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Canada went to war
When Britain went to war on 4 August, all colonies and dominions of the British Empire, like Canada had to go with them. -2 because they were forced to fight into the war. -
First Internment Camp for “Enemy Aliens”
The first internment camp for “enemy aliens,” meaning people residing in Canada who were born in enemy countries, opened in Fort Henry, ON. Those interned were people of Ukrainian descent (forming the majority of internees), as well as people of German, Turkish, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian origin. -2 because people were forced into camps based on the country they originated from. -
War Measures Act
Canada passed the War Measures Act in order to provide the government with new and intrusive powers to prosecute the war. These powers included censorship, the right to detain and arrest Canadians, and the right to take control over any property. -2 because the government shouldn't have that type of power over people. -
Manitoba Women Get Vote
Manitoba was the first province in Canada to grant women the right to vote and to hold political office provincially. +2 because women like Nellie McClung have fought hard to let their voices be heard. -
Beaumont Hamel
The Newfoundland Regiment went into battle at Beaumont Hamel as part of a general British offensive, but due to error and miscalculation, the Regiment attacked through uncut barbed wire against heavy machine-gun fire. Within 30 minutes, 324 of its 801 soldiers were dead or missing, and another 386 were wounded. -2 because there was a huge technical error which cost the lives of almost 324 man. -
Battle of vimy ridge
Canada had successfully attacked the German-held strongpoint of Vimy Ridge. The thoroughly planned and executed victory has become a post-war symbol for Canadian identity and independence. +2 because Canada had a success while attacking German-held. -
Wartime Elections Act
In preparation for an election mainly on the issue of conscription (mandatory military service), the government changed the election rules. Some Canadian women were able to vote for the first time, while other Canadians lost their right to vote in sweeping changes to enfranchisement. +1 because we were moving forward by giving more women voices, but at the same time we were taking away other Canadians voices. -
Battle of passchendaele
This battle was brutal a fight with horrible weather conditions. Canadian forces, serving under a Canadian commander, captured their objective but suffered 16,000 killed or wounded. -2 because many people lost there lives. -
The Hundred Days
Canada played a key role in the series of battles that formed the Hundred Days campaign. With the infantry and artillery working in a combined arms system, along with tactical airpower, machine-guns, mortars, chemical weapons, and armoured vehicles, the German armies were driven back and defeated. +2 Canada defeated the Germans. -
Armistice
The war ended at 11 a.m. on this day. More than nine million service personnel and an estimated 20 million civilians were killed in the war. +2 because the war was finally put to an end.