Canada Goes to War ______________________________ War on the Homefront

William Lyon Mackenzie KingWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King “Thanks to the skill and devotion of our men and women, Canada is a granary, an arsenal, an airdrome, and a shipyard of freedom”

Canada’s War Plan 1. The defence and security of Canada 2. The production of food supplies for Britain 3.he production of weapons and ammunitions for Allied forces 4. Training for Allied pilots 5. development of RCAF for home defence and overseas duty 6. Development of RCN for home defence and convoy duty 7. development of Canadian army for home defence and overseas duty

How did the Canadian Government pay for war weapons? Income taxes increased Victory Bonds

What Occurred at “Home”? Rationing: – every Canadian received a ration book, coupons used from book at time of purchase of butter, sugar etc. –Last car produced in 1942, gas rationed –Steel used for bombers instead of washing machines –Nickel now made from zinc Recycling: –paper, metal, rags, rubber, bones Handmade: –Socks, scarves, etc.

Children and the War Effort Enlisting –700,000 Canadian soldiers under the age of 21 –older-looking 13 year olds enlisted –if denied military service would join the Merchant Navy (transport troops and goods overseas)‏

Children and the War Effort 2 Helping with the War Effort –work on farms –school: no attendance check, new material taught after harvest –driver’s licence lowered to 14 –cadet corps –write letters overseas –befriended British refugee children –recycle and collect materials in return for free movie passes –bought War Savings Stamps –Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - fundraising to buy items for the war effort (trucks, ambulances, bonds)‏

Canadian Women at War As Civilians –600,000 permanent to 1,200,000 –took jobs previously only for men –worked with men in factories, on airfields, on farms –built parts for ships, aeroplanes, ammunition –drove buses, taxis, streetcars –smaller physique and manual dexterity = fine precision work in electronics etc. –Joined war relief clubs to improve morale of troops overseas (usually with care packages)‏ –adhered to many forms of rationing

Canadian Women at War 2 In the Service –lobbied government to form military organizations for women (achieved in )‏ –50,000+ women served in armed forces –21,600 CWACS = Canadian Women’s Army Corps –7,100 WRENS = Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service –17,400 WDs = Women’s Division RCAF –4,480 in Nursing Service –positions included: mechanics, parachute riggers, wireless operators, clerks and photographers

Another Conscription Crisis PM King’s fear of divided English and French Canada King promised that he would never bring in conscription despite his promise, in 1940 the government passed the National Resources Mobilization Act - a law that authorized limited conscription of Canadian men pressure put on King to increase Canada’s contribution, including soldiers (Hitler invades USSR)‏ plebiscite - asked voters whether they would permit King to break his earlier promise English and French Canadians were split King says “Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary” - in order to reassure French Canadians

Canada’s Wartime Economy In 1939 Canada was not prepared for war (ex. 500,000 unemployed Canadians, few factories etc.)‏ Canada’s total industrial production rose 47% 1942 $2.5mil being spent on Canada’s war industry Victory Bonds –sold in order to finance war efforts –in exchange for lending the government money, individuals and corporations were given the government’s written promise to repay the money with interest at a specific time in the future Profiteers –under the table selling of goods to the highest bidders Rationing

Research and Development Aircraft Ski Anti-Fog windshield fluids, de-icers Artificial fur (for arctic conditions)‏ synthetic rubber (90%)‏ studied motion sickness, Anti-G suit Alouette satellite nuclear energy research which led to CANDU power generator Radar Canadian Anti-Acoustic torpedo (CAT)‏ Magnetism: to detect mines and submerged submarines Anti-gas fabrics and anti-mould and fungus protection for clothing and equipment Freeze-dried and Condensed Food (ex. Eggs, milk) =