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How were French Canadians involved?
When the 1st contingent of the CEF sailed in October 1914, it contained a single organized French-speaking company (about 150 men). The second contingent of over 20,000 men, despatched to Britain in early 1915, had a single French-speaking Québec battalion, the 22nd, later nicknamed the “Van Doos.” Besides this battalion, the CEF was almost entirely an English-language institution, hardly an inducement for a French-Canadian to volunteer. -
Background information on a French Canadian person: Lieutenant Jean Brillant
Jean Brillant was born in Assemetquaghan, Quebec, on March 15, 1890. Having previously served with the Canadian Militia, Brillant enlisted in the 189th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in 1915. Late in 1916, he was assigned to the 22nd Infantry Battalion, CEF. -
How does Lieutenant Jean Brillant connects to my theme?
He was born a French Canadian and he contributed to helping Canada win the war. On the first day of operations shortly after the attack had begun, his company left flank was held up by an enemy machine-gun. Lt. Brillant rushed and captured the machine-gun, personally killing 2 of the enemy crew. This is just 1 of the many French Canadian experiences! -
How many French Canadians fought in the war
French Canada supplied approximately 15,000 volunteers during the war. Most came from Montreal, though Québec City, Western Québec and Eastern Ontario provided significant numbers. -
How French Canadians felt about entering WW1
The recruiting effort in Quebec had failed, and the Canadian government turned to its only remaining option: conscription. Almost all French Canadians opposed conscription; they felt that they had no particular loyalty to either Britain or France. Led by Henri Bourassa, they felt their only loyalty was to Canada. French Canadians loved the country they called home but when conscription was happening, it slowly started dividing the English and French Canadians apart. -
Conscription during WW1
The 1917 conscription debate was one of the fiercest and most divisive in Canadian political history. French Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed/disagreed with the measure(conscription). Conscription is the cause of many French Canadians being angry at the government causing riots and arguments! The consequences of conscription left violence, bloodshed and ripping open the country's linguistic divide.