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Causes of the second world war
After WW2 it was almost expected that Germany would rebel, in 1933, Hitler intended to recreate his once powerful nation after coming into power, After ordering his troops into Rhineland the continuous acts began. Two years after Germany took over Australia once again, Britain and France then made a deal with Hitler to promise he would not invade the rest of Czechoslovakia but in March 1939 he broke him promise, and on September 1st attacked Poland forcing Britain and France to declare war. -
The beggining
World war 2 began September 1st 1939 after Germany invaded Poland. On September 8th King called a session of parliament to decide if Canada should join the war. On September 10th of that year Canada declared war on Germany. Although Canada was very willing to go to war they were not prepared, and had to gather the necessary equipment and troops before setting off. -
Battle of the Atlantic
This was a struggle between the Allies and the Axis to control the Allies shipping route across the Atlantic Ocean. Since German submarines pounded convoys, sinking hundreds of ships the situation started to turn around and the allies didn't lose the Battle of the Atlantic.The British had cracked the German naval code, allowing the Allies to track German submarine movements. German U-boats destroyed hundreds of supply ships and Canada started building small warship called corvettes in response. -
Canada's responce to the threat of war.
Canada practiced isolationism, trying to keep from other counties affairs. King did not want Canada to be involved in the war and hoped Britain's appeasement toward Hitler would work. Once the war started Canada saw what was happening in Germany as a domestic issue that doesn't affect them. This kept Jewish immigrants from fleeing into Canada due to our immigration policies. -
Evacuation at Dunkirk
The evacuation of Dunkirk happened after Germany launched an attack on France through Belgium when they reached the English Channel and surrounded Dunkirk port. The evacuation began two days before German Luftwaffe bombed the port on May 28th. After this Germany had successfully over thrown France, and later pulling into Britain where they tried to hit the Allies once again. -
Desert war
After Hitler’s Invasion on France and before the attack on Britain, the Axis forces began a three-year campaign in the deserts of North Africa. This became known as the desert war, and was a struggle to control valuable resources and strategic control. After Italy’s capture of Abyssinia it and Britain engaged in a back and forth concurring of land. By December 1940 Britain destroyed the Italian army. -
Battle of Britain
The autumn following the Dunkirk evacuation Germany launched a campaign called the battle of Britain. In this battle Germany launched "Operation Sea lion" after France fell. This was Hitler’s plan to invade Britain but for this to work he needed to take out The Royal Air Force, allowing German forces to cross the English Channel to land in Britain. During the Battle many things happened such as the bombing on Britain, Britain bombing Berlin in return, resulting in "the Blitz" raids. -
Operation Barbarossa
Once Hitler succeeded in the Battle of Britain he launched "Operation Barbarossa." This attack on the Soviet Union broke the non-aggression act between Germany and Stalin. The Soviets, Unprepared for this attack lost a massive chunk of land to Germany but they were foolish and were not ready for the harsh Soviet winters and quickly lost their advantages. This happened twice before Soviet Union joined the Allies. -
War at the Pacific
Japan begin a campaign to invade American and European colonies to gain control of oil, rubber and tin.Their strategy depended on decisive strike against U.S and their places bombed U.S naval base in Pearl Harbor. At the end of the war US joined Allies and then Japan allies declared war on U.S so the whole world was at the war. Hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked Hong Kong which was known as "Black Christmas" , because every Canadian was either killed or taken as prisoner. -
War in the Air
Canadian air crews were pasted overseas and participated in bombing raids. The women trained in many jobs.The RCAF which grew quickly once the war began, participated in night bombings over Germany. Canada's Bomber group pounded German cities, night after night. These cities were targeted To retaliate for the German air acids on English cities and to diminish German morale and to destabilize German industrial centers. During the war nearly 10 000 Canadian Bomber Group members lost their lives. -
the War at Home
Canadian factories were dedicated producing supplies and war materials. Women joined war industries in unusual roles, they became high demand.People suddenly had more money to spend from the increased production and employment.The government used the money to help finance the war, bought victory Bonds and people cashed in the bonds for profit after the war. The Wartime Prices and Trade Board, froze all wages and prices, finally Canadians were limited on using meat, sugar, butter and coffee. -
Economic Change in Canada
Under it's policy of total war, Canada provided major majority and economic support to the Allies during the War. Canada gave the Allies billions of dollars in financial aid. Virtually every sector of Canadian economy boomed. There was a rapid increase in the production of aluminum, wood and paper production raise, as did mining and smelting. Also great increase in the demand for petroleum to fuel tanks, trucks and airplanes. -
Building an Identaty
Just two decades earlier,Canada had been a colony in the British Empire, By the end of the World War II, Canada has emerged as a major player in a global conflict, with one of the world's largest navies and fourth largest Allies air force. Once again, Canadian troops proved themselves in the battlefields and were recognized for their contribution to the Allied victory. Many Canadians were killed, wounded, captured, the World War II became a defining event in the development of Canada's identity. -
Social Changes in Canada
Women were employed in great numbers during the war. Their contribution helped o raise their profile in society and promote their rights as workers. There was significant wave of immigration: foreign women who were married Canadian troops serving overseas and then immigrated to Canada after the war. Once they arrived many faced a difficult adjustment. After the war Canada lost some of it's immigration restrictions to allow more people to come to Canada to meet the growing demand for labor.
