Canada's Role In The First World War

One of Canada’s largest military endeavors was the battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. It was a fierce battle between Germans and Canadians. Canada was trying to take over the German controlled ridge, which ran from northwest to southwest between Lens and Arras, France. Its highest point was 145 feet above sea level, which was exceptionally helpful in battle because of the very flat landscape. Already over 200,000 men had fallen at Vimy, all desperately trying to take or defend this important and strategic ridge. As a result of its success in taking the ridge, Canada gained a lot more than just the strategic point. Canada was united as a nation, and the victory changed the way other counties viewed them. Canadians no longer

World War 2 was a war like no other. It was a great war that chnged the world and killed many people. This war changed the way the war looked at Canada, and the way Canada looked at itself. World War 1 grew Canada’s independence but world war 2 shaped Canada’s independence and gave Canada a new look. World War 2 was a completely different war, this war allowed people to fight for their country, and not great britain, showing a new side to Canada.

During the first world war, Britain, and Canada’s allies demanded multiple resources from Canada. The allied countries were France, Serbia, and Russia. Since they were all in a coalition, they agreed to help each other, and send needed resources that would assist them in winning the war. Some common resources that were sent included food, munitions, money, and men. Since Canada during WW1 was still developing and expanding, the allies thought it was a great place to collect the necessities from, as they were in an abundance. Canadians at the commencement of the war were very eager to fight, as the war had been glorified, and made to look adventurous. So without any hesitation, Canada sent over as many resources the allies demanded. Canada then became responsible for supplying resources to the allies soldiers, and their own. Since so much effort was going towards the

Canada displayed their power and abilities to the rest of the world during the normandy landings on June 6, 1944 and proved themselves as a middle power. D-Day was the day Allied forces planned an invasion to push German forces back into Germany and end World War Two. Canada contributed a lot to the Allies such as materials, ammunition, ships, etc. They had the third largest navy and fourth largest air force. “The Royal Canadian Navy sent 110 ships and 10, 000 sailors, and the Royal Canadian Air Force contributed 15 fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons. They also sent 14, 000 Canadians to fight on the beach.”(CANADA AT D-DAY, WarMuseum.ca)

When people look back and remember the First World War, they often remember the assassination of Franz-Ferdinand, the sinking of the Lusitania, or the Zimmerman telegram. Not often do they recall the role that Canada played in the war. However, Canadians were a significant factor of the Allies’ success. Although Canada only possessed two Navy warships at the time and was known for being a peaceful country, she supplied over 60,000,000 shells to the Allies’ troops and endured over 67,000 casualties and 173,000 men wounded across multiple battles. With that said, it could also be argued that internal political conflicts in Canada afflicted their overall contribution to the war. In fact,

The battle of Somme took place during the 1st of July and the 18th of November 1916 in the region Somme department of France, on both banks of the river of Somme. It was during the time of the First World War that Newfoundland was still under the power of the British Empire. Britain declared war on Germany in August of 1914. This was the beginning of Newfoundland's first regiment. There was a great response from Newfoundland with many proud Newfoundlanders ready to serve in the war. There was such a huge demand that from a population of 240,000 that more than 12,000 people joined up for the regiment. When war had been declared an enormous amounts of soldiers were being killed and the rapid progression of military warfare such as tanks, grenades and mines were being introduced promptly in large numbers. In order to end this war, generals came up with the conclusion of making what they called the "Big Push" which was the joining of the British and French troops against enemy Germany. These troops would start the assault at the Somme. This would be the Battle of Somme near Beaumont Hamel that the first Newfoundland Regiment would partake in. On the morning of July 1st thousands of British and French troops marched towards No Man's Land, within half an hour of walking to their destination, the troops were dramatically decreasing in soldiers

When Britain called on Canada to help in World War One, Canadians dutifully volunteered. Many Canadians thought that this would be a glamorous adventure that they could not miss. However, Canadians were in for a rude awakening as this glamorous adventure turned out to be more than they bargained for. This was a new kind of war, one that cost Canadians dearly.

"Canada entered World War I as a colony and came out a nation..." a quote from Canadian journalist Bruce Hutchison. The First World War, or more commonly known as World War I or WWI, was a war centred in Europe, which in time became global, considering all the colonized nations of Europe were expected to fight, as well. WWI gave many of these colonized nations, and their people a chance to prove their worth, by fighting for the countries that “owned” them. Thenceforth, they could finally create an identity for themselves that was separate from the rest of Europe, they were longer another colony of places such as the British Empire. Following along with that idea, Canada is one of the best examples of a country that used the war as a way to

During the course of the Second World War, Canada evolved into a powerful, resourceful nation that was needed by the Allies. Canada contributed significantly to the Allied war effort during World War II where they fought on land, water and air and assisted indirectly from the home front. On land, they fought in numerous battles and campaigns such as D-Day, Hong Kong, and the Italian campaign. However, they were also strong and resourceful when it came to air and naval forces in battle. But even outside of battle, Canada was still able to make a contribution through its civilians.

The fighting overseas caused Canada to become more independent, not having to go to the British or any other countries as much. It helped Canada "grow up" and be seen as its own country by others. Canada demonstrated this when it signed the Treaty of Versailles independently and not as part of the British empire. At home, WW1 helped make Canadians learn to respect women, letting them have better jobs, getting higher salaries, although they still aren't equal to that of men. WW1 also caused French Canadians and English Canadians to fall farther and farther apart because of the conscription laws that Prime minister Borden placed.

WW1 was the most significant event that that shaped Canadian identity threw the twentieth century. Argument #1 – the first factor in shaping Canada in the twentieth century is when proved itself on the world stage in battle and in the technology field of warfare Argument #2 - by unifying as one nation through pride and success allowed Canada to shape into the peace keeping, well governed country they were in the 20th century.

World War One changed Canadian nationalism throughout the years during and after the war. Many sacrifices were made and doubt was arising. Involvement in the war gave us a powerful sense of sovereignty and self-determination. Canada fought as a colony for most of World War One. However, nationalism changed when Canadian forces solely won the battle of Vimy Ridge. Thousands of lives were lost and controversy followed after the war but nevertheless gave Canadians a stronger sense of nationhood and the development of nationalism towards themselves. Without the participation of Canadians in World War One, many aspects of modern Canada would be a lot different, things like nationalism and patriotism would be underdeveloped and would lack in depth.

The Great War from 1914-1918 in Europe had a traumatic toll on Canadians. The soldiers in the fields were forever changed by the war but they weren’t the only ones who were changed. World War 1 had a significant impact on Canada’s homefront. The impact of the Great War on Canadian civilians can be easily seen through the increased rate and level of discrimination, growth of Canadian economy and the independence of women.

World War One shaped Canada into a different country by forcing Canada into a state of total war. Canada’s army before World War One consisted of only 77,000 soldiers and an air force and navy with little resources, by the end of the war over 600,000 soldiers fought in battle and the air force and navy expanded and grew. The Canadians fought very well in battle and were recognized for having very effective soldiers during World War One.Women's roles on the home front changed because they had to fill the jobs of the men who were fighting overseas, this led to a woman's rights movements across the country. World War One changed Canada greatly because it resulted in the growth and expansion of the Canadian armed forces, Canadians were recognized for their brave and courageous actions on the battlefield and the advancement of women's rights on the home front.

Even though the German forces were unaware of the raid and had very little time to prepare for it, the Allies were still unsuccessful. Canadian forces were late to their positions at Blue Beach, and the 14th Canadian Army Tank Regiment was late to the Red and White Beaches. At the Green Beach, the Canadians needed to cross a bridge, which was heavily defended. Since the Canadians needed to defend a densely defended bridge, they were unsuccessful and were pushed back. The tanks had limited mobility due to the environment.