World War I Life on the Home Front

Paying for the War Canadian economy booming Canadian economy booming Supplying war effort (very expensive: new technology, huge numbers of troops) Supplying war effort (very expensive: new technology, huge numbers of troops) Goods go to Europe, prices rise in Canada, wages stay the same, profiteers happy, workers unhappy Goods go to Europe, prices rise in Canada, wages stay the same, profiteers happy, workers unhappy Rationing Rationing Limiting consumption of food and supplies so more available for the soldiers Limiting consumption of food and supplies so more available for the soldiers Victory Bonds Victory Bonds Patriotic savings bonds sold to public to finance war Patriotic savings bonds sold to public to finance war Income Tax Income Tax “temporary” tax still not enough, money borrowed from other countries “temporary” tax still not enough, money borrowed from other countries

Changing Role of Women Took over many jobs left vacant by soldiers Took over many jobs left vacant by soldiers Traditionally “male” jobs Traditionally “male” jobs Supported the country in time of need Supported the country in time of need New responsibilities = New rights New responsibilities = New rights Suffrage movement (Nellie McClung) Suffrage movement (Nellie McClung) Manitoba first province to allow women to vote (1916) Manitoba first province to allow women to vote (1916) British Columbia in 1917; federally in 1918 British Columbia in 1917; federally in 1918

Changing Role of Women

Propaganda Propaganda – information presented in a certain way to spread particular beliefs and emotions (Examples: p. 25, 38) Propaganda – information presented in a certain way to spread particular beliefs and emotions (Examples: p. 25, 38)

Propaganda War Measures Act + Propaganda = Control War Measures Act + Propaganda = Control Posters, movies, magazines, radio, speeches, etc. Posters, movies, magazines, radio, speeches, etc. Bent truth, sometimes outright lied (casualty numbers) Bent truth, sometimes outright lied (casualty numbers) Propaganda played on fear, patriotism, racism Propaganda played on fear, patriotism, racism Led to prejudice/discrimination (Berlin, Ontario) Led to prejudice/discrimination (Berlin, Ontario) Encouraged enlistment, economic support, rationing, etc. Encouraged enlistment, economic support, rationing, etc.

Halifax Disaster December 6, 1917 December 6, 1917 Destruction of WWI came to Canada Destruction of WWI came to Canada French ship, Mont Blanc, collided with another ship in Halifax harbour French ship, Mont Blanc, collided with another ship in Halifax harbour Carrying 2500 tons of dynamite and munitions Carrying 2500 tons of dynamite and munitions Explosion and fires killed more than 2000 people; 10,000 wounded; 25,000 left homeless Explosion and fires killed more than 2000 people; 10,000 wounded; 25,000 left homeless One of the worst disasters in Canadian history One of the worst disasters in Canadian history

Halifax Disaster