“Causes” and Canadian Response to Threat of War

“Causes” of WW2

1. Territorial Expansion Totalitarian leaders (Germany, Italy, Japan) had nationalistic ambitions and wanted to expand their empires for power and resources. Hitler’s plan involved uniting the “Master Race” of Germanic people and gaining previously lost territory. 1936- Hitler orders troops into the Rhineland in violation of Treaty of Versailles. Britain/France chose not to react; willing to make concessions to maintain peace. Like the colonialist leaders of pre-WWI empires, the totalitarian leaders now in power had nationalistic ambitions and wanted to expand their empires for power and resources.

2.Appeasement Hitler then threatened to invade the Sudentenland. (part of Czechoslovakia) British/French leaders met with him in Munich to negotiate. He promises not to invade the rest of Czech. Munich Agreement= policy of appeasement. (giving in to an aggressors demands in the hope that no other demands will be made.) Sudentenland- ethnic German, given to Czechoslovakia at Paris Peace Conference/

3. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact As part of his territorial expansion, Hitler planned to unite East Prussia with the rest of Germany. This would involving tacking back territory from Poland. Hitler realized the Soviets would regard Germany’s actions as threatening to their security. In August 1939, Hitler stunned the world by signing a non- aggression pact with Joseph Stalin. (Even though the Nazis and Communists hated each other.)

British PM Chamberlain and Hitler

Both countries pledged not to fight each other if war broke out, and agreed to divide Poland between them. On Sept 1, 1939 German troops invaded Poland. (and broke the agreement) Britain and France responded immediately, ordering German troops out of Poland by Sept. 3. Germany ignored the deadline and Britain and France declared war.

4. Failure of the League of Nations The League of Nations was supposed to help to maintain world peace, but it proved to be too weak. Trade embargos were limited or did not work effectively. It did not have a military to enforce its decisions.

In addition to it’s failures in dealing with Germany’s aggression, the League also failed to deal effectively with: Japan’s invasion of Chinese Manchuria in 1931; when the League tried to deal with Japan, it simply withdrew from the League of Nations. Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935; The League tried to impose trade sanctions against Italy, but did not include oil. (because they were hoping for Italy’s support if a war broke out)

Meanwhile in Canada… Many saw the escalating tensions in Europe and asked why Canadian lives should be risked in another European war. Throughout the 1930s Canada practiced isolationism, keeping out of affairs outside its borders. The economy was slowly improving and King did not want the country plunged back into debt.

Canada’s response to Jewish Refugees While King knew the Nazis were tyrannizing people, he maintained Canada’s isolationist policies. Many Canadians believed that the horrors that were happening in Germany should not affect Canada. This attitude was reflected in Canada’s immigration policies and attitudes toward Jewish refugees.

Anti-Semitism Some Canadians actively supported the dictators who seized power in Europe. Some approved of Hitler’s policies. After Kristallnacht in November 1938, Liberal Cabinet Minister Thomas Crerar recommended that 10,000 Jewish immigrants be allowed entry into Canada. Cabinet refused his suggestion.

The government restricted immigration in the 1930s. As a result, the number of immigrants to Canada fell from approximately 170,000 in 1928 to 14, 000 in 1933. The number of deportations increased to nearly 30,000 by 1936.

SS St. Louis

Canadians Speak Out Many Canadians did not share the governments anti-Semitic views. Cairine Wilson, Canada’s first female Senator and chair of the Canadian National Committee of Refugees spoke out against banning Jewish refugees from Canada. Rallies were held in many parts of the country in support of a more humane immigration policy.