WORLD WAR II (1939-1945)

The World at War (again) AXIS POWERS ALLIED POWERS   Germany, Japan, Italy   United Kingdom, France, Canada (Russia and USA after 1941) VS

Consequences of WWII Federal government gained more power (POLITICAL) In 1939, Canada decided (for itself) to join the war The Federal government passed The War Measures Act, which gave the federal government more power In 1944 the federal government imposed conscription (even though it had promised that it wouldn’t)

Consequences of WWII 2. More government intervention in the economy (POLITICAL/ECONOMIC) The government controlled prices of products and determined wages Certain resources were rationed (fuel, rubber, nylon and metal) because they were important for the war effort Government increased spending on military supplies The federal government issued victory bonds: citizens invest money in the war effort, and gain interest on their investments

Consequences of WWII 3. Decrease in immigration: (SOCIAL) Canada reduced the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country Europeans fleeing the Nazis were denied entrance into the country (Ex: Boats of Jewish refugees were turned away) Canadian citizens who were from enemy countries were forced into internment camps (Ex: Japanese internment camps)

Consequences of WWII 4. Increase in production and exports (ECONOMIC) During the war, Canada increased its production of tanks, ships, planes and military equipment in order to help in the war effort. 5. More women in the workplace (SOCIAL/ECONOMIC): Women took the place of men in the factories as of 1942. Most were paid a lower wage than men, and they lost their positions when the men returned from war. Women also participated in the war (as secretaries, nurses, mechanics, radar operators, etc).

Identify the consequence associated with each document

The Godbout Government 1939-1944

The Godbout Government Adélard Godbout was the leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec During the election campaign he promised to cooperate with the Liberal Federal government, and he promised that he would oppose conscription. He introduced many changes that tried to modernize Quebec

Godbout Government: Important Changes Federal government intervened in provincial jurisdictions: the federal government received all the money raised from taxes, created unemployment insurance and family allowance programs. (Duplessis was AGAINST all of these changes) Women were granted the right to vote in provincial elections (1940) Creation of Quebec Hydro-Electric Commission (Hydro-Quebec) (1944): the Montreal Light, Heat and Power company had a monopoly over electricity in Quebec. The Godbout government decided to nationalize it (the government now owns and controls the largest hydro-electric company in Quebec).

CONSCRIPTION (again…) In 1942, the federal government organized a plebiscite asking Canadians: Would the population release the government of its promise to not impose conscription, if it became necessary? Most of Canada voted yes; Most French-Canadiens (Quebec) voted No In 1944: the federal government imposed conscription because too many soldiers were killed or wounded and there were not enough volunteers. Godbout lost the 1944 provincial elections to Maurice Duplessis

The End of WWII Two conferences were held in Quebec City (1943 and 1944): the allies planned their attack against Germany (The invasion of Normandy), and discussed post-war issues (ex: What would happen to Germany after the war?) WWII ended officially in 1945: Surrender of Germany: May 7, 1945 Surrender of Japan: August 14, 1945

Review Questions: Why did the government hold a plebiscite in 1942? Which political party in Quebec opposed the increase of the federal government’s jurisdiction during the Second World War? What change occurred to Quebec’s largest electricity company in 1944?