World War I (WWI) Summary

• Great Britain declared war on Germany on August 4th, 1914.
• The Triple Entente won World War I after Germany surrendered.
• Sir Robert Borden was the Prime Minister of Canada during World War I.

Alliances

• Triple Entente (The Allies): Included Russia, France, Canada, and other allied countries.
• Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other central powers.

Conscription

• Definition: Forced enlistment into the war.
• Passed: August 20, 1917.
• Opposition: Many French-Canadians opposed conscription due to prior promises against it, leading to riots in Francophone communities.

Enemy Aliens

• Definition: Individuals from enemy countries or of "enemy" descent (e.g., Germans, Ukrainians, Hungarians).
• Reason: Perceived as threats or spies.

Ace

• Definition: Pilots who flew planes over enemy lines for spying and aerial combat.

Causes of War: MANIA

• Militarism: European nations engaged in an arms race, competing for military superiority.
• Alliances: Countries made agreements to support each other in times of war or trouble.
• Nationalism: Strong patriotism led to conflicts, such as Serbian efforts for Bosnia's sovereignty.
• Imperialism: Competition for larger empires, like the British Empire, fueled rivalries.
• Assassination: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbian nationalist group "The Black Hand" triggered World War I.

Multiple Causes of World War I

• Attributing World War I to a single cause, like assassination, is inaccurate.
• Underlying causes, such as alliances and militarism, contributed significantly to the war's outbreak.
• Alliances created a network of mutual defense, drawing more countries into the conflict.
• Militarism spurred an arms race as countries competed for military dominance.

Schlieffen Plan

• Assumptions:
  • Russia would take six weeks to mobilize.
  • France would be quickly defeated.
  • Belgium would offer little resistance.
  • Britain would remain neutral.
  • Focus 90% of forces to France, 10% to Russia.
• Reality:
  • Germany invaded Belgium on August 2nd, but faced resistance supported by Britain.
  • Russia mobilized in only 10 days.
  • Germany failed to capture Paris, leading to a stalemate.

The Battles

• Somme: Known for being a "bloody mess" with massive casualties due to machine guns and tanks; the Newfoundland Regiment suffered heavy losses.
• St. Eloi: Known a "crater" due to British-created land mines backfired creating lakes of water.
• Ypres: Known a "gassy mess" due to first use of chemical weapons; soldiers used urine-soaked cloths as makeshift masks.
• Vimy Ridge: Known for being a "victory". Canadians led the Allies to a significant victory, showcasing months of preparation, creeping barrage, and Sir Arthur Currie's leadership. All 4 battalions led together.
• Passchendaele: Known a "muddy mess"; incessant rain and mud made the battle extremely difficult; Canadians successfully recaptured the village but suffered heavy casualties.

Most Meaningful Canadian Contributions (Opinion)

• Vimy Ridge: Demonstration of strength and victory. Showcased much strength and were named "stormtroopers" because of strong efforts.
• Passchendaele: "Muddy Mess" but still a victory from Canadian contributions. Recaptured the village of Passchendaele.
• Somme: "Bloody Mess" with new technology of machine guns that accounted for lots of deaths
• Ypres: "Gassy Mess" Canadians helped with the first use of chemical gas; a Canadian chemist helped to create the method of using urine on a cloth to block out chemicals

Trench Life Terminology

• Western Front: The battle zone spanning Belgium, France, and Germany.
• Frontline Trench: Located approximately ½ km from enemy trench protected with barbed wire .
• No-Man’s Land: The dangerous open area between opposing trench lines.
• Barbed Wire: Used to trap enemies and impede their advance.
• Creeping Barrage: An artillery tactic developed by the Canadians during Vimy Ridge.
• Over the Top: Refers to soldiers climbing out of trenches to attack the enemy.
• Trench Foot: A condition caused by prolonged exposure to damp and cold conditions in the trenches.

Impact of Trench Life

• The poor conditions in Entente trenches, such as unsanitary environments and rat infestations, contributed to illness and decreased the number of soldiers available for combat.

Technology

• New technologies, such as machine guns, significantly impacted warfare, necessitating new tactics like the creeping barrage.
• Airplanes, though dangerous to operate, were used for reconnaissance and aerial combat.

The Homefront

• The Canadian government implemented policies to support the war effort.
• The Canadian Food Board was created to prevent hoarding and promote food conservation.
• Conscription, while controversial, helped to bolster the Canadian army.

Propaganda

• Purpose: To manipulate and pressure citizens to support the war effort (e.g., enlist, buy victory bonds, conserve food).
• Intended Audience: Men, women, and communities.
• Propaganda Types:
  • Plain Folks: Using ordinary people to show the impact of the homefront.
  • Black and White Fallacy: Presenting clear choices related to the war effort.
  • Bandwagon: Encouraging people to follow the actions of "patriotic Canadians."

Important People

• Billy Bishop: A Canadian war pilot credited with shooting down 72 planes.
• Francis "Peggy" Pegahmagabow: A First Nations war hero and sniper.
• Tommy Longboat: A long-distance runner who served as a messenger in World War I.
• Sir Arthur Currie: General of the Canadian army during World War I.
• Sir Robert Borden: Prime Minister of Canada who led the country during World War I.