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Period: to
1914-1929
Degree of Progress and Degree of Decline -
Francis Pegahmagabow
I would like to think Francis is a part of the degree of progress. He’s one of the original members of the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion. After surviving through poisonous gas in 1925, Francis acquired a fierce reputation as a deadly sniper among his soldiers. Because of his brave actions through the years, Francis won several awards and became a highly decorated Indigenous soldier. -
Jeremiah Jones
Jeremiah enlisted in the 106th oversea battalion. In 1917, he rescued his unit from an enemy machine gun nest that was a battle now known as one of Canada’s greatest successes. I think he’s part of the degree of progress, mainly because of heroic actions and especially after contributing to one of Canada’s greatest victory. -
Billy Bishop
Billy was famous for becoming a fighter pilot due to his exploits. He flew across enemy lines and managed to attack German aerodromes and shoot down German planes. It eventually evolved into weapons with machine guns to shoot down planes during the war. Because of that, battle in the air got deadlier as multiple different weapons were used on planes. Although there were multiple inventions created, this would be a degree of decline as it only inspired deadlier situations to happen. -
Women on the home front
In 1917, women were often encouraged to join the workforce to free men in the military and replace them in the workforce. Unfortunately, people of colour were still being mistreated in the workforce, especially black women; At least 80% of black women in Canadian cities worked in domestic services. This specific period of time was a huge degree of decline for Canada, as it wasn’t until the 1940s where all women fully gained rights in the workforce. -
Enemy Aliens and the home front
The provincial government in Alberta referred to specific Canadians as “alien” in 1917. Unfortunately, the right to vote was taken away from Canadians who were born in an enemy country. Because of all the discrimination, they had their businesses attacked and clubs closed down. This was a massive degree of decline since the government began a national internment operation where 8000 “enemy aliens” were arrested and sent to camps, only to be forced into labour and earned 25 cents a day. -
The economy on the home front
In 1917, there was a downfall in the economy due to factories trying to satisfy the needs for war. Although there was only a budget of $740 million for war production, the nation was $1.2 billion in debt since the Imperial Munitions board was spending more than the government itself. Surprisingly, the wartime industry did more than $2 million of business daily since the workers were pushed to support the war effort. This was neither a degree of progress or decline. -
Katherine MacDonalds
I believe Katherine is neither in the degree of progress or decline. She lost her life in 1918 due to a bombing in a british hospital. Katherine was the first Brantford nurse to become a self-sacrifice. Despite the demonstration of loyalty, there wasn’t much of a change in my opinion. -
Mae Belle Sampson
She’s the first nurse in the Hamilton area to enlist for service. Mae Belle served directly behind the front lines for clearing stations. She had to treat 15000 troops with only 2000 hospital beds. Mae Belle unfortunately died in 1918 while on the Llandovery Castle after being attacked by a German submarine. I think she’s also neither a degree of process or decline. -
Conscription and the home front
In order to fulfill Canada’s commitment to Britain in 1918, Borden’s union government began to enforce conscription. Over 400 000 citizens were required to register for military service. However, because of the military act, men were allowed to apply for an exemption. Because of that, there were over 90% of men who applied for exemption, though it was up to the local tribunals to decide. In my opinion. This was neither a degree of progress or decline. -
War artists
WWI created many opportunities that artists (photographers and painters) took to create pieces that represent heroic stories and images of soldiers on the battlefield. They were seen as Canada’s “Eye witness” to the war after using multiple media to tell the story of WWI. In my opinion, this would be a degree of progress, as it was used to retell important stories in creative ways.
