1939 – 1945 Second World War

European political and economic climate The Great Depression caused socio - political unrest in Europe. This led to a fascists ideology in Italy, Spain and more specifically Germany. Fascism: ideology that promotes a totalitarian regime founded on extreme nationalism In 1933, Adolf Hitler was elected. His speeches were militaristic, nationalistic and discriminatory. His discriminatory ideology was mainly against Jews. He thought that Jews were the reason for Germany’s problems

1939: Start of the Second World War The Second World war was initiated by the invasion of Poland France, the United Kingdom and Canada declared war on Germany Germany, Italy and Japan vs. France, UK and Canada 1941: US and USSR join the Allied powers

Federal Government The Second World War induced the great mobilization of men, women and resources. Unlike the First World War, Canada now made its own decisions (defence and international relations) Canada, under the WLMK government wanted to give its full commitment with military and resources to defeat Nazi Germany and the Axis powers.

War Measures 1939: War Measures Act is implemented The Act allowed the Federal government to put in place measures that were essential for the war Enabled the government to control the economy to ensure war production, control prices, and wages. Material such as rubber, fuel and nylon was rationed

Resources June 1940: National Resources Mobilization Act Allowed a country wide registration for men for home defence Created the Department of Munitions and Supply Managed the production of munitions and regulated war supplies

Immigration and Population As the First World War, Canada changed its immigration policy. It reduced the number of immigrants It closed the door to many Europeans trying to escape Nazi Germany Interned many Canadians who were originally from enemy countries in work camps Camillien Houde

Canada’s War Effort Canada mobilized all of its material, food, military and financial resources for defeat the enemy. Industrial production and exports were on a rise Tanks, ships, planes and food production

War Time production/ Financial resources Victory Bonds: The federal government spent 35 million dollars in 1938 and ended up spending 4.24 billion dollars in 1943.

Plebiscite During the first years of the war, soldiers went to Europe on a voluntary basis only. In 1942, the federal government organized a plebiscite It asked the population to release it from its past promise of not imposing conscription if it came necessary to deploy soldiers the front.

Plebiscite Most French Canadians refused to release the government from its promise. However, since the majority of the Canadian population was English, the government’s request was granted.

Conscription In 1944, the government had no choice but to impose conscription for overseas service. 16,000 soldiers enlisted in 1944 and 13,000 were sent to Europe. However, only 2500 actually fought in the war.

The Godbout government: 1939 – 1944 In 1939, when the war broke out in Europe, provincial elections were held in Quebec. Maurice Duplessis’ Union National and Adélard Godbout’s Liberal Party were seeking election In 1939 the Godbout’s Liberal Party won the election and commenced on a series of reforms in Quebec. One of the main reasons for his victory in 1939 was the support of the federal government.

Quebec on Conscription Even though the Canadian government promised that they would not impose conscription, the campaign gave the candidates the platform to express their opposition on the issue.

Federal & Provincial relations Many changes rose between federal and provincial relations throughout the Second World War. The Godbout government maintained close ties with the federal Liberals in Ottawa Canada’s federal government and Godbout’s Quebec government had a common commitment to the war effort. The federal government passed a law that enabled the federal government to levy income taxes for a predetermined time towards the war efforts. As compensation to Quebec, and other provinces, provincial governments received an annual sum from Ottawa. In addition, the federal government intervened in many provincial jurisdictions. In 1940, Ottawa created unemployment insurance and a family allowance in 1944

Godbout Reforms The Liberal Party did not share the same values of the conservative and traditional Union Nationale. Once the Godbout government was elected, it commenced its series of reforms that promoted democratization and modernization of the French Canadian Society

Godbout Reforms In 1944, the Godbout government embarked on the nationalization of the provinces largest hydroelectric companies: the Montreal Light, Heat and Power Company. This created the provinces new hydro electric commission: Hydro Quebec Godbout wanted the province to gain more control over its economy and be les dependent on other large businesses.

Women Women were called to participate in the war effort, and more specifically the rationing and salvaging of materials 1942: Women started to work in factories to compensate for the labour shortages 265,000 women worked in labour factories in 1944 After much pressure from women’s movements, the Canadian government called on women to join the women’s divisions of Canada’s armed forces Women during the Second World War

Women and Work As women closed the labour shortages, they were still paid with lower wages than men. However, their employment increased their standard of living and gave them financial autonomy After the war, some women decided to keep their jobs, which results in a demand for greater employment and pay equity. Although, many women were laid off when soldiers returned home

Life in Nazi Germany Hitler rose to power in 1933 with his Nazism ideology Racists ideologies and German superiority Discriminatory rules against minorities who were inferior such as Jews Hitler also hunted down intellectuals who would spread contradicting ideas

Life in Nazi Germany Hitler burned thousands of books Intellectuals were forced to flee the country and others were sent to concentration camps. Individuals who were disabled, homosexual and other minorities were also persecuted August Landmesser

The holocaust Refers to the period between 1933 – 1945 where six million European Jews were persecuted and exterminated. Moreover, other groups such as the Roma, the homosexuals and the disabled were also victims of these acts. This period of time was rooted in a anti-semitic ideology which is the directed hostility against Jews. During 1933, the Nazi Regime implemented concentration camps.

Normandy Thousands of Canadian soldiers took part in the Operation and landed on a beach that was code – named “Juno” More than 350 never returned home. The Normandy landing marked the beginning of liberation for several countries that were occupied by German forces. German forces gradually retreated to Germany and ultimately capitulated.

The end of the WAr August 1943 leaders from the United States and United met Quebec City to discussed preparations for large a scale military operation. This large operation took place on June 6, 1944 on the shores of Normandy In May 1945, Hitler surrendered. However, now another country was the target... Atomic Bomb

The Return home With the end of the second world war in 1945, the federal government reduced the number of enlisted in the Canadian Army. As veteran’s returned home, civilian life was facilitated by the economic life that continued much after the war. Many veterans struggled with physical and psychological scar after the war

Second World War Resources Textbook Notes Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqhdrIQYVXo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO7FH-jpRls&t=12s