1. Canada Reacts to War

2. Lead up to War German Rearmament (1935) Reoccupation of the Rhineland (1936) Anschluss with Austria (1938) Sudetenland Crisis (1938) Munich Conference (1938) Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939) Invasion of Poland (Sept 1, 1939)

3. World War One Memories 65,000 Dead in the “war to end all wars” Nation-building Conscription tore the country apart

4. Canada’s Reaction ISOLATIONISTS - Canada remained isolationist in the late 1930’s. PACIFISTS - moral belief against war The horrors of WW1 were not yet forgotten. The effects of the Depression were still being felt. PM King decides to visit Germany himself

5. Isolationist People who hold the belief that one’s country should keep separate from the politics and disputes of other countries

6. Pacifist 1. A person who is opposed to war or to violence of any kind. This may cause him or her to refuse being drafted into military service. - Compare conscientious objector.

8. Britain at War!

10. Canada goes to war A special session of Parliament was called on Sept. 7. Canada remained neutral until Sept. 10 Parliament approved the Prime Minister's request to go to war. King George VI announced declared war on Germany in the name of Canada the same day.

12. The Declaration The largest broadcast that had ever been made from Canada it was a worldwide broadcast. Was Canada ready for war?

13. Was Canada Ready for War? 4500 Regular soldiers 51,000 reservists (partially trained) 20 modern combat planes 6 Destroyers (smallest ocean-going ship) King promised only volunteers would be sent to fight

14. Canada in 1939 Population: 11 million 750,000 unemployed Largest city is Montreal 9 provinces and 2 territories

15. Why go to war? Canada is now an autonomous nation No direct threat from Hitler Very small armed forces Many opposed the war –JS Woodsworth –Pacifists –Isolationists

16. The Decision Parliament will decide… A special session of Parliament was called on Sept. 7. Canada remained neutral until Sept. 10 Parliament approved the Prime Minister's request to go to war. King George VI announced declared war on Germany in the name of Canada the same day.

17. PM Mackenzie King believed entrance into the war was "a self-evident national duty."

18. Canada goes to war A special session of Parliament was called on Sept. 7. Canada remained neutral until Sept. 10 Parliament approved the Prime Minister's request to go to war. King George VI announced declared war on Germany in the name of Canada the same day.

20. The End…