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Japan Invades Manchuria
Tim Cook describes the greater context of the world events that Canada was faced with leading up to the second world war. One of these, was the aggressive imperial actions of Japan, who invaded Manchuria in 1931, and later started a full blown war with China in 1937. (Tim Cook. 'Warlords', 192). -
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
During the onset of the 1930's, Germany had pulled itself out of the great depression caused by the intensive war debts. During this time, Adolf Hitler rose to power by feeding off fear and creating hidden enemies to scapegoat. A process that was solidified by his appointment as chancellor in 1933, and later as dictator of Germany. Immediately after gaining control, he began to rearm the country. He then postured aggressively in the international sphere, and eliminated political opponents. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
Mussolini led Italy into an imperial conquest in Africa, while the western powers debated sanctions against him. Canadian diplomat W.A. Riddell attempted to advocate for oil sanctions to cut off Italy, and force them to negotiate. However, King's newly elected cabinet refused to act against Italy, as he believed the Canadian people would not go to war over Ethiopia. (Tim Cook, Warlords, 193). -
William Lyon Mackenzie King becomes Prime Minister of Canada
Canada also faced a great depression in the 1930's. Their Prime Minister R.B. Bennett admitted that "capitalism was broken, and only massive government injection of funds into the economy could create jobs and restore faith" (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 191). However, by that time it was too little too late. Mackenzie King campaigned on a slogan of 'King or Chaos', and the public chose King. (Tim Cook. 'Warlords', 190-192). -
King furthers the relationship with the United States
King traveled to America to meet with President Roosevelt, and there they made a deal to further trade. Tariffs were dropped on a number of agricultural and manufactured goods (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 197-198). Roosevelt ignored call for isolationism from the voters, and furthered ties because "Canadian-American solidarity was a necessity in a world showing signs of political and moral disintegration." (Richard N. Kottman, The Canadian-American Trade Agreement of 1935, 296). -
Hitler occupies the Rhineland
After Canada, France, and Great Britain all individually turned away from action against Italy, Hitler was further encouraged to act aggressively. He reoccupied the Rhineland which served as a buffer zone between Germany and France, and while the League of Nations reacted negatively, they once again refused to act. During this time, Mackenzie King remarked "In a word, the attitude of the government is to do nothing" (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 196). -
Canada refuses to aid in the Spanish Civil War
In Spain, communists and fascists fought a civil war over control of the country. The Spanish fascists were aided by both Italy and Germany. However, Canada was anti-communist, and anti-fascist and so once again Canada refused to get involved in the conflict. Several left-leaning and communist Canadians left the country to enroll in the international forces but King's government refused to officially involve itself. (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 196). -
King promotes appeasement at the 1937 Imperial Conference
Great Britain called upon the dominions in the 1937 Imperial conference to propose an empire wide defensive strategy. King however had different ideas. He refused to commit to any such plan. He advocated for appeasement policies, and believed war had to be avoided at all costs. (Tim Cook, 'warlords', 199). It is interesting to note that other dominions were mostly for defense. New Zealand, and South Africa were clear examples. (Robert R. Wilson, 'The Imperial Conference of 1937', 335-339.) -
King meets with Hitler
King, like Chamberlain, believed Hitler could be negotiated with and talked out of further conflict. He visited Germany to meet with Hitler on the 29th of June, 1937. King was convinced by Hitler's statement that Germany had "no desire for war". He left Germany with the belief that war would be avoided. (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 200). -
Despite signs of oncoming war, King's cabinet poorly rearms
During the crucial years of 1937-1939, King's administration was spending more on medicaid and veteran's pay than on rebuilding the military. King's policy of no commitment was backed by a lack of urgency to be prepared. He inevitably recognized it in a diary entry where he stated "our defense was wholly inadequate and ineffective." This meant Canada had no capabilities of reacting with force to Hitler's actions, even if they wanted to (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 204). -
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Hitler Annexes Austria and then Invades Czechoslovakia
Despite considerable concessions by the West, Hitler continued with his aggressive territorial ambitions. First he annexed Austria in March of 1938, and then aimed towards the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain attempted to further appease Hitler and avoid war with the Munich Agreement. King had agreed with Chamberlain's peace negotiations, and believed war could still be avoided (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 200-201). -
Hitler invades Poland, Britain declares war, and Canada reacts
On September 1st, 1939, Hitler pressed the final trigger, and Britain was forced to go to war. They declared war on September 3rd. However, Canada did not immediately join the war effort. King believed that Hitler could still be reasoned with, that the Poles had forced him into conflict. He also knew Canada was not prepared for war. Parliament voted on joining the war on September 10th, in what was a virtually unanimous vote, and thus Canada was at war (Tim Cook, 'Warlords', 209-213).
