties to Britain The prairies contributed many soldiers War was seen as “the great adventure” Soldiers paid anywhere from $1 to $20 per day

Canada Goes to War Canada’s Minister of Militia was Sam Hughes In charge of Canada’s armament industry The Ross Rifle was a Canadian made weapon, BUT it jammed constantly Sam Hughes Poor administrator Inefficient War profiteering Insisted on using Canadian manufacturers Often inappropriate equipment Poor Quality  boots with soles made of cardboard fell apart in the rain Hughes was fired in 1916

Canada Goes to War Camp Valcartier in Quebec was build to train Canadian troops Canada’s armed forces were called the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) At first soldiers were integrated into British troops Before long Canadians fought together under the command of Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie Valcartier Built in four weeks Training lasted four months CEF Canada was a patchwork of regions Travel was difficult Training was often the first time soldiers met people from other places in Canada Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie 1917 Ensured Canadians would fight as one unit -------------------------------------------BREAK----------------------------------

Unsent Letter Pretend you are a Canadian soldier who volunteered for World War One Write a letter to a friend Explaining why you joined the military Describing the training you received Talk about any challenges you have faced with your equipment (EXTENSION)

New Types of Fighting http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/games/overtop/index_e.shtml

New Types of Fighting The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s attempt to avoid a two front war Believed it would take Russia time to mobilize Believed Britain would remain neutral The Schlieffen Plan was stopped at the Battle of the Marne in September Each side dug trenches and stalemate ensued Schlieffen Plan Traditionally Britain had not become involved in disputes between countries in Europe Nearly worked By August German troops were 50 kilometers from Paris

New Types of Fighting Between the trenches was no man’s land Full of corpses, barbed wire, and mud Between Germany and France were called the Western Front

New Types of Fighting Diagram of a Trench http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/history20/unit1/tren2Fl.html Trench Side View http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/history20/unit1/tren1Fl.html

New Types of Fighting Life in the trenches was cold and damp There were lots of rats and lice and many men developed trench foot In order to attack, soldiers had to go over the top unprotected Trench Warfare Trench Foot was a painful condition that caused feet to swell and turn black Going Over the Top was dangerous because of the machine gun

New Types of Fighting New technology changed the ways wars were fought  machine guns, airplanes, and artillery attacks Many generals ignored technology and engaged instead in battles of attrition which were based on grinding down (exhausting) the enemy’s manpower before yours were exhausted Nations became engaged in total war as they threw all their efforts into winning the war Battles of Attrition Huge losses on both sides

Exit Slip What was the name of Canada’s military force in World War One and what are TWO challenges soldiers faced in trench warfare?