Canada’s Response to the War Canada and the First World War 1914-1918

Lesson Outline and Objective Today we will look at how Canada initially responded to the war. you will learn: Canadian attitudes toward the war How Canadian soldiers prepared

World Leaders Canada – PM Robert Borden Great Britain – PM David Lloyd George France – PM Georges Clemenceau Russia – Czar Nicholas II United States – President Woodrow Wilson Germany – Kaiser Wilhelm II Austria-Hungary – Emperor Franz Joseph

Canada’s Response Aug 4, 1914: Britain declared war on Germany and Canada was automatically at war. PM Borden’s Gov’t drafted a War Measures Act. The War Measures Act is an Act that gives the federal government emergency powers during wartime, including the right to detain people without laying charges.

Liberals pledged a political truce Many hoped this would unite the English and French. By Sept there were 32,000 volunteers, (it sounded like a grand adventure!)

Britain still controlled Canada’s foreign policy When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was included automatically Most English Canadians supported the war because of patriotic feelings towards the British Empire French Canadians were not so enthusiastic in their support.

Prime Minister Borden promised 25,000 troops 30,000 Canadians enlisted in the first month Reasons: British patriotism, adventure, honour, travel, a job Women – Supporting roles; nurses or ambulance drivers Minorities – at first not allowed to enlist; eventually accepted. More on that later.

A National Identity Emerges When Canada joined the war, its army swelled from 3,000 to 30,000 soldiers. Young men from all over Canada went to Camp Valcartier, Quebec training centre Brought Canadians together, developed unity and identity. Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Fought as an independent unit during the War

Google Images: Valcartier- https://www.google.ca/search?q=valcartier+in+ww1&biw=1366&bih=589&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXyt-a8czPAhUH4WMKHdQRBw8Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=s5dyy9wF3PfArM%3A

Sam Hughes Minister of the Militia

Sam Hughes Gave manufacturing contracts to friends- war profiteering. Issued $ 170 million in contracts, only $5.5 million worth of shells were produced. Poor quality, faulty equipment and supplies (the Ross Rifle) Behind schedule. Fired in 1916- but he had already been knighted by the King.

The War Measures Act Prime Minister Borden introduced the War Measures Act in August 1914. This Act was a law meant to ensure “security, defence, peace, order, and welfare of Canada”. But what did it mean to the average Canadian? What effect did the War Measures Act have on the legal rights of Canadians?

Gave the government sweeping powers. It could pass bills without parliamentary debate. It could intervene in the economy: business, transportation, trade, production, etc. Limited civil liberties; habeas corpus was suspended- this meant that the police could detain people without laying charges. Habeas corpus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Measures_Act

“Enemy Aliens” recent immigrants from certain countries (Germany, Austria) could be detained and deported or imprisoned. Also had to carry special ID cards and report regularly to registration officers. More than 8500 people were held in isolation in internment camps.

These policies may have fostered Canadian nationalism, but they also reinforced prejudice. Led to attacks on German owned clubs and business.