1. Canada Goes to War
Ms. Campbell
Socials 11

2. Canada Goes to War
In 1914 Canadian foreign policy was controlled by Britain
When Britain declared war on Germany (August 4, 1914) Canada was automatically at war
Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal) and Prime Minister Robert Borden (Conservative) both supported the war
Canada offered 25,000 troops but more than 30,000 volunteers signed up within a month
Many English-speaking Canadians were British in origin
Strong patriotic feelings
Toronto Newspaper  “Cheer after cheer from the crowds of people who had waited long and anxiously for the announcement of Great Britain’s position in the present conflict in Europe greeted the news that the Mother Country had declared war against Germany. Groups of men sang “Rule Britannia.” Others joined in singing “God Save the King”; some showed their sense of seriousness of the situation by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”
Many who volunteered believed they would be home by Christmas
Other volunteers went because they were unemployed
Women were considered too frail
Those who did serve were usually ambulance drivers or nurses
Aboriginal, African, and Japanese were accepted reluctantly – if at all

3. What are some signs that Canada and Britain were closely associated?
Canada Goes to War
At this time Newfoundland was not a province
Some Newfoundlanders joined the regular forces
Some formed the Newfoundland Regiment
What are some signs that Canada and Britain were closely associated?

4. Union Jack (1801 – Present)

5. Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921)

6. Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957)

7. Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965)

8. Canadian Flag (1965 – Present )

9. Australian Flag

10. New Zealand

11. British Columbia

12. What are some similarities and differences in the flags?
Canada Goes to War
What are some similarities and differences in the flags?

13. Canada Goes to War Patriotism Adventure
Canadians went to war for two main reasons
Patriotism
Adventure
Proud to fight for their country
Strong ties to Britain
The prairies contributed many soldiers
War was seen as “the great adventure”
Soldiers paid anywhere from $1 to $20 per day

14. Canada Goes to War Canada’s Minister of Militia was Sam Hughes
In charge of Canada’s armament industry
The Ross Rifle was a Canadian made weapon, BUT it jammed constantly
Sam Hughes
Poor administrator
Inefficient
War profiteering
Insisted on using Canadian manufacturers
Often inappropriate equipment
Poor Quality  boots with soles made of cardboard fell apart in the rain
Hughes was fired in 1916

15. Canada Goes to War
Camp Valcartier in Quebec was build to train Canadian troops
Canada’s armed forces were called the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
At first soldiers were integrated into British troops
Before long Canadians fought together under the command of Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie
Valcartier
Built in four weeks
Training lasted four months
CEF
Canada was a patchwork of regions
Travel was difficult
Training was often the first time soldiers met people from other places in Canada
Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie
1917
Ensured Canadians would fight as one unit
BREAK

16. Unsent Letter
Pretend you are a Canadian soldier who volunteered for World War One
Write a letter to a friend
Explaining why you joined the military
Describing the training you received
Talk about any challenges you have faced with your equipment
(EXTENSION)

17. New Types of Fighting

18. New Types of Fighting
The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s attempt to avoid a two front war
Believed it would take Russia time to mobilize
Believed Britain would remain neutral
The Schlieffen Plan was stopped at the Battle of the Marne in September
Each side dug trenches and stalemate ensued
Schlieffen Plan
Traditionally Britain had not become involved in disputes between countries in Europe
Nearly worked
By August German troops were 50 kilometers from Paris

19. New Types of Fighting Between the trenches was no man’s land
Full of corpses, barbed wire, and mud
Between Germany and France were called the Western Front

20. New Types of Fighting
Diagram of a Trench
Trench Side View

21. New Types of Fighting Life in the trenches was cold and damp
There were lots of rats and lice and many men developed trench foot
In order to attack, soldiers had to go over the top unprotected
Trench Warfare
Trench Foot was a painful condition that caused feet to swell and turn black
Going Over the Top was dangerous because of the machine gun

22. New Types of Fighting
New technology changed the ways wars were fought  machine guns, airplanes, and artillery attacks
Many generals ignored technology and engaged instead in battles of attrition which were based on grinding down (exhausting) the enemy’s manpower before yours were exhausted
Nations became engaged in total war as they threw all their efforts into winning the war
Battles of Attrition
Huge losses on both sides

23. Exit Slip
What was the name of Canada’s military force in World War One and what are TWO challenges soldiers faced in trench warfare?