1. Canada and the Second World War (ppt2)
Canadian History 1201
Unit 5

2. The First Shots of the Battle of the Atlantic
The War in Europe
When Britain entered the War - Canada no longer bound by British Actions
Athenia (boat carrying >500 Canadian passengers) sunk by German U-Boats on Sept
What is this similar to?
A short war was not predicted… Canadians were not as enthusiastic to join the cause like they were in WWI
SS Athenia
The First Shots of the Battle of the Atlantic

3. Better maneuverability and radar in Jet aircrafts
The War in Europe
Technological developments - new kind of war
“No Man’s Land” = part of the past
The Battlefield now includes all of the enemy’s territory
New technologies
Long-range bombers
Faster tanks
Motorized forces
Men & women trained as cryptologists (development of secret codes to send orders to troops)
New method of defense
Radar helped battle German Air Force
Better maneuverability and radar in Jet aircrafts
A WWII DUKW Landing

4. Canadian Soldiers and the Beginning of the War
In 1939 Canada was not prepared to fight a war
Before 1942 few Canadians actually engaged in Battle (due to poor weather and Germany’s efforts lying within Europe
The Dieppe Raid
Dieppe = French Coast
Aug 19, 1942 (6000 allied soldiers - mostly Canadian) launched an attack on the beaches
Said to have served no purpose… but
Canadians got valuable experience
Diverted attention from eastern front

5. D-day - Invasion of Normandy (p209)
June 6, 1944
“Operation Overload”
Plan was not a complete success
German Gun Positions knocked out by bombing
Canadians suffered 1074 casualties
359 deaths
The landing was however considered a success - The Allies now had a foothold in Europe - now just to push back German armies!
The Royal Canadian Navy contributed 110 ships and 10,000 sailors in support of the landings

6. Canadian Involvement around the World
Dec. 7, 1941 Japan entered the war by attacking Pearl Harbour, at this time they also attacked Hong Kong
Hong Kong - was a British island colony
Canadians supported British and Indian Forces in Hong Kong
Canada had 1975 troops in Hong Kong
Able to keep Japanese out until they ran out of ammunition and were forced to surrender (Dec 22, 1941)
A lot of Canadian lives lost in Hong Kong - as well as Canadian prisoners of war

7. Japanese Canadians and Pearl Harbour
Japanese attack Pearl Harbour (1941)
Canada feared an attack on their Western Front
All Japanese Canadians were shipped to interior BC
Canadians did not want those of Japanese descent to help hold an attack from within
December 8, 1941
“Yesterday, December 7, — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
-- Address to Congress after the attack on Pearl Harbour

8. Japanese Canadians
While Japanese Canadians at the home front were forced into internment camps, others were fighting with Canada overseas

9. Japanese Canadians and Pearl Harbour
Read page in your textbook
Answer question 3 on p. 240 of the text
A road crew of interned men building the Yellowhead Highway

10. Wartime restriction & access
Wartime hysteria and propaganda
Japanese Canadians were at the end of most of this hysteria and harsh treatment
“other” canadians forced to register as enemy aliens
650 in internment camps - aliens
1800 others in these camps who were “danger to the state”
Pro-Nazi groups rounded up and reprimanded
Canada’s Nazi Party - outlawed in 1940
Canadians conscientious objectors due to religious beliefs
Jehovah’s Witness Religion outlawed during the war (King's way of supporting the Catholic Church /Quebec ) - lifted before the end of the war

11. Wartime restriction & access
Black & Aboriginal Soldiers served in all major campaigns of WWII
Black Americans volunteered and fought with Canadian troops
Aboriginal people not considered Canadian Citizens had to get government permission to enlist - these people had to give up their Native status
Nevertheless 3000 Aboriginal people enlisted
Until 1942 Government ignored employer restrictions on Black Employees
Second World War gave rise to a higher demand for civil rights. .
Why do you think that is?

12. The Conscription Crisis (p.231/2)
PM King did not want WWII to divide French & English
1939: election promise to not introduce conscription for
service overseas
NRMA (national resources mobilization act)
Government passed in 1940
Young men called up for 30 days training later changed to 4 months
Difference between them and regular army - known as Zombies
1942: King asked for a plebiscite (vote) to release from his previous promise since casualties were so high
Quebeckers saw this as a betrayal
By 1944 King was told he had to send conscripts
Riots in Quebec stemmed from this HOWEVER Canada emerged from WWII much more united than they had been in WWI