Canadian History: Wars and Leaders

Alliances during WWI and WWII

• WWI Allies included France, Britain, Russia, Italy, and the USA later joined; Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.
• WWII Allies included the USA, USSR, UK, Canada, and China; Axis Powers consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Prime Ministers of Canada

• WWI: Robert Borden
• WWII: William Lyon Mackenzie King
• Great Depression: William Lyon Mackenzie King
• Post WWII: Louis St. Laurent
• 1960s: John Diefenbaker, then Lester B. Pearson
• 1970s: Pierre Trudeau
• 1980s: Pierre Trudeau

Importance of CD Howe and Sam Hughes

• CD Howe served as Minister of Munitions and Supply, essential in boosting Canadian wartime production, especially in WWII.
• Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence during WWI, significant for creating the Canadian Expeditionary Force and problematic in supply management.

Reasons for USA entry into WWI and WWII

• WWI entry largely due to unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the Zimmerman Telegram.
• WWII entry prompted by the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan.

Main method of battle during WWI

• Trench warfare characterized battle strategies, leading to stalemates and heavy casualties on both sides.

Area of Canadian battles during WWI

• Canadian soldiers fought predominantly in Flanders and the Somme; known as the Western Front.

Main battles of WWI

• Battle of Somme: Significant casualties and first use of tanks; Canadians fought at Beaumont-Hamel.
• Battle of Vimy Ridge: Key Canadian victory symbolizing national pride; use of creeping barrage technique by artillery.
• Battle of Ypres: Notable for the first large-scale use of poison gas; Canadians played a pivotal role in holding ground.
• Battle of Passchendaele: Heavy losses for limited territorial gain; highlighted the difficulties of trench warfare.

Significance of the Last 100 Days of WWI

• Marked a series of successful Canadian assaults leading to the end of the war; showcased Canadian military effectiveness and identity.

Causes of Winnipeg General Strike and results

• Causes included economic hardship, inflation, and poor labor conditions. Resulted in significant labor reforms but sparked fear of communism, known as "Bloody Saturday."

Popular culture of the 1920s

• Jazz music dominated, with figures like Louis Armstrong gaining fame; fashion witnessed the flapper movement with shorter skirts and androgynous styles.

The Famous 5

• Comprised of five women (Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, and Louise McKinney) who fought for women’s rights, particularly suffrage in Canada.

Importance of the Person’s Case

• Legal challenge resulted in women being classified as "persons," granting them the right to hold political office and marking a milestone for women's rights in Canada.

Black Tuesday

• Refers to October 29, 1929, when the stock market crashed; marks the beginning of the Great Depression's economic crisis.

Causes of the Great Depression

• Stock market crash, bank failures, reduction in consumer spending, and international trade decline.

Onto Ottawa Trek

• Occurred in 1935-1936; unemployed workers protested against working conditions and government relief measures, leading to violent clashes with police.

Coping mechanisms during the Great Depression

• Canadians resorted to bartering, living in makeshift homes, and participating in community kitchens and relief programs.

Immigration trends from the 1920s to Post WWII

• Immigration slowed during the Depression; post-WWII saw increased immigration as Canada expanded opportunities for displaced persons and skilled workers.

Famous “5 cent piece speech”

• Given by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, emphasizing financial equity; led to a significant shift in economic policy.

Hitler's rise to power

• Established a totalitarian regime, enacted anti-Semitic laws, and intensified militarization, eventually leading to WWII.

The St. Louis

• A ship carrying Jewish refugees denied entry into Cuba and the USA in 1939; symbolizes the apathy towards Jewish persecution pre-WWII.

Kristallnacht

• A violent pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938; marked a significant escalation in anti-Jewish violence.

Key agreements of WWII

• Munich Agreement: Allowed Nazi annexation in exchange for peace, ultimately failed.
• Anschluss: Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938, reflecting Nazi expansionism.
• Rome-Berlin Pact: Alliance between Italy and Germany solidifying fascist power in Europe.

Key battles of WWII involving Canada

• Italy: Canadians played vital role in capturing Ortona.
• Battle of Britain: Canadian pilots contributed significantly to RAF efforts.
• Normandy: Canadians stormed Juno Beach on D-Day, securing a crucial foothold.
• Dieppe: Disaster for Canadian forces, a learning moment for future operations.
• Hong Kong: Canadian troops faced heavy casualties defending against Japanese invasion in 1941.

Camp X

• A secret World War II training facility in Ontario for spies and covert operations, contributing to Allied intelligence efforts.

Cold War overview

• A period of geopolitical tension primarily between the USA and USSR characterized by ideological conflict, military buildup, and proxy wars.

Significance of Lester Pearson

• Canadian Prime Minister known for promoting peacekeeping and winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis.

The Avro Arrow

• An advanced Canadian fighter jet program ultimately canceled in 1959; represented Canadian innovation and led to loss of aerospace talent.

Canada’s role in Korea and Suez Canal

• Canada's involvement in the Korean War as part of UN forces; played a vital role in peacekeeping during the Suez Crisis.

Marshall Plan, Colombo Plan, GATT

• Marshall Plan: USA's initiative to aid European recovery post-WWII.
• Colombo Plan: Regional cooperation among Asian nations for economic and social development.
• GATT: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade aimed at reducing international trade barriers.

The Quiet Revolution

• A period of intense socio-political and cultural change in Quebec during the 1960s, led by Premier Jean Lesage focusing on modernization and secularization.

Adoption of the Canadian Flag

• The current Canadian Flag was officially adopted on February 15, 1965.

The Bill of Rights

• Passed in 1960 under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker; aimed to protect individual rights and freedoms in Canada.

The October Crisis

• Occurred in 1970; Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act in response to terrorist acts by the FLQ, leading to the temporary suspension of civil liberties.

Bill 101

• Also known as the Charter of the French Language, enacted in 1977, aimed to promote French as the primary language in Quebec.

1976 and 1980 Quebec Referendums

• 1976: Quebec sovereignty movement gains momentum; 1980: referendum on sovereignty-association failed, reinforcing Canadian unity.

Importance of Tommy Douglas

• Known as the "father of Medicare" in Canada, promoting publicly funded healthcare and social welfare programs.

Welfare State definition and comparison

• Refers to government systems providing social services to ensure citizens' well-being; contrasts with pre-WWII minimal state intervention in private lives.

Importance of the White Paper

• A 1969 proposal aimed at dismantling treaties with Indigenous peoples, sparking backlash and leading to a re-evaluation of Indigenous rights policies.

Equalization Payments/Transfers

• Mechanism to distribute wealth among provinces in Canada, ensuring equal access to public services irrespective of regional wealth.

Canada's evolution towards full autonomy

• Progressed from colonial status to legal autonomy through statutes like the Statute of Westminster (1931) and the Constitution Act (1982).

Foreign policy comparison pre and post WWII

• Pre-WWII: Isolationist; post-WWII: Active multilateral engagement and peacekeeping efforts.

French-English relations post WWII

• Tension and movements for French linguistic rights emerged; political parties like the Parti Québécois and individuals like René Lévesque rose to prominence.

Baby boom impact

• Post-WWII population growth led to suburban expansion, driving economic prosperity and increased consumer demand.

Immigration policy evolution (1920s-1980s)

• Transitioned from restrictive policies in the 1920s to more inclusive approaches post-WWII reflecting changing demographics and economic needs.

Technological change in Canada

• Significant advancements in communication, transportation, and manufacturing contributed to economic growth and modernization across the nation.

Test your knowledge of Canadian history, including World War I and II alliances, prime ministers, notable figures, and key battles. Covers significant events, dates, and outcomes.