Chapter 9 – The Great War’s Lasting Legacy for Canada

Remembrance Day In honour of the lives lost and sacrifices made during World War I Celebrated November 11 at 11 a.m. every year War ended on the 11th day of the 11th month of at 11th hour on 1918

Canada joins new British Imperial War Cabinet December 9, 1916 – new British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George invites all Prime Ministers of the British colonies to join IMPERIAL WAR CABINET “ to discuss how best to cooperate in the direction of war” – recognizes that “….fighting not for us but with us….” Canada’s Prime Minister, Robert Borden pushed for “autonomy” within the British Empire

Canada steps onto the international stage 1914 – Canada responds to Britain’s call to was as part of it’s duty to the British Empire and stand by it despite having no voice in the decisions that led to war Canadian government followed blindly without consultation on British government’s war policies Soldiers led by British officers

War Cabinet’s Resolution IX Canada and other British Colonies were given “ full recognition as autonomous nations” Details were worked out after the war, but in principle , Britain now recognized Canada as a full partner in the British Empire

Canada at Paris Peace Conference 1919 Prime Minister Lloyd George invites Canada to sit as one of five British delegates at the Paris Peace Conference. Robert Borden refused to sit as a British delegate but insisted on Canada sitting at the peace table in its own right – Canada had made a major bloody sacrifice to the war and Borden believed that this deserves equal nationhood status in the negotiations – given two seats at the PPC but had no votes in the decision making process – a symbolic victory

The Treaty of Versailles and the New Face of Europe Canada’s seat at the PPC table in a newly established League of Nations that helped draft the TREATY OF VERSAILLES – to punish the aggressive nations and to guarantee peace Canada steps on the world stage as a maturing nation both from national and international perspectives A new Europe emerges as political boundaries redrawn

Europe 1919

Harshness of the Treaty of Versailles Germany was forced to accept sole blame of the war and to pay for reparations for damage – the exact amount was not indicated in the peace treaty The harshness of the treaty created an unstable peace in Europe as Germany was not content with the terms of the settlement. The Treaty of Versailles sowed bitter resentment and the seeds for World War II – 2o years later.