General Knowledge Overview

The overall causes of World War I can be summarized by the acronym "MAIN": • Militarism: European powers were building large armies and navies, leading to an arms race. • Alliances: Complex networks of alliances created situations where if one country was attacked, its allies would also be drawn into the conflict (e.g., Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy; and Triple Entente: France, Russia, United Kingdom). • Imperialism: European countries competed for colonies and resources around the world, creating tensions. • Nationalism: Ethnic groups and nations were pushing for independence or dominance, leading to conflicts like the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. This event triggered a series of diplomatic and military responses leading to war.

Canada, as part of the British Empire, automatically entered the war when Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914. Although Canada had a degree of independence, it did not have the option to decline as its foreign policy was still tied to Britain.

Many French Canadians opposed Canada's participation in the war. They felt no loyalty to Britain and did not want to be involved in a conflict they saw as irrelevant to their interests.

Approximately 61,000 Canadians died, and 172,000 served in various capacities. Motivations included patriotism, adventure, and a sense of duty, but many were also influenced by propaganda and peer pressure. Some groups, such as French Canadians and conscientious objectors, opposed the war on various grounds (e.g., nationalistic, religious, or moral reasons).

The No. 2 Construction Battalion was Canada's only all-Black battalion formed in 1916, primarily tasked with building infrastructure behind the front lines. Curley Christian and Jeremiah Jones are significant figures in this battalion.

Indigenous soldiers were recruited due to their skill in hunting, tracking, and marksmanship. However, the recruitment process was often discriminatory. The war affected Indigenous communities by drawing young men away from their communities, and the post-war treatment of veterans was often neglectful.

Canadians were initially poorly trained and equipped but improved over time. They received their training in Canada and the UK. The Ross rifle was controversial due to its poor performance in battle, particularly its tendency to jam.

A type of combat where soldiers fought from long, narrow ditches or trenches. Conditions were miserable, with mud, rats, disease, and constant threat of death from enemy fire or artillery.

Germany’s strategy to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium, then turn east to fight Russia. It ultimately failed as German forces were halted in France, and Belgium’s resistance delayed them.

Poison gas was first used by Germany in 1915 and caused horrific injuries and deaths. Tanks, introduced by the British in 1916, provided a new way to break through entrenched positions. Aircraft were used for reconnaissance, bombing, and dogfights between fighter planes.

The first major use of poison gas by the Germans. Canada played a crucial role in holding the line despite heavy casualties.

One of the bloodiest battles of the war, with over 1 million casualties. Canada participated in the later stages, suffering significant losses but earning a reputation for bravery.

Known for its mud and horrendous conditions. Canada’s contribution was marked by high casualties and heroic efforts, though the battle is controversial for its questionable strategic value.

A pivotal moment for Canada, where Canadian troops captured the strategically important Vimy Ridge in a meticulously planned and executed attack. It became a symbol of national pride and unity.

A successful Canadian attack that was part of the larger Battle of Arras. Canada’s contribution demonstrated tactical innovation and resilience.

A series of successful Allied offensives that led to the final collapse of Germany. Canada played a significant role in these victories, earning praise for its effectiveness.

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew the map of Europe. It was a major factor leading to the conditions that would eventually cause World War II.

The "Roaring Twenties" refers to the decade following World War I, marked by social, cultural, and economic change. It was a time of prosperity with booming stock markets, the rise of consumer culture, the spread of jazz music, and significant advancements in science and technology. The "Dirty Thirties" refers to the Great Depression of the 1930s, which was characterized by widespread poverty, unemployment, economic hardship, and the devastating effects of drought and dust storms, particularly in the Prairies.

The One Big Union (OBU) was a radical union movement in Canada that sought to unite all workers, regardless of trade or industry, into one large, powerful union. It was significant because it was an attempt to challenge the capitalist system by creating solidarity among all workers aiming for greater influence in political and economic matters.

Poor working conditions, inflation, low wages, and a desire for workers' rights sparked the strike. Over 30,000 workers walked off their jobs in Winnipeg in May 1919, protesting against their conditions and demanding better wages and treatment. The strike lasted six weeks and ended with the government using military force to break it up. The leaders were arrested, and many workers were blacklisted. The strike marked a turning point in labor movements in Canada, highlighting the power of unions but also the lengths to which the government would go to suppress worker uprisings.

This strike involved workers at the General Motors plant in Oshawa, Ontario, who were demanding better wages and working conditions. It was significant because it marked a turning point in labor relations in Canada, highlighting the growing strength of industrial unions and the increasing use of strikes to achieve labor goals.

This act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, effectively banned Chinese immigration to Canada. It was historically significant because it represented one of the most extreme forms of racial discrimination in Canadian immigration policy and remained in place until 1947.

Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced to attend schools that aimed to assimilate them, often under abusive conditions. The Indian Act continued to enforce discriminatory practices limiting Indigenous peoples' rights and freedoms. Indigenous communities were marginalized economically and faced barriers to participating in the broader Canadian economy, often being excluded from land rights or subjected to poverty.

The League of Indians, founded by Fred Loft in 1919, was a political organization that sought to address the rights and welfare of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The government opposed it because it promoted Indigenous rights and sought to challenge colonial policies. It is historically significant as one of the earliest organized efforts for Indigenous political advocacy in Canada.

The Chatham Colored All-Stars were a pioneering Black Canadian baseball team. They were significant as they demonstrated the importance of Black athletes in Canadian sports history and challenged racial segregation in sports.

Yes, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) operated in Canada during the 1920s, with chapters in provinces like Alberta and Ontario. At its height, the Klan had tens of thousands of members. The KKK was notorious for its racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic activities, spreading hate and discrimination in Canadian communities.

Women in Canada gained the right to vote at different times depending on the province. By 1918, most women had the right to vote, but Indigenous women, Asian women, and Black women were often excluded from voting until later. The Chinese Exclusion Act and racial policies kept many women of color from voting.

Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the Canadian Parliament, advocating for social reforms including prison reform and workers' rights. Nellie McClung was a leading suffragist and activist who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement and the campaign for women’s rights in Canada.

The Persons Case (1929) was a landmark legal case in which five women fought to have women recognized as 'persons' under Canadian law allowing them to hold public office. The ruling marked a victory for women’s rights and established that women could serve in the Senate.

Prohibition began in Canada in the early 1920s as part of a movement to reduce alcohol consumption and improve social conditions. While the temperance movement was prominent, prohibition varied across provinces.

The King-Byng Affair (1926) was a constitutional crisis where Governor General Lord Byng refused to dissolve Parliament at Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s request. This was significant because it clarified the limits of the Governor General’s power and reinforced Canada's growing independence from Britain.

The Chanak Crisis (1922) was a step toward Canadian autonomy. The Halibut Treaty (1923) marked Canada’s independent negotiation with the U.S. The Balfour Report (1926) recognized Canada’s autonomous status within the British Empire. The Statute of Westminster (1931) gave Canada full legislative independence.

Frederick Banting was a Canadian scientist who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1921, a groundbreaking achievement in the treatment of diabetes.

The Great Depression (1929-1939) was a worldwide economic crisis marked by mass unemployment, bank failures, and extreme poverty. In Canada, it was particularly severe affecting industrial workers, farmers, and Indigenous communities.

The On to Ottawa Trek (1935) was a protest by unemployed men who travelled to Ottawa to demand better conditions and employment. It is historically significant because it highlighted the frustration of the working class and led to increased support for labor movements

The CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) was a socialist political party founded in 1932. The Regina Manifesto outlined the party's platform advocating for social and economic reforms. The CCF is significant because it laid the foundation for Canada’s future social democratic policies.

Maurice Duplessis led the Union Nationale in Quebec and served as premier for many years. He is historically significant for his conservative, nationalist policies and his role in shaping modern Quebec politics.

Bible Bill Aberhart was the leader of the Social Credit Party in Alberta. He promoted social credit policies as a solution to the economic issues of the Great Depression. His party became significant in Alberta’s political landscape in the 1930s.

Robert Borden (1918-1920) led Canada through World War I and played an important role in Canada's increasing independence. William Lyon Mackenzie King (1921-1926, 1926-1930, 1935-1948) is a significant figure for his leadership during both the interwar period and the Great Depression. R.B. Bennett (1930-1935) faced criticism for his response to the Great Depression, though he introduced some relief measures.