Mackenzie King and World War II

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Questions and Answers

What was Mackenzie King's impression of Hitler when he met him in 1937?

Hitler was a dishonest man that could not be trusted.

Hitler was a charismatic leader who was admired by King.

Hitler was a weak leader who was not in control.

Hitler was an honest man that could be trusted. (correct)

What promise did King make to Quebec ministers in his government?

To prioritize Quebec's interests over the rest of Canada.

To enact conscription immediately.

To never enact conscription while in power. (correct)

To consult with Quebec before making any war decisions.

What was the response to war in 1939 from Canadians?

The response was mixed, with some eager to join and others opposed.

Many Canadians were against the war and refused to participate.

There was widespread enthusiasm to join the war.

There was a lukewarm response, with many still remembering the horrors of WWI. (correct)

What was a major reason why some Canadians enlisted in the war effort?

Private's pay was $1.30 per day, which was an attractive offer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of total war?

Doing whatever it takes to gear up the economy for wartime demands. Signup and view all the answers

What did the NRMA (National Resources Military Act) allow for?

Conscription for home defense only. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the BCATP for Canada?

To avoid the conscription issue and keep the war effort at home Signup and view all the answers

What was the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)?

A program to train Allied pilots in Canada. Signup and view all the answers

Why did King hope that the BCATP could be Canada's main contribution to the war effort?

Because it would allow Canada to contribute to the war without putting troops in harm's way. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Franklin D. Roosevelt deliver his 'Arsenal of Democracy' speech?

1940 Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Evacuation at Dunkirk?

Nearly 340,000 allied soldiers were brought to safety Signup and view all the answers

What was the target of the German Luftwaffe in August 1940?

Air fields and aircraft factories Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Hitler's plan for the invasion of Britain?

Operation Sea Lion Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Canada was an ideal location for the BCATP?

Its open skies, climate, and distance from enemy aircraft Signup and view all the answers

What was the duration of the Evacuation at Dunkirk?

May 26, 1940 - June 4, 1940 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of Britain?

It was a major air campaign initiated by the German Luftwaffe Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mackenzie King and Hitler

Mackenzie King met Hitler in 1937 and initially thought Hitler was an honest man who could be trusted

Conscription Promise

King promised Quebec ministers and Parliament that as long as his government was in power, conscription would not be enacted

Canada's Response to War in 1939

There was a lack of enthusiasm for war compared to World War I
The suffering and horrors of WWI were still fresh in the minds of many Canadians
58,330 people volunteered for service in September 1939
First Nations peoples volunteered at a higher per capita rate than any other group in Canada
As the war continued, African-Canadians were accepted into the regular army and the officer corps

Reasons for Enlistment

Private's pay was $1.30 per day, with additional money for dependent spouses and children
Some Canadians felt a sense of duty and strong ties to Britain
Enlistment was also motivated by a sense of new-found national pride

Total War

Total war referred to the concept of doing whatever it took to gear up the economy for wartime demands
C.D. Howe became federal minister of the Department of Munitions and Supplies, directing industries on what to produce and how to produce it
Total war efforts included shipbuilding, aircraft production, military vehicles, tanks, and food production

NRMA (National Resources Military Act)

The NRMA gave the government special emergency powers to mobilize all available resources to defeat the enemy
The act allowed for conscription for home defense only

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

King hoped that the BCATP would be Canada's main contribution to the war effort
The BCATP would allow Canada to host and administer a training plan for pilots and personnel from the Commonwealth
Canada's open skies, climate, and distance from enemy aircraft made it an ideal training location
King hoped to avoid the conscription issue through the BCATP

"Arsenal of Democracy"

On December 29, 1940, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a radio speech
Roosevelt described the United States as the "great arsenal of democracy" in the struggle against tyranny and dictatorship
He aimed to arouse popular support for sending military aid to nations fighting against the Axis powers

Evacuation at Dunkirk

The Germans had taken over France and Belgium, and Allied forces were surrounded in Dunkirk
A massive evacuation effort by the British Navy rescued nearly 340,000 Allied soldiers between May 26 and June 4, 1940

The Battle of Britain

Hitler's plan for invasion of Britain was called "Operation Sea Lion"
The first phase involved destroying Britain's air power through a massive bombing campaign
The German Luftwaffe targeted harbors and shipping facilities in July 1940
In August 1940, airfields and aircraft factories were targeted
In September 1940, the German strategy shifted to bombing civilian targets for 45 consecutive nights

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Test your knowledge of Mackenzie King's views and actions during World War II, including his impressions of Hitler and his promises to Quebec.