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Canada Declares War
Ranking +1
Rationale: Canada's entry into WWI was the main event that occurred throughout the time period. Canada's joining the war allowed progress or decline to happen, and it provoked change in the country. This event received a ranking of +1 because many people thought of the war as a good thing. Farmers were able to get paid more by joining the army. Politicians and most of the population thought Canada could earn honour and respect through the war. Even still, some people were against it. -
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Women Nurses Overseas
Ranking +2
Rationale: Women going overseas to be nurses during the war was a huge turning point for society's perspective on women. After hearing of women going overseas, many people began to think that women could hold their own and were not just "helpless creatures." Women going overseas as nurses deserve a ranking of +2 because they got to prove their worth and that they were capable of hard tasks. I believe this is related to women getting the right to vote, which happened around that time. -
Canada Introduces Internment Camps
Ranking -2
Rationale: Internment camps were terrible yet important to the history of Canada during this time period. Canada's introduction of internment camps gets a ranking of -2 as it is one of the worst things Canada did during this time. Internment camps caused sickness, death and separation between the families of "enemy aliens." The camps were so widespread through Canada and caused lots of harm to those of Austro-Hungarian and German descent, even those who were not forced into a camp. -
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Francis Pegahmagabow
Ranking +1
Rationale: When the war started, there was controversy about letting First Nations fight in the war. Francis Pegahmagabow is important because he was one of the first First Nations people to fight in the war and contributed heavily in battles as a sniper. Francis fighting in the war gets a ranking of +1 because while he and other First Nations were in uniform, they were treated as equals, unlike back home. This also kickstarted First Nations people being treated equally in Canada. -
Jeremiah Jones
Ranking +1
Rationale: At first, black people were not allowed to fight at war, but after Canada needed many more men, black people were granted the ability to enlist. This was a turning point for Canada because now they had more soldiers and could win battles like Vimy Ridge because of people like Jeremiah Jones. Jeremiah deserves a ranking of +1 because he turned the tide in the battle of Vimy Ridge and is a primary factor in Canada's success. He had proven a black man's worth in a white army. -
The Addition of Conscription
Ranking -1
Rationale: When Prime Minister Borden announced conscription, it was a huge deal, mainly separating French and English Canadians. This frustrated so many Canadians that Borden used bribery tactics to win the next election and enact this law. Conscription received a ranking of -1 because it created unnecessary conflicts between French and English Canadians when less than 1% of men even went off to war through conscription. However, it also did not have any negative long-term effects. -
Prohibition
Ranking -1
Rationale: Prohibition was a country-wide federal law that received crazy backlash and many protests. The majority of the population wanted prohibition gone, and Quebec dropped the law the same year it began enforcing it. Prohibition got a ranking of -1 because it was unfavoured by most Canadians and was a very unnecessary law. Prohibition was not around for too long, but during its time, it boosted drug use, crime, violence, and the illegal manufacturing of liquor and transportation. -
End of WW1
Ranking +2
Rationale: The end of WWI was the most significant event in this period, and every citizen felt relieved. This marked the end of death and suffering at war but the beginning of the consequences of the war back home. The end of WWI deserves a ranking of +2 because countries, including Canada, are finally at peace, and at last, there is no more bloodshed. Canadian soldiers get to return home to their families, and Canada can finally begin focusing on building up its economy. -
Workers Crisis
Ranking -1
Rationale: The worker's crisis in Canada was one of the many consequences of the war. This was a substantial event because workers' wages couldn't keep up with the cost of living, which sparked many protests. The workers' crisis gets a ranking of -1 because many people and their families could not even afford basic necessities. Unemployment also rose as soldiers were returning back home from war. With low wages and poor working conditions, over 30000 people left their jobs in protest. -
Canada Strives for Full Independence
Ranking +1
Rationale: Canada's strive for complete independence is why we are the country we are today. Prime Minister Borden began to push for complete independence when Canada independently signed the Treaty of Versailles, entering the League of Nations. This event gets a ranking of +1 because, without that drive, Canada would still be under the ties of Britain, which were cut in 1982 when Canada created its constitution. Even though we are independent, we are still strong allies with Britain.