1. WWII The Home Front Propaganda II. Conscription
III. Make-Up of the Canadian Forces
IV. Women in WWII
V. Economic and Social Conditions
VI. Racism at Home

2. I. Propaganda
Definition: Mass communication to achieve a goal. May be positive or negative.
Positive: Makes people feel that they are part of a group
Negative: Uses people's fears; portrays someone else as evil

3. Dieppe and Propaganda

4. Diepe: The Reality

5. II. Conscription (Again)
King had come to power opposing conscriptions
in in WWI
Held a plebiscite (vote) asking Canadians to
decide on conscription

6. conscription English Canada voted YES, Quebec voted NO
"Conscription if necessary,
but not necessarily conscription” - King
It was implemented at the end of the war, but few conscripts saw action in Europe – mainly for home defense

7. III. Make-Up of the Canadian Forces
Significant shift from WW I
Active participation of visible minorities and women in the Canadian Armed Forces
No segregated units (as in WW I)
Visible minorities generally welcomed in full combat roles
Racism certainly existed on an individual basis

8. Native Canadians
joined in huge numbers to escape poverty of the depression.
many felt loyalty to Canada
barred from joining the air force and navy at the start of the war, but eventually actively recruited

9. French Canadians
signed up in good numbers - made up 19% of the military even though the army was still unilingual (English).
Alouettes Squadron
22nd “Vandoos”

10. English Canadians Largest group of soldiers
signed up at the same rate, for the same reasons as other groups

11. Ukranian Canadians WW I “enemy Aliens”
signed up in HUGE numbers. Hitler had taken over the Ukraine. They founded the UNF (Ukranian National Federation) to recruit men.
More than men and women served

12. Black Canadians
Were rejected at first, but later accepted and fought at the front
Gerry Carter was Canada’s youngest officer to be made a pilot (18 years old)
Veterans were not given the same rights after the war

13. Japanese Canadians Chinese Canadians
Many did serve, but many were rejected because of suspicion of the enemy (Canada was at war with Japan)
Chinese Canadians
Many proudly served, but few accounts are recorded (especially in History textbooks!)

14. IV. Women in WWII Played a major role in army 50 000 in active duty
(non-combatants)
3000 overseas nurses
Served as drivers, cooks,
clerks, messengers, laundresses,
ferrying aircraft
Paid only 2/3 wage
Not totally accepted (by males) in the military - discrimination from permanent officers
46 died

15. Women in the Labour Force
Very important role
farm work
employed in war production
(welders, drillers, electricians etc)

16. Women’s liberation??? 16

17. V. Economic and Social Conditions
Society was transformed
Host of rules and restrictions
Every aspect of civilian life was under government control
Rationing
(ration books)

18. Economic and Social Conditions
Very low unemployment - not enough workers
Many women filled men's jobs - state funded daycare establish
Wage and price controls
Federal spending very high
Income taxes increased

19. Victory bonds

20. VI. Racism at Home
Official and unofficial racism against "enemy aliens" - German and Italian Canadians

21. Racism at Home Japanese internment camps
March 1942 all Japanese were moved to the interior
Property
confiscated
Confiscated Japanese fishing boats - B.C.

22. Racism at Home Families separated Men paid 25 cents a day
Given nothing back after
the war
More than 6000 were sent to Japan
Government issued official apology in 1988 and gave each internee still living $
David Suzuki was interned during WW II