Canadian History Terms Quiz

The act of forcing people to join the military.

A Canadian Prime Minister who originally promised no conscription during World War I.

A critical battle in World War I that showed Canada's military capabilities.

The need for more Canadian troops to fight in Europe during World War I.

Canadian soldiers fighting in Europe during World War I.

The government's decision to implement conscription in Canada during World War I.

A government act that gave the Canadian government broad powers during times of war, including the ability to detain individuals without trial and control the economy.

A protest movement by unemployed workers in Western Canada who traveled by train to Ottawa during the Great Depression to demand better conditions in relief camps and more government support.

A political party formed in Canada in the 1930s, known for its socialistic policies and advocacy for social welfare programs.

In the Great Depression, Canada introduced temporary work programs for unemployed people, often involving manual labor and located in remote camps.

During World War II, the Canadian government implemented measures to inform the public about the dangers of a nuclear attack and how to prepare for such an event.

The Avro Arrow was a supersonic jet interceptor aircraft developed in Canada to counter the threat of Soviet bombers carrying nuclear weapons. However, it was canceled due to the perceived lack of a bomber threat, its high production costs, and the availability of cheaper foreign aircraft from the United States.

The October Crisis of 1970 saw Prime Minister Trudeau invoke the War Measures Act in response to the kidnapping of James Cross and Pierre Laporte by the FLQ. This act suspended civil liberties, allowing arrests without charges.

During the Cold War, Canada played a significant role by joining NATO, contributing troops and resources to European defense. Canada also participated in NORAD, a joint air defense system with the US, and operated DEW lines to monitor Soviet activity.

Canada's relationship with the US in the 1980s was marked by initial tension, partly due to disagreements on issues like the Vietnam War. However, relations improved due to shared agreements like NORAD, NATO, and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which fostered economic integration and security.

The 1920s in Canada saw economic growth and industrialization with the emergence of new industries like automobiles and paved roads. This new technology, however, came with pollution and car accidents. Politically, women gained more rights but social progress was limited.

Pre-WWII Canada had a history of anti-Semitism with strict immigration policies against Jewish people. This was illustrated by the rejection of the SS Saint Louis, a ship carrying Jewish refugees seeking asylum in Canada.

The 1950s saw Canadian culture shift due to rising living standards and growing suburbanization due to car accessibility. Discrimination declined after WWII, leading to changes in immigration policy. The baby boom followed, fueled by economic prosperity. American culture had a significant influence on Canadian society through television.

The Constitution Act, also known as the Canada Act 1982, severed the last legal ties between Canada and Britain. It gave Canada full control over its constitutional affairs without requiring British approval.

The Nuremberg Laws were discriminatory and racist acts passed in Nazi Germany that stripped Jewish people of their citizenship and rights. They made Jewish persecution legal and systematic.

The Military Service Act (MSA) was introduced in 1917, forcing men between 20 and 45 to enlist in the army for World War 1. It caused significant tensions in Quebec as many French-Canadians felt disconnected from the war and resented being compelled to fight in a conflict they saw as foreign.

Residential schools were established by the Canadian government in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their purpose was to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, stripping them of their languages, traditions, and family connections. The schools were often overcrowded, unsanitary, and rife with abuse, causing lasting harm.

The internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II was a response to unfounded fears and racist prejudices. Despite no evidence that Japanese Canadians supported Japan, the War Measures Act was invoked to relocate and confine them in camps. Their properties were seized, and some were even deported.

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was a key factor in triggering the Great Depression. Fueled by excessive speculation and credit, the market's collapse wiped out millions of dollars and destabilized the economy, having a ripple effect on other sectors.

A major cause of the Great Depression was Canada's overreliance on exports of raw materials, particularly to nations that imposed high tariffs. These tariffs decreased profits made from exports, hurting Canadian businesses, especially farmers.

The unequal distribution of wealth in the 1920s contributed to the Great Depression. While the wealthy class had a significant share of national wealth, the majority of workers earned low wages, leaving little room for economic cushion when the economy faltered.

The Great Depression profoundly impacted Canadian society in the short term, causing widespread job losses, leading to increased poverty and homelessness, and resulting in the seizure of thousands of farms.

The Great Depression had long-term consequences, leading to increased government intervention in the economy, the emergence of new political parties, and a greater focus on social welfare programs.

While many Canadians opposed communism, they disagreed with the American approach to fighting it in Vietnam. Canada became a haven for draft resisters from the US, and while not sending troops, some volunteered to fight in the war.

Canada's stance on the Vietnam War created tensions in its relationship with the US as Canada opposed the heavy bombing of North Vietnam. Prime Minister Pearson's criticism of the US actions led to reprimands from President Johnson.

Hitler's disregard for the Treaty of Versailles, his ambitions for a powerful German Empire, and his belief in racial superiority resulted in aggressive expansionist policies that destabilized Europe and triggered the outbreak of World War II.

The League of Nations, established to prevent future wars, was too weak and lacked the ability to enforce its decisions. This weakness allowed aggressive actions, such as Hitler's violations of treaties, to go unchallenged, contributing to the escalation of the conflict leading to World War II.

The rise of totalitarian governments in Germany, Italy, and Japan, characterized by strong centralized control, aggressive expansionist policies, and disregard for international agreements, emboldened these nations to engage in actions that led to the outbreak of World War II.

Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations and invasion of Manchuria were driven by its ambition for territorial expansion and regional dominance. These actions, in line with its expansionist policies, further escalated tensions and contributed to the build-up towards World War II.

The Treaty of Versailles, imposed on Germany after World War 1, contained harsh penalties and restrictions. These terms were seen as excessively punitive and contributed to the rise of nationalistic sentiment in Germany, which ultimately led to Hitler's rise to power and the escalation of aggressive actions leading to World War 2.