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Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of the German forces during the battle led by Julian Byng and Arthur Currie?
What was the primary goal of the German forces during the battle led by Julian Byng and Arthur Currie?
What was the main reason for the implementation of the convoy system during World War I?
What was the main reason for the implementation of the convoy system during World War I?
The third Battle of Ypres was a successful reuse of tactics from the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
The third Battle of Ypres was a successful reuse of tactics from the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
False
What was unique about the battle fought from April 9-12, 1917?
What was unique about the battle fought from April 9-12, 1917?
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Trench warfare involved the use of straight trenches for better defense.
Trench warfare involved the use of straight trenches for better defense.
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What material was used to prevent the walls of trenches from collapsing?
What material was used to prevent the walls of trenches from collapsing?
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During the Battle of Passchendaele, many soldiers drowned after falling off __________.
During the Battle of Passchendaele, many soldiers drowned after falling off __________.
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Match the following aspects with their corresponding battles:
Match the following aspects with their corresponding battles:
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The __________ system was developed to protect supply ships from bombing during World War I.
The __________ system was developed to protect supply ships from bombing during World War I.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What event triggered the start of World War I?
What event triggered the start of World War I?
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The Battle of Somme resulted in over 1 million casualties.
The Battle of Somme resulted in over 1 million casualties.
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How many Canadian soldiers died during World War I?
How many Canadian soldiers died during World War I?
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The ________ gas was first used in battle during the 2nd Battle of Ypres.
The ________ gas was first used in battle during the 2nd Battle of Ypres.
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Match the battles with their significance:
Match the battles with their significance:
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Which of the following weapons was NOT introduced during World War I?
Which of the following weapons was NOT introduced during World War I?
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The primary combatants in the Battle of Somme were Canadians and Germans.
The primary combatants in the Battle of Somme were Canadians and Germans.
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What was the date range of the Battle of Somme?
What was the date range of the Battle of Somme?
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What was a major issue facing workers during the war period?
What was a major issue facing workers during the war period?
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The Ross Rifle was chosen for its accuracy but was a reliable weapon.
The Ross Rifle was chosen for its accuracy but was a reliable weapon.
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What was the purpose of the Military Service Act?
What was the purpose of the Military Service Act?
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The _________ Election Act allowed women to vote.
The _________ Election Act allowed women to vote.
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Match the following events/legal acts with their descriptions:
Match the following events/legal acts with their descriptions:
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Who replaced Sam Hughes as Minister of Militia?
Who replaced Sam Hughes as Minister of Militia?
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The Halifax Explosion occurred on December 6, 1917.
The Halifax Explosion occurred on December 6, 1917.
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Approximately how many enemy aliens were interned under the War Measures Act?
Approximately how many enemy aliens were interned under the War Measures Act?
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The ____________ was a coalition government formed by aligning Conservatives and Liberals.
The ____________ was a coalition government formed by aligning Conservatives and Liberals.
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What was one effect of the wartime economic changes?
What was one effect of the wartime economic changes?
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What event caused the SS Mont-Blanc to catch fire in Halifax Harbour?
What event caused the SS Mont-Blanc to catch fire in Halifax Harbour?
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The Canadian government interned Ukrainians from 1914 to 1920.
The Canadian government interned Ukrainians from 1914 to 1920.
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What year did the Treaty of Versailles get signed?
What year did the Treaty of Versailles get signed?
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The terms of the Treaty of Versailles required Germany to pay _______ billion in damages to the Allies.
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles required Germany to pay _______ billion in damages to the Allies.
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Which of the following best describes the War Measures Act?
Which of the following best describes the War Measures Act?
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Canada was initially part of the British delegation at the Paris Conference.
Canada was initially part of the British delegation at the Paris Conference.
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Who was the only African-American officer in the British Empire during WWI?
Who was the only African-American officer in the British Empire during WWI?
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The Canadian force's significant advance during the '100 days' campaign began on __________.
The Canadian force's significant advance during the '100 days' campaign began on __________.
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What was referred to as 'The Black Day of the German Army'?
What was referred to as 'The Black Day of the German Army'?
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Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:
Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:
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Minority groups in Canada received equal financial aid compared to white communities during WWI.
Minority groups in Canada received equal financial aid compared to white communities during WWI.
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What did Canada insist on during the Paris Conference regarding its delegation?
What did Canada insist on during the Paris Conference regarding its delegation?
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The explosion from the SS Mont-Blanc destroyed all buildings within an ________ metre radius.
The explosion from the SS Mont-Blanc destroyed all buildings within an ________ metre radius.
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What was one of the new conditions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
What was one of the new conditions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
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What humanitarian supplies were sent to Halifax after the explosion?
What humanitarian supplies were sent to Halifax after the explosion?
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Study Notes
World War I
- July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918
- Over 40 million deaths globally
- 59,544 Canadian deaths, 172,000 wounded, 9,000 suffered from shell shock
- Known as a stalemate due to trench warfare
- Key events leading to the outbreak:
- Archduke Franz Ferdinand visits Sarajevo and is assassinated by Gravilo Princip
- Austria-Hungary sends an ultimatum to Serbia, with most demands being met
- Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
- Russia mobilizes to defend Serbia, France mobilizes in support
- Germany orders Russia and France to stop mobilizing
- Germany declares war on Russia and France
- Germany invades Belgium
- Great Britain declares war on Germany
Weaponry
- Introduced tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons, including chlorine and mustard gas
- Machine guns, artillery, mortars, bayonets, and shells were also instrumental
Major Battles
-
Second Battle of Ypres:
- Fought between Canada, France, Britain, and Germany
- April 2, 1915 in Belgium
- Chlorine gas was used for the first time, with Canadians using handkerchiefs soaked in urine as makeshift gas masks
- The famous poem "In Flanders Fields" was written during this battle.
- Over 100,000 Casualties
-
Battle of the Somme:
- Fought between Canada, Newfoundland, Britain, and Germany
- July-November 1916 in France
- Utilized a barrage of artillery fire to destroy German bunkers. This was ineffective, as Germans were protected in their bunkers
- First deployment of tanks in battle
- 58,000 casualties on the first day, over 1.25 million total casualties
-
Vimy Ridge:
- Fought between Canada and Germany
- Led by Julian Byng and Arthur Currie
- April 9-12, 1917 in France
- The goal was to capture Vimy Ridge, a strategic vantage point
- The first battle fought solely by Canadian forces
- Achieved what Britain and France had failed to do by utilizing strategic tactics, including:
- Sappers dug under and emerged from enemy trenches
- A creeping barrage, which drove the Germans into their trenches
- Months of planning and preparation, including:
- Creation of an identical replica of the ridge
- Building 21 miles of communication cable wire
- Detailed maps, which were given to all soldiers
- 50,000 tons of ammunition
- Three months of nighttime practice
-
Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres):
- Fought between the British Empire and Germany
- July-October 1917 in Belgium
- Attempted to reuse Vimy Ridge tactics, but failed due to:
- Swampy, muddy conditions due to a wet summer
- Terrain prevented the use of the creeping barrage tactic
- Many soldiers drowned after falling off duckboards
- Over 400,000 Casualties
-
Canada's 100 Days:
- August 8 - November 11, 1918
- A decisive series of battles in which Canada played a key role.
- They spearheaded the liberation of French towns, gaining 13 kilometers in a single day.
- August 8th, known as "The Black Day of the German Army," marked the moment when the German leadership accepted defeat.
- September and October saw the breaking of the Hindenburg Line.
- In October, Cambrai was captured. The Germans retreated, leading to an armistice on November 11th at 11:00am.
War at Sea
-
Battle of the Atlantic:
- Fought between German submarines (U-boats) and Allied ships
- February 1915 - 1918
- German U-boats engaged in unrestricted submarine warfare in response to the British blockade. This resulted in the implementation of the convoy system that protected Allied supply ships from attack.
Trench Warfare
- Trenches were:
- Long, deep, and very narrow
- Earth thrown up in front for protection from bullets
- Zigzag shape to prevent direct artillery fire along a straight path
- Features included:
- Wood and wire along the walls to prevent collapses
- Duckboards along the floor
- Communication with headquarters was achieved through:
- Buried or pole-mounted cable wires
- Messages carried by pigeons and aircraft
- Morse code via power buzzers
- Visual signals such as pillows and uniforms
Industry
- Many goods became scarce due to the war, resulting in significant business profits.
- Work force frustration grew because wages remained stagnant while prices increased.
- The Ross Rifle was chosen for its accuracy, but it tended to jam due to dust and mud.
- Samuel Hughes, the Minister of Militia, was criticized for his decisions regarding the Ross Rifle procurement.
- Joseph Flavelle replaced Hughes, and imposed strict profit margins, but later faced accusations of profiteering from his bacon sales.
Politics
- 1917 Federal Election:
- Key issue was conscription, one of the most contentious debates in Canadian history.
- The French community, farmers, union workers, and immigrants opposed conscription, while the English community generally supported it.
- Key issue was conscription, one of the most contentious debates in Canadian history.
- Sir Robert Borden's Political Strategy:
- Military Service Act: mandated that all male citizens between 20-45 enlist.
- Wartime Elections Act: allowed women to vote but prohibited enemy aliens from voting.
- Formed a Union Government (coalition government) that aligned Conservatives and Liberals.
- Independent politicians switched sides in support of the war effort.
- War Measures Act, 1914:
- Allowed for the internment of "enemy aliens."
- About 8,579 individuals were interned.
- Internees performed hard labor, mostly for minimum wage (some were unpaid), in areas like logging, mining, and Banff National Park.
Halifax Explosion
- Occurred on December 6, 1917.
- SS Mont-Blanc, carrying explosives for Belgium, collided with SS Imo, carrying humanitarian supplies for Belgium.
- SS Mont-Blanc caught fire, and at 9:04am, the explosives detonated.
- Caused significant devastation:
- 1600 people killed, 9,000 injured
- All buildings within an 800 meter radius were destroyed.
- Affected relations:
- Canada and US sent relief from Boston.
- Halifax sent Boston a Christmas tree in appreciation.
- The federal government distributed less financial aid to minority groups.
- The Mi'kmaq settlement was completely destroyed and never rebuilt.
- Africville received less assistance than white communities.
War Prejudices
-
African Canadians:
- Initially barred from enlisting in the military, but were eventually allowed due to high casualties.
- Still faced segregation in military units.
- Led by white captains. One exception was William White, the only African-American officer in the British Empire.
-
Internment of Ukrainians:
- 1914-1920
- Interned under the War Measures Act.
- About 8,579 people were interned, some for minimal wage, others unpaid.
- Forced to perform labor projects in mining, logging, and Banff National Park.
- A formal apology was issued in 2005 through Bill C-311.
The Final Push
-
1917 Russian Revolution:
- Led to Russia's surrender. This freed up 600,000 German troops from the Eastern front
-
German Final Offensive (March-June 1918):
- A desperate attempt by Germany to achieve a decisive victory, pushing the Allies back 48km.
- The Allies were on the verge of defeat as American troops were nearly fully prepared, and the British blockade was causing starvation in Germany
- This was Germany's last chance to win
-
Canada's 100 Days (August 8 - November 11, 1918):
- Canada played a significant role in ending the war by liberating French towns and pushing the German front back.
-
Paris Conference (January 1919):
- The peace treaty was drafted.
- Canada was initially part of the British delegation, but Borden insisted that they have earned their own independent vote.
- Canada sent its own delegation but had no voting power.
Treaty of Versailles
- Signed on June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles.
- Canada signed as its own nation, demonstrating its growing independence.
- Key conditions that the Triple Alliance was required to carry out:
- Armistice conditions:
- Signing of the War Guilt Clause: holding Germany responsible for starting the war.
- Immediate evacuation of all territories captured during WWI.
- Withdrawal of all troops within 10km of the Rhine River.
- Surrender of all artillery, guns, and naval and merchant ships.
- Payment of reparations to the Allies.
- New conditions:
- Complete evacuation of the Rhineland.
- Reduction of the German army to 100,000 and the removal of conscription policies.
- Abandonment of the German air force and cessation of submarine and tank production.
- Reduction of the navy to six battleships.
- Payment of $30 billion in damages.
- Armistice conditions:
- Canada believed that the treaty was too harsh on Germany.
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Description
Explore the significant events, weaponry, and battles of World War I from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918. This quiz covers the impact of trench warfare, major battles like the Second Battle of Ypres, and the overall human toll, including the experiences of soldiers. Test your knowledge on the causes of the war and the innovations in military technology during this period.
