The Canadian Corps and CEF

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

Canada was rushed into Confederation way too soon and has had problems due to this. Although through these past hundred fifty years, Canada has survived and is still going strong. Confederation started on July 1st, 1867 when three British Colonies came together to become four provinces. Although Canada went through Confederation, it is not a confederate association; it is a federal state which is not the supposed meaning of Confederation. Canada has evolved majorly since Confederation back in 1867.

Up until the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canadians were loyal citizens of the British Empire. We had a lack of experience with wars and basically no equipment compared to others. Terrible losses like the Battle of Second Ypres and Battle of the Somme caused Canadians to doubt British leadership. At the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canadians became more confident in themselves. Canadian nationalism was founded in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Canadian confederation was a process in which the British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one government of Canada, on July 1 1867. However Canadian confederation did not just happen like that there were causes that lead to confederation. The causes which lead to confederation are; political deadlock, American civil war, the railway, cancellation of reciprocity treaty, and Britain creating her colonies self-sufficient. So today in this essay I will be discussing about the causes of confederation.

Canadians pride themselves on being a “peacekeeping country” and many believe that peacekeeping represents a defining aspect of Canadian identity because it reflects fundamental values, beliefs and interests. Canada has been a leader in peace operations since its development that spearheaded by a Canadian. In fact, Canada’s role as peacekeeper remains the main focus of the Canadian military after its invention around 60 years ago, originally started by a Canadian. Their efforts have gained an international reputation for Canada as a significant contributor to international peace and stability. While Canada has an exemplary history in UN peacekeeping, the current extent of its contribution, both in terms of peacekeeping personnel and percentage of funds to peacekeeping missions, are on a clear decline. The belief that Canada is a peacekeeping country is misguided because recent Canadian commitment shows a sharp decline in Canadian participation in UN peacekeeping. Surprisingly, as of March 2007, Canada ranked 59th out of 114 countries in terms of military and police contributions to UN operations. Despite Canadian declined involvement in peacekeeping during the last decade, it still remains a valuable and important mission that greatly deserves Canadian resources including monetary support, resources and personnel.

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.

Canada entered into the Great War as a result of their paternalistic ties to the British Empire. Over the course of the strife, Canada developed significantly in terms of national identity and autonomy. The war forced the Canadian government to solidify its stance on a myriad of of economic and social issues by increasing their capacity for national identity development and routing them on the course to greater independence and a more recognizable stance on the international stage. Domestically, the war threatened citizens’ rights through the use of conscription and other legal restrictions on civil liberties, advanced the economy, and led to a series of social changes

The Royal Canada Army Service Corps (RCASC), established November 1, 1901 and decommissioned in February 1, 1968, was an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army during World War II. Throughout the war, the RCASC supported the Canadian Army Formations that fought in Hong Kong, Italy, North West Europe and Germany. Support was given through the form of maintaining transport for the armies on land and commanding and maintaining a ship-borne

Not only did Canada participate in such a triumphant battle, but Canada was the leader; they led the Allies to a decisive victory. Furthermore, the Canadian Corps was directed by Arthur Currie, the first ever Canadian commander. This change in leadership, which was contrary to past battles with British officers taking the position, cemented the capabilities of Canada as a strong and independent power. While the Battle of Amiens established Canada’s autonomy, it also asserted the nation’s strength.

Throughout the war, with the multitude and variety of different programs, Canada's economy exploded by four times due to the influx of products being produced for the Allies. By doing this, Canada in turn also changed its economy in a full self-sustaining Canadian identity. For example, due to the desperate need for ammunition and war weapons, Canada built countless factories across the country to service the demand. It was solely a business agreement, a plan where terms involved trade and money, between Britain and Canada. Many citizens came up to work in the industrial production so that Canada could stabilize itself as a dominant global economy, starting what was called the Home Front. Millions of dollars in war goods were being manufactured and shipped to the Allies, including artillery shells, and munitions. Many people also bought war bonds to strengthen Canada’s economy so that they could return huge profits. Farming also soared during these years, where many teenagers working on the farms to yield huge quantities of food for the Allies with the Soldiers of the Soil program. Women and children also helped create care packages for the soldiers so that they could enjoy delicacies from home. All of this proved that Canada was an equal economic partner and a huge global force, working with the Allies to ensure the war ran smoothly. This ultimately led to significant leaps on how the economy of Canada ran, based solely on their own

The country that we have come to call Canada, has been built and shaped by wars, and military confrontations. In the 19th century, Canada had many conflicts that helped change and make Canada, some of which are: The War of 1812, Rebellions of 1838, The Fenian Raids and the Red River Rebellion. These obstacles presented, threatened the security, defense and the stability of Canada, which was a British colony(I feel that this does not make sense). Canada relied almost exclusively on the militia, which was composed of ordinary citizens and not a professional standing army. Although, the militia did provide basic defense, they were not qualified enough.

conclusion, the Canadian confederation was borne out of a series of problems and threats that had faced the larger Canadian continent. Rather than becoming a platform for development and growth it was created out of necessity. The two regions had to come together if they had any chance of fighting the imminent problems that the continent faced. Many of these problems were influenced by external forces that threatened the strength and unity of the country. The political, economic and social issues raised generated a scenario where the country had no option but to come together and work towards the development as a single unit. The war between Britain and America was at the center of these problems since they were fighting their own political

-Britain had requested Canada to help defend. Canada responded to the lack of trained troops. Canada sent troops to help defend.

The Canadian Army was more successful in World War One than World War Two because of the battles they were in, the generals that led the country to victory and it helped Canada become more independent. The Canadian Army contributed a lot in both World Wars, but they were more successful in World War One. First, the Canadian troops earned a great reputation after their success at Vimy Ridge because it was a great victory for them. The victory at Vimy Ridge is a huge success for the Canadians because they were the only country who could capture it from the Germans. Their creeping barrage strategy worked and that gave the Canadian Army success at the Ridge, allowing them to capture all 7km of the ridge. Another reason Vimy Ridge is such a huge part

When Britain declared war in 1917 and joined forces with the Allied powers, Canada followed suit immediately. McCrae had seen first hand the deadly effects of war and had no illusions of what to expect. McCrae was assigned to be surgeon to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. He felt he was one of the most qualified doctor-soldiers in the country and felt his obligation to the country and to the Empire. McCrae’s greatest test would come when his Canadian contingent were sent to the Ypres Salient.