1. The Great War
Racism in Canada

2. The Canadian Army
Sam Hughes decided that instead of building a uniquely Canadian Army, he wanted to model the British Army
He assumed that a British-Style Canadian Army could best fit into the British Chain of Command
Therefore, he actively discouraged French Canadians and Ethnic minorities from joining the Army

3. French Canadians in the Army
French Canadians were encouraged to join the Army
However, Hughes refused to have French instructors or create all-French Units
Therefore, French Canadians were divided into English speaking units and trained only in English

4. Non-White Soldiers
There was no official policy discriminating against anyone
However, in order to join a military unit, a recruit needed approval from the unit commander
A commander could deny entry for any reason and without explanation
Therefore, most non-white soldiers were simply turned away

5. Native Soldiers Native Soldiers volunteered in large numbers
Many were turned away but they were increasing accepted as the war dragged on
Natives were come of the best soldiers in the war
They won more medals per person than any other ethnic group

6. Black Soldiers Black men faced the greatest discrimination of all
While some units accepted Natives, Asians and Southern Europeans, almost no one would accept Black men
As the amount of new recruits dropped, the need for soldiers increased
However, black men were still not trusted to fight alongside whites

7. The No. 2 Construction Battalion
In 1916, the Canadian Army authorized the creation of an all-black unit with white commanders
Black volunteers from across Canada and the USA rushed to join
However, the battalion was placed in “non-combat” roles only
They built roads and trenches, cleared land mines and carried wounded men

8. Racism on the Home Front
When the war started, the Canadian government declared the “War Measures Act”
This law suspended the rights of Canadians and give almost unlimited power to the government
The government used this power to go after “Enemy Aliens” (people born in countries that Canada was at war with)
Germans and Austria/Hungarians were spied on and forced to register and report to the police on a regular basis
Sometimes they were arrested, placed in internment camps and had their possessions taken away
Ukrainians suffered the worst treatment of all