War on the Canadian Homefront S. Todd CHC 2DI

Total War War is seen as a total effort by the whole country, not just the soldiers on the front in Europe

Total War Fuel and food were scarce and Canadians were asked to conserve Honour rationing, “meatless” and “fuelless” days, no alcohol

Financing Victory Bonds -Canadians bought bonds and then received their money back (plus interest) after the war Income Tax -3% tax as a “temporary” measure in 1917 to help pay for war -at end of war, still $2 billion debt

Manufacturing and Supply Imperial Munitions Board -organized factories and production -factories were made to produce products and materials for war -Canada made 1/3 of the shells used by the Allies -huge growth of industrial workforce to produce for the war

Manufacturing and Supply Sam Hughes (Minister of Militia) -controversial -profiteering – made deals with buddies to produce inferior war products and profited from them (Ross rifle, cardboard in boots, $170 million spent…$5.5 million in goods received

Women During WWI Some went to the frontlines to serve as nurses Women who stayed on the homefront began to work in factories -discovered that it wasn’t “too hard” This gives them time to meet and organize for suffrage (the right to vote)

Women’s Suffrage Canadian women gained the right to vote in a sporadic fashion: In the controversial Wartime Elections Act of 1917, the federal vote was extended to women in the armed forces, and to female relatives of military men (helped Borden) 1918, all female citizens aged 21+ became eligible to vote in federal elections Women weren’t able to vote in all provinces until 1940!

Advice from the Canadian Government Use nut-butter or margarine (not butter) Remake leftover bread into new bread, cake or pudding Instead of one beefless day, why not try for six to make up for the people who are less patriotic? Eat as little cake and pastry as you can Use oats, corn, barley, and rye instead of wheat

Advice from the Canadian Government Use ham and pork bones in other dishes Chew your food thoroughly – you will be satisfied with less All kinds of cold cereal can be saved to be rolled into balls and fried Cut each slice of bread as required Mix your own cleansers (baking soda, vinegar, soap, chalk)

Advice from the Canadian Government 11. $50 million is thrown away in wasted food annually 12. Do not display the roast on meat on the table – it make you want to eat more than you need 13. Do not eat both butter and jam with bread