A Canadian Perspective World War I A Canadian Perspective

Curriculum Connection 11.3.4 Essential Question: How was Canada’s identity as a nation shaped by the First World War and by its changing relationship to Great Britain and the world? Essential Understandings: Britain has played a significant role in shaping Canada’s history and identity Canada continues to be influenced by issues of war and peace, and international relations Since the beginning of the 20th C, Canada has played an increasingly active role in world affairs

World War I: The “Great War” • The First World War started in August 1914. • It would last for more than 4 years. • About 9 million people in uniform were killed. • 20 million civilians were killed.

What Started WWI? Four Major Factors: Militarism Imperialism Nationalism Military Alliances

What Started WWI: Militarism In the early 1900s, European nations (especially Germany) began to build up their militaries They wanted to compete with Britain (largest navy) and Russia (largest army) This “Arms Race” lead to a dangerous buildup of weapons Advances in technology led to new and more dangerous weapons

What Started WWI: Imperialism Britain controlled more than one-quarter of the world’s land mass Other European countries (esp. Germany) wanted more land and resources Animosity between nations, esp. Britain and Germany, grew

What Started WWI: Nationalism Some Europeans wanted to unite with others of the same ethnicity. Example: Austria-Hungary had 50 million Austrians, Hungarians, Bosnians, Ukrainians, Serbs, and more. Many of these groups wanted independent countries. Many Serbs living in Bosnia and Herzegovina (part of Austria-Hungary at the time) wanted to become part of Serbia. Serbian nationalists agreed. Serbia worried about being overtaken by Austria-Hungary.

What Started WWI: Military Alliances There were two major military alliances in Europe in 1914: Triple Entente (Allies): Britain (and Canada!) Russia France The Triple Alliance (Central Powers) Germany Austria-Hungary Turkey

Military Alliances A military alliance means that members will protect each other and attack enemy countries if a member is threatened = domino effect Italy switched and joined the Allies in 1915; the U.S. and Japan later joined the Allies as well

The situation was so tense before the war that many called Europe a “powder keg waiting to explode”.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on June 28, 1914. Sarajevo, Bosnia was the scene of the Austrian Archduke's assassination, the spark that ignited the First World War. George Metcalf Archival Collection

Map Activity: Pre War Europe, 1914 Using the map on page 290, outline a map with a key that indicates: Triple Alliance Triple Entente Countries that “switched” camps or joined the war later Neutral countries 1914-1918 Sarajevo, Bosnia

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand This set off a chain of events that led to the start of WWI in early August 1914. Activity: Make a flow chart or other graphic organizer to show the chain of events that led to the assassination of Ferdinand and WWI. Textbook p. 291 can help.

Flowchart Answer Key

Canada and WWI August 4, 1914: Canada at War When Britain went to war on August 4, Canada and Newfoundland were automatically at war. The Canadian Parliament unanimously decided to support Britain in the war Canadian identity strengthened due to our involvement

It is not fitting that I should prolong this debate It is not fitting that I should prolong this debate. In the awful dawn of the greatest war the world has ever known….as to our duty, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain and the other British dominions in this quarrel. And that duty we shall not fail to fulfil as the honour of Canada demands…for the cause of honour, to maintain solemn pledges…in the very name of the peace that we sought at any cost….we have entered into this war; and, while gravely conscious of the tremendous issues involved and of all the sacrifices that they may entail, we do not shrink from them, but with firm hearts we abide the event. -Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, declares his intentions regarding the First World War in the House of Commons on August 14th, 1914

Canada and WWI Conservative Prime Minister Robert Borden promised there would be no conscription Promised to provide 25,000 troops even though our army at the time was 3,000. Men volunteered by the thousands. The first recruits went overseas on October 3, 1914. Many thought they would be home by Christmas.

WWI Then and Now The Western Front 1914-1916 http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/ng-interactive/2014/jul/25/the-western-front-in-the-first-world-war-and-now-interactive

Workshop Topics: Canadian Battles of WWI A Soldier’s Life: Trench Warfare Involvement of Aboriginal Peoples Conscription The Home Front: Role of Women The Home Front: Propaganda The Home Front: Enemy Aliens