Canada on the Western Front: Key Battles & Propaganda

• These notes cover Canada's role on the Western Front, focusing on key battles, propaganda, and conscription.

The 2nd Battle of Ypres (April 1915)

• Germans released poison gas, causing significant casualties among Canadian troops.
• Soldiers initially mistook the gas for smoke.
• Standing upright lessened the gas's effect.
• Wetting clothing worsened the gas's effect.
• Some soldiers used urine-soaked cloths to mitigate the gas.
• The use of gas resulted in numerous soldier deaths.
• Despite heavy losses, Canadian forces held their ground.
• In Canada's first major battlefield appearance, they established a reputation as a formidable fighting force.
• 6,035 men were lost during the 48 hours of battle.
• The battle marked the first use of chemical gas.

The Battle of the Somme (Beaumont-Hamel, July 1916)

• Initial defense was broken.
• Significant numbers of men were lost
• Terrain consisted of long slopes, aiding the Germans in their defense.
• The soldiers had very little support.
• The fighting took place on a slope.
• Machine gun fire was a primary threat.
• On the first day of battle 388 men of the Newfoundland Regiment were killed.
• July 1st is recognized in Newfoundland and Labrador as Memorial Day.
• The battle is commemorated by one of the first World War memorials in France.

Significance of Battles

• The 2nd Batte of Ypres was key for Canada's reputation as a formidable force.
• The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel serves as a somber reminder of the bloody battle of the First World War.
• Long grass provided some protection during the Battle of Somme.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917)

• Capturing Vimy Ridge was important for Allied forces due to the German's line of sight over Allied advances in Northern France.
• Mass movement was part of a greater plan.
• Over 100,000 men from the Canadian Division 1-4 coordinated in the atack.
• Vimy Ridge is considered the birthplace of Canadian Nationhood.
• General Sir Julian Byng and General Arthur Currie were leaders.
• 11,000 guns opened up on the ridge, capturing thousands of Germans.
• All objectives were met, hindering German counterattacks.
• The platoon system, an innovation, involved teams with different objectives.
• Communication and assistance strategies were fully informed men.
• Machine-gun fire was offensively used.
• Artillery Preparations included a "week of suffering".
• Rolling Barrage was dangerous but effective cover.
• Effective intelligence was gathered through trench raids, air spotters, and triangulated counterfire.

WWI Propaganda

• Posters were used to achieve specific goals during WWI.
• All countires used them to justify participation, recruit troops, raise money, and conserve resources.
• Posters were a cheap and effective way to spread messages when Television had not been invented.

The 7 Tricks utilized in propaganda

• Name Calling - Attaching a bad label to an idea.
• Card Stacking - Presenting the best case for your side while making the opposite extreme worse.
• Band Wagon - Persuading the audience to follow the crowd.
• Testimonials - Using a famous person to endorse a product or ideal.
• Plain Folks - Gaining trust through someone who shares the audience's interests.
• Transfer - Using images to evoke emotions and win approval.
• Glittering Generality - Using vague statements in language connecting with deeply-held valuse.

Turning Points

• The US entered the war, while Russia surrendered amid its civil war.
• Germany realized Austria-Hungary was near collapse.
• Germany launched a major offensive in 1918, aiming to overwhelm the Allies.
• Canada and its Allies stopped the German forces just 80km from Paris.

The Conscription Crisis

• Canadians were greatly injured so Robert Borden decided that conscription was needed on May 16th, 1917.
• Wilfrid Laurier, leader of the opposition, opposed it fearing Quebec's reaction to conscription.
• The Wartime Elections Act extended the vote to nurses at the front and wives/mothers/sisters of soldiers.
• The Halifax Explosion hardened pro-conscription sentiment.
• French-Canadian's felt that conscription would take away the workers that farms and families needed.
• Military Service Act was passed allowing the British to conscript Quebec.
• The election called for December 17, 1917 conscription would be debated.

Sides Of Conscription

• For Conscription: Wives, mothers, and children of soldiers, veterans, pacifists, liberals, soldiers at the front, indigenous Canadians, British immigrants, Older Conservatives
• Opposed Conscription: French Canadians, older Canadians

The 100 Days

• Canadians lead the attack against Germany.
• Fresh American troops and improved airplanes assisted the assault.
• Germans were pushed out of their trenches.
• Land gained over 130 km was won.
• Allies won back France and Belgium.
• The effects of WWI included 60,000 Canadian deaths and 170,000 wounded.
• Anger arose between French and English Canadians over conscription.
• Canada gained international respect and independence from Britain.

Soldiers' Perspectives

• Lester Stevens stated in the 2nd Battle of Ypres that standing up made the gas less effective.
• Arthur Raky stated in The Battle of Beaumont Hamel, bad lighting hindered them.
• The grass on the slope was long, helping them.
• At 2nd Battle of Ypres, The fushechiefs protected them from Chlorine gas.
• At Somme (Beaumont Hamel) the long grass helped the Allied soldiers survive.