Causes of World War II Overview

The belief that a country should have a strong military to defend itself and promote its interests.

Competition between European countries to see who could build the most powerful weapons and navies.

Unions formed between countries for mutual benefit.

A system where a powerful nation enforces its rule over other countries or territories.

Loyalty and devotion to a nation, glorifying one’s own nation above others.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife by a Serbian nationalist.

A plan created by German General Alfred von Schlieffen to quickly defeat France by attacking through Belgium.

The German plan to quickly defeat France failed. Britain and Russia joined the war, stopping the German advance.

During World War 2, women took on crucial roles in the workforce, contributing to the war effort in various ways. They worked in factories producing munitions, supported farming efforts, served as nurses and ambulance drivers, and contributed to the production of essential materials.

Conscription was a system implemented in Canada during World War 1 that required men to serve in the military. This policy sparked debate due to the need for men in various industries, particularly agriculture, factories, and objections from French Canadians who were reluctant to participate in Britain's war.

The Wartime Elections Act, passed in 1917, granted voting rights to women who were nurses or had relatives serving in the military. This expansion of suffrage aimed to garner support for conscription but excluded pacifists and immigrants from enemy nations.

The internment of individuals of enemy descent, primarily Ukrainians, Austria-Hungarians, Ottomans, and German Eastern Europeans, was implemented under the War Measures Act. These individuals were held in camps where they endured harsh conditions and forced labor.

Victory Bonds were a method for financing the war effort where citizens purchased bonds from the government, receiving a 5% return on their investment after the war ended.

Government-run camps established in 1931 for single, unemployed men during the Great Depression in Canada. They were designed to provide work and prevent the unemployed from being influenced by communism.

A protest march organized by unemployed men in Canada during the Great Depression. The march aimed to bring their grievances to the attention of the Prime Minister in Ottawa.

The Relief Camps Workers Union (RCWU) represented the workers in the relief camps during the Great Depression. Their goal was to improve the working conditions and wages of the men in the camps.

The Canadian Prime Minister during the Great Depression. He faced criticism for his handling of the protests and economic crisis.

A political party in Canada that emerged during the Great Depression. They advocated for social reforms and economic justice.

Canada negotiated a treaty without British involvement, leading to Canada's first independent international treaty.

This report established the relationship between Britain and its former colonies, stating that all colonies were equal in status, independent from each other, shared allegiance to the Monarchy, and were free to associate with each other.

The first three Canadian embassies were established in Washington D.C. (1927), Paris, France (1928), and Tokyo (1930).

This statute granted Commonwealth countries the right to full independence, though Canada and Newfoundland weren't ready for it yet.

The Great Depression was a period of severe economic downturn caused by various factors, including irresponsible spending, overproduction, dependence on natural resource exports, and reliance on the US economy.

A period of severe drought and locust infestations, leading to decreased wheat prices and farmers losing their livelihoods in the prairies.

The stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression, starting in New York and impacting Toronto as well.

The devastating impact of the Great Depression left many Canadians without savings, jobs, homes, and forced them to rely on charity for survival.

A period of significant social and cultural change in Quebec, aiming to improve economic and social conditions for French-speaking people and increase their autonomy.

The Prime Minister of Canada who introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights and promoted developments in Canada's North and West.

John Diefenbaker's decision to allow the US to station nuclear bomarc missiles on Canadian soil, leading to protests against nuclear weapons.

The Canadian Prime Minister who introduced Medicare nationwide, established the Bilingualism and Biculturalism Commission and oversaw the creation of the Canadian flag.

The Canadian Prime Minister who decriminalized homosexuality, established bilingualism, created Petro-Canada, and made Canada fully independent from Britain through the Constitution Act of 1982.

The Premier of Quebec from 1936-1939 and 1944-1959 who was known for his strong leadership and control of Quebec.

The Liberal Premier of Quebec who spearheaded social and economic reforms during the Quiet Revolution, focusing on improving conditions for French-speaking people.

A commission established in 1963 by Lester B. Pearson to address the concerns of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada.

The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II.

The gradual stripping of rights and freedoms from Jews by the Nazi regime, beginning with the loss of citizenship, employment, and freedom of movement.

The forced confinement of Jews in overcrowded, isolated areas within cities, characterized by poor sanitation and limited food supplies.

Camps established by the Nazi regime to systematically exterminate Jews, Communists, homosexuals, and political opponents through forced labor, starvation, and inhumane medical experiments.

The deliberate and systematic killing of Jews using mobile units and gas chambers during the Holocaust.

The Canadian government's refusal to allow Jewish refugees, aboard the ship S.S. Louis, to seek refuge in Canada during World War II.

Military units that moved from town to town killing Jews during the Holocaust.

Canadian women's contributions to the war effort, including working in factories, serving in support roles, and contributing to war industries.

A key project in Canada during WWII where Canadian women worked in factories.

A renowned Canadian aeronautical engineer, Elsie McGill, who designed the Hurricane aircraft, a significant contribution to Allied forces during WWII.