1. Canada and the First World War

2. When Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, Canada went to War too.
“It is our duty to let Great Britain know and to let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart and that all Canadians are behind the Mother Country."
-Prime Minister Robert Borden

3. Describe the scene in the picture.
What does this photograph tell you about people’s attitudes towards the war in 1914?

4. Not everyone was enthusiastic about the war
Not everyone was enthusiastic about the war. Canada was divided between those who were eager to support Britain and those who were opposed.

5. The Canadian government used posters to encourage participation in the war effort. Some posters attempted to convince French Canadians that military service was honourable, natural because of their links with France, and necessary.

6. The poster campaign worked much better for English speaking Canadians
The poster campaign worked much better for English speaking Canadians. They had a loyalty to Britain and wanted to help. But as the war went on, more soldiers were needed.

7. Who do you think this person is?
Why do you think he has been chosen for this poster?
He was in charge of the recruitment of troops, and was very successful in getting men to volunteer.
What makes this poster so effective?
Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener - Secretary of State for War in Britain during WW1.

8. Most French Canadians were furious when in 1917 Prime Minister Borden passed a conscription law. They did not believe Canada should force them to help the British.
Conscription:
a law to force men to join the army and fight in the war.

9. Not everyone had to be conscripted
Not everyone had to be conscripted. This is a 15 year old soldier from Australia who enlisted voluntarily. These young soldiers had to lie about their age in order to join.

11. 1917 Conscription Crisis