The War at Home

Canada Goes to War

Canada’s Response To WWI In 1914 Canada was still a dominion of Great Britain In 1914 Canada was still a dominion of Great Britain  Great Britain still controlled It’s Dominions foreign policy  This meant that when Britain went to war Canada, along with the rest of the British Empire, also went to war.

Support Canada automatically entered the war as part of the British Empire Canada automatically entered the war as part of the British Empire Support for going to war in Europe was widespread Support for going to war in Europe was widespread  Canada offered Britain a force of men trained, equipped, and paid for by the Canadian government  While Canada only had regular army soldiers, it had over militia (citizen soldiers trained for emergencies)

Support Cont. In 1914, Newfoundland was not a part of Canada, so while some Newfoundlanders joined Canadian regiments, most became members of the Newfoundland Regiment In 1914, Newfoundland was not a part of Canada, so while some Newfoundlanders joined Canadian regiments, most became members of the Newfoundland Regiment  To supplement Canadian forces, the government sent out a call for volunteers to join for $1 a day – over Canadians volunteered

The People’s Response Responses to Canada’s involvement in the war varied. Responses to Canada’s involvement in the war varied. Those Canadian’s of British decent were enthusiastic, while the Francophone (native French speaking) and population and the Maritime provinces were far less interested in Canadian involvement in a war overseas. Those Canadian’s of British decent were enthusiastic, while the Francophone (native French speaking) and population and the Maritime provinces were far less interested in Canadian involvement in a war overseas. Why would the Canadiens and the Maritime provinces be less interested in going to war in Europe than those Canadian’s of British heritage? Why would the Canadiens and the Maritime provinces be less interested in going to war in Europe than those Canadian’s of British heritage?

Why Did They Join? Sense of patriotism – Canadians felt proud to fight for their country, and many English Canadian felt strong sentimental ties to Britain (remember that recent immigrants from Britain were the first to volunteer) Sense of patriotism – Canadians felt proud to fight for their country, and many English Canadian felt strong sentimental ties to Britain (remember that recent immigrants from Britain were the first to volunteer) Feelings of excitement and adventure – many young men viewed war as a “great adventure,” a chance to see the world, and the opportunity to be a hero Feelings of excitement and adventure – many young men viewed war as a “great adventure,” a chance to see the world, and the opportunity to be a hero

War Was An Exciting Opportunity! The Toronto ‘Mail and Empire,’ Aug The Toronto ‘Mail and Empire,’ Aug Cheer after cheer from the crowds of people who waited long and anxiously for the announcement of Great Britain’s position in the present conflict in Europe greeted the news that the Mother Country had declared war against Germany. Groups of men sang “Rule Britannia,” others joined in singing “God Save the King”; some showed their sense of seriousness of the situation by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”… Originally PM Robert Border offered Britain 25,000 troops, but 30,000 signed up in the first month. Originally PM Robert Border offered Britain 25,000 troops, but 30,000 signed up in the first month. Largely people thought the war would be over by Christmas. Largely people thought the war would be over by Christmas.

War For Everyone? Women were considered too frail and emotional to join in battle. Women were considered too frail and emotional to join in battle. Women were supposed to support their male counterparts in going overseas. Women were supposed to support their male counterparts in going overseas. Hundreds of women joined as nurses and ambulance drivers to serve overseas Hundreds of women joined as nurses and ambulance drivers to serve overseas Originally no Aboriginal males were allowed to enlist. Later this was retracted. African and Japanese Canadians were also carefully scrutinized. Originally no Aboriginal males were allowed to enlist. Later this was retracted. African and Japanese Canadians were also carefully scrutinized.

Training the Troops Sir Sam Hughes was Canada’s Minister of Militia and Defence at the beginning of the war Sir Sam Hughes was Canada’s Minister of Militia and Defence at the beginning of the war Hughes set up a training camp at Valcartier, Quebec Hughes set up a training camp at Valcartier, Quebec Troops were issued the Canadian-made Ross Rifle, which was good for sharp shooting, but poor in trench warfare (they jammed with mud) Troops were issued the Canadian-made Ross Rifle, which was good for sharp shooting, but poor in trench warfare (they jammed with mud)

Volunteers or Amateurs? The majority of Canada’s volunteer military had no real training. The majority of Canada’s volunteer military had no real training. They were rushed through general training.They were rushed through general training. Soldiers who served Canada became patriotic and developed a national identity. Soldiers who served Canada became patriotic and developed a national identity. We had always been BritishWe had always been British The war carved out a new ‘Canadian’ image.The war carved out a new ‘Canadian’ image.

War Profiteers War is often said to help economies. War is often said to help economies. War Profiteers are those who make a large profit making goods for war (shells, outfits, artillery, guns, etc.) War Profiteers are those who make a large profit making goods for war (shells, outfits, artillery, guns, etc.) Canadians had to use poorly designed Ross Rifles and boots that fell apart in the rain. Canadians had to use poorly designed Ross Rifles and boots that fell apart in the rain. Joseph Flavelle was accused of profiteering

The Halifax Explosion 1917 A French munitions ship carrying explosives collided with another vessel in the Halifax harbour A French munitions ship carrying explosives collided with another vessel in the Halifax harbour Following the collision a huge explosion leveled sections of Halifax. Following the collision a huge explosion leveled sections of Halifax. Over 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were injured Over 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were injured $30 million dollars was collected world wide to help the city $30 million dollars was collected world wide to help the city

Halifax Explosion

War Measures Act Because Canada was at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, the government feared that recent immigrants or citizens originally from enemy countries (Enemy Aliens) would sabotage or spy for the enemy Because Canada was at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, the government feared that recent immigrants or citizens originally from enemy countries (Enemy Aliens) would sabotage or spy for the enemy Enacted in 1914 to place restrictions on Enemy Aliens Enacted in 1914 to place restrictions on Enemy Aliens

War Measures Act cont’ Enemy aliens could be arrested, searched and sent to internment camps without proof of any illegal activity Enemy aliens could be arrested, searched and sent to internment camps without proof of any illegal activity The majority of people who were interned were Ukrainians The majority of people who were interned were Ukrainians

War Measures Act cont’ Government also introduced censorship Government also introduced censorship Banned publication of books and magazines in enemy languagesBanned publication of books and magazines in enemy languages

The War At Home - Economy As the war progressed trade with allied countries was skyrocketing. Canada shipped so much to Europe that we ran low on certain goods and prices increased. As the war progressed trade with allied countries was skyrocketing. Canada shipped so much to Europe that we ran low on certain goods and prices increased. food and fuel especially became scarce food and fuel especially became scarce Honour rationing was introducedHonour rationing was introduced people limited themselves to a pound and a half of butter and two pounds of sugar a month people limited themselves to a pound and a half of butter and two pounds of sugar a month ban on the sale and drinking of alcohol ban on the sale and drinking of alcohol

Economy – cont’ The war required an immense amount of money which the government was in short supply. The war required an immense amount of money which the government was in short supply. During the war Canada also brought in the ‘temporary’ Income Tax (1917) to help raise money (but is still collected to this day). During the war Canada also brought in the ‘temporary’ Income Tax (1917) to help raise money (but is still collected to this day). Still they ran a deficit and had to borrow from the US. Still they ran a deficit and had to borrow from the US.

Economy cont’ The government sold ‘Victory Bonds’ to patriotic Canadians. Victory Bonds were cash upfront to the government in exchange for cash back at the end of the war. The government sold ‘Victory Bonds’ to patriotic Canadians. Victory Bonds were cash upfront to the government in exchange for cash back at the end of the war. By the end of the war, the government had spent $3 billion on the war, and Canada’s debt was $150 million per year for 4 years By the end of the war, the government had spent $3 billion on the war, and Canada’s debt was $150 million per year for 4 years

Victory Bond Advertisements

The Conscription Crisis By 1917, with the war dragging on, the number of men required to continue holding the trenches overseas outnumbered our reserves. PM Borden had promised no conscription (the compulsory/mandatory enlistment of men into the army). When he became convinced there was no other option he created the Military Service Act (1917) mandatory military service for men aged mandatory military service for men aged Only those vital to wartime production jobs, those who were sick, or conscientious objectors / pacifists (those for whom fighting was against religious beliefs) were not forced to joinOnly those vital to wartime production jobs, those who were sick, or conscientious objectors / pacifists (those for whom fighting was against religious beliefs) were not forced to join

Conscription Crisis cont’ There was a huge worry that conscription would divide the nation. Farms, businesses and factories were running out of workers already (even with women in the workforce). There was a huge worry that conscription would divide the nation. Farms, businesses and factories were running out of workers already (even with women in the workforce).

The Conscription Crisis - Continued Worried about splitting the nation Borden calls an election over the issue of conscription. To help ensure his victory in the election he passed: Worried about splitting the nation Borden calls an election over the issue of conscription. To help ensure his victory in the election he passed: the Military Voters Act (1917) the Military Voters Act (1917) Gave the vote to men and women serving overseas (including minorities – but their right to vote was revoked at the end of the war)Gave the vote to men and women serving overseas (including minorities – but their right to vote was revoked at the end of the war) The Wartime Elections Act (1917)_ The Wartime Elections Act (1917)_ Gave the vote to women directly related to service menGave the vote to women directly related to service men

Conscription Crisis cont’ In the end Borden won the election with a Wartime Coalition government called the Union Government with English-speaking members of the Liberal party who supported Conscription. In the end Borden won the election with a Wartime Coalition government called the Union Government with English-speaking members of the Liberal party who supported Conscription. Almost none of the conscripted men saw action overseas. Almost none of the conscripted men saw action overseas.

Conscription Crisis Created long-lasting tensions between French and English Canada Anti- conscription Riot in Montreal

The Changing Role of Women As we have discussed, women made a significant contribution to the labour force during WWI. As we have discussed, women made a significant contribution to the labour force during WWI. Without the efforts of women on the home front, Canada’s wartime economy would have collapsed. Without the efforts of women on the home front, Canada’s wartime economy would have collapsed. The war effort at home helped strengthen women’s push for the vote and it paid off in 1916 starting with Manitoba provincially. The war effort at home helped strengthen women’s push for the vote and it paid off in 1916 starting with Manitoba provincially. By 1918, all women were granted the federal vote By 1918, all women were granted the federal vote

Women’s Role - Volunteering With many men serving overseas, women had to take on new roles within Canada With many men serving overseas, women had to take on new roles within Canada Some women volunteered for the Red Cross Some women volunteered for the Red Cross Women knitted and sewed goods to be sent to the Front Women knitted and sewed goods to be sent to the Front

Women – knit and sewed items to be sent to the front

Women’s Role - Work Prior to the war women had been employed at low-skill, low paying jobs in food and clothing industries. Or were employed as domestic servants Prior to the war women had been employed at low-skill, low paying jobs in food and clothing industries. Or were employed as domestic servants A great demand for labour was created when Canada increased industrial production A great demand for labour was created when Canada increased industrial production Women were hired for a variety of work: Women were hired for a variety of work: operating fishing boats in the Atlanticoperating fishing boats in the Atlantic running prairie farmsrunning prairie farms working in munitions factories where shells were manufacturedworking in munitions factories where shells were manufactured driving delivery trucksdriving delivery trucks

Women in Factories

Women –Nurses in Europe

Propaganda As A Tool of War When you have a war that is lasting years and killing millions of soldiers you need a way to control public dissent against the cause. Propaganda was (and is) an effective way to pressure the citizenship to continue supporting the effort. There are many different ways of creating emotion in propaganda, including: 1. Convincing people they are not doing enough. 2. Showing the enemy as inhumane and cruel. 3. Putting pictures of the helpless who need us. 4. Advertising ways we can help the cause.