Canada Goes To War!!! Overview  Why would Canadians, want to volunteer to fight in war which was being fought thousand of kilometers away?  Many Canadians could not even locate Serbia on a map?  Invasion of Belgium  Canadian PM Sir Robert Borden

The War Began… On the night of August 4, 1914, Great Britain declares war on Germany! The next day, August 5 th 1914, the Governor-General of Canada issued a document which began… “Whereas a state of war now exists between this country (Canada) and Germany…” The NEW Conservative Government Sir Robert Borden-had the responsibility of rallying the nation to Britain’s side during WW1.

The First Canadian Contingent… 33,000, Canadian soldiers reached England soon after the outbreak of war in Furthermore, fighting escalating later in the second battle of Ypres. The four divisions of the Canada Corps earned an outstanding reputation as a fighting force. More significant, however, was the fact that Canada was playing a respectable role on the world stage, a role that would soon help undo its colonial status!!!!!!

 The Canadian forces at the outset were made up wholly of volunteers. Casualties and the rapidly accelerating pace of the war made the bitter question of conscription a major issue by Volunteers!

Canada Prepares to Defend the Empire!  Canada was ill-prepared to fight this war and Borden knew that he had to act quickly to change the situation.  He appointed Sam Hughes as his minister of militia and gave him orders to establish, organize and train a Canadian contingent to support the British forces.  However, he was suspicious of the French Canadians—he felt that many did not contribute their fair share during the Boer War.  Hughes established a training base at Valcartier, Quebec, and soon the first group of volunteers arrived.  Once the men were deemed ready they were placed on troop ships and to England.

The War Measures Act! The law was meant to protect the nation from threats of war for the security, defense, peace, and order of Canada. The War Measures Act enabled the government to:  Censor and suppress publications, writing, maps, plans photographs and means of communication.  Arrest, detain, exclude and deport persons.  Controls harbors, ports and territorial waters of Canada and the movements of vessels.  Control the transport of persons and things by air, land, or water.  Control trade  Dispose of property and the use thereof.

The War Measures Act and Prejudice German and Austrian Descent The act gave the Canadian government wide ranging powers. Including putting restrictions on Canadians citizens of German and Austrian descent. Newspaper carried stories demanding that all such immigrants be arrested or deported!

Canadian Contribution on the War Front! Canada’s first group of soldiers arrived in Britain on October 14, Along with troops was a contingent of women who were nurses, ambulance drivers and clerks in staff offices. In all 2000 women worked as nurses and 6000 worked for the civil service in a number of essential government positions. Gas Attack!! The troops were sent to Ypres area (France) and occupied a series of trenches between the British forces and French colonial forces. The Germans released their secret weapon—and when the gas reached the first line of trenches young Canadian were victims of the first gas attack in history.

Canadian Soldiers Battle of Ypres

Canadian Soldiers Dig In  The trenches were dug in a zigzag patters to avoid an entire line of troops from being killed if an artillery shell it a section.  The trenches were organized into front line trenches and connected by communication lines.  The second line of trenches included medical areas, latrines and rest areas.  The trenches were quickly filled with sea water and many men suffered from a condition called trench foot.

Next Lesson…  War in the air  War at Sea  Vimy Ridge  Propaganda  On the Home Front  Women in the War