1. Canada Enters WWI

2. Background
July 28, 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated & WWI began
August 4, 1914 – Canada declared war on Germany & Germany’s allies
Did Canada make its own decision to join the war?
No. Canada was at war the minute Britain declared war on Germany because we were their dominion
A dominion is a former colony which has the power to make decisions about internal affairs but not international affairs.

3. Supporters of the War
Most English-speaking Canadians of British origin, were keen to support Britain
Conservative government (led by PM Borden) & the Liberal opposition (Wilfred Laurier)
Borden offered 25,000 troops
(only 3,000 regular soldiers at that time)

4. ATTITUDES TOWARD’S CANADA’S ENTRY
“We are part of the British Empire, so of course we are at war. That si the law. We must now decide on the kind of aid that we should send to Britain. I believe that we should send soldiers to fight alongside the British army in France. Canadians, I’m sure, will be proud to fight for their King and country”
Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada Aug 18, 1914
“We are at war. That is the law. It is now my job to decide just what to do about this sad fact. My hope is that the war will soon be over and our help will not be needed. We should offer both money and food to France and Britain.”
Wilfred Laurier, Leader of the Opposition
Aug 18, 1914

5. Recruiting Soldiers
Within a month of the declaration of war, 30,000 Canadian men joined the military
Why? Some . . .
thought it would be a short war
wanted adventure
were patriotic (wanted to support Britain)
were unemployed (the army offered a steady wage, meals & shelter)
The military became known as the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.)

6. ATTITUDES TOWARD’S CANADA’S ENTRY
“When the war started I wanted to go, but I was too young, only 15. By the time I was seventeen, I couldn’t wait any longer. I guess I was afraid the war would end before I got a chance to get involved”
“A lot of us were farm boys. Fighting was bound to be more exciting than farming and none of us thought we’d ever get another chance to see overseas places like England and France”
“Why did I sign up?.....it was just the thing to do. Every other young man from town was doing it”

7. Training Soldiers Who? Significance
The Ministry of Militia (led by M.P. Sam Hughes) was responsible for setting up a military training camp
The camp was set up in Valcartier, Quebec
All C.E.F. recruits were sent here for training
Significance
The time recruits spent at Valcartier helped expose them to more diversity than they were used to
They realized that there were a lot of similarities between them and a sense of national identity began to form

8. Equipping Soldiers Who?
The Ministry of Militia (led by M.P. Sam Hughes) was responsible for supplying soldiers with weapons
Hughes demanded that all weapons used by Canadian soldiers be manufactured in Canada (i.e. the Ross Rifle)
Hughes often awarded military supply contracts to his friends

9. But, the army wouldn’t take certain groups – i.e.
Women
Considered too weak and frail
Some went as nurses, ambulance drivers behind front lines instead
Aboriginal, African- and Japanese-Canadians
Later accepted when more men were needed
But, rarely promoted

10. How did Canadians feel about the Canada’s entrance into WWI?
With a partner explore the 14 primary source documents. Complete the chart below.
Once you have completed the chart answer the following question: Did most Canadians seem to support the war? (Hint: you should be answering this question based on your findings in the chart)