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Causes of World War II
There were many causes to the Second World War such as Totalitarianism. Hitler wanted to make Germany a powerful nation; he broke his promise to a non-aggression pact by invading Czechoslovakia. Along with Germany, Japan invaded China to expand their territory and influence. Mussolini also wanted to expand Italy’s power. The league was ineffective in preventing nationalistic aggression because they had no military to enforce policies. This aggression all over the world paved the road to war. -
Response to World War II
Canada’s response to World War II was mainly isolationism; keeping affairs outside its borders. Canada did not want to become involved in another world conflict. There was a lot of racism during this time and Jewish refugees were seen as a burden on the state. Mackenzie King knew about these Jewish refugees but maintained Canada’s isolationist policy. As anti-Semitism increased there were many deportations, and Canada was reluctant to accept any more immigrants. -
Beginning of World War II
When the war started Canada did not automatically join, King called a special session in Parliament to decide and voted in favour of going to war. On September 10th 1939 Canada declared war on Germany. Although they were willing to join the war they were ill prepared. They only had 4300 troops, few tanks, and no modern artillery. Mackenzie King introduced the BCATP to train pilots and aircrew, he hoped this would be Canada's main contribution. -
Axis Advance I
The Axis was the alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan. During the first advance of the Axis, German tanks invaded the French port of Dunkirk. This caused the British Navy to evacuate the port to Britain. However, the French Army was no match for Germany and they surrendered. Once France fell, Germany wanted to invade Britain. They started by bombing and destroying harbours in England. In the end Hitler was unable to defeat the Royal Air Force and gave up his plans to invade Britain. -
Axis Advance II
During the second advance Hitler and Italy both wanted control of valuable resources in Africa. Once Italy entered on the side of the Axis, British forces were sent in to destroy the Italian's. Germany was then called to support the Italians but neither side won any decisive victories. Hitler’s next plan was “Operation Barbarossa” which was an attack on the Soviet Union. Hitler wanted this land but after suffering many losses he surrendered. The Soviets were now against Hitler. -
Crimes Against Humanity
Holocaust: 1941, Hitler ordered all Jewish people and “undesirables” to concentration camps because of his anti-Semitic and racist views. They were either killed right away or used as slaves until they too were murdered. The Germans killed 6 million Jewish people and another 5 million “undesirables.” The Nuremberg Trials were established to prosecute Nazi leaders. -
Crimes Against Humanity: Asia
Liberators of Japanese POW camps encountered terrible war crimes by POWs and civilians. Japan’s acts violated international law and sentences were passed on military personnel for crimes against humanity. -
War in the Pacific
In 1941 Japan began to look to gain valuable resources and chose American colonies to invade. On December 7th, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on the American island of Hawaii. The US responded by declaring war on Japan and joining the Allies, which in turn caused Germany and Italy to declare war on the US. Japan attacked the British colony of Hong Kong which fell on December 25th, 1941. Every Canadian soldier was either killed or taken prisoner and the anti-Japanese sentiment began in Canada. -
Tide Turns
Russia believed the best way to invade Europe was from both sides; so on August 19th1942 Allied forces invaded the French port of Dieppe. Unfortunately, the German forces were ready and the raid ended in a complete disaster now known as the Dieppe Raid. On July 10th, 1943 the Allies continued the plan and invaded the island of Sicily, which was captured after 38 days. Lastly, the Allies captured the Italian city of Ortona on December 28th, 1943. -
Canada's Contribution
During WWII the Royal Canadian Navy participated in a battle to control a shipping route, known as the Battle of the Atlantic. The Allies prevailed in May 1943. The RCN was responsible for half of the escorts of ships across the Atlantic. The RCN and the Royal Canadian Air Force began to create many shore-based jobs for women. Finally, the RCAF participated in bombings that were said to be to retaliate for the Axis’ actions, to diminish morale and to destabilize industrial centres. -
War at Home
Women: women were in high demand as factory workers.
Economy: King wanted to avoid what happened after WW I so he introduced the following: Victory bonds, food rationing, increased income tax, and wages and prices were kept frozen.
Social: . The workers were striking for higher wages and
collective bargaining, and the CCF was becoming increasingly popular.
Conscription: King promised no more concription, conservatives wanted more to be done but Quebec didnt want conscription. -
D-Day
On July 6th, 1944 the Allies launched their largest invasion on five beaches in Northern France. Canadian troops were members of the Juno beach invasion, and the Battles of Scheldt and Rhineland. The Battle of Scheldt was won on March 10th, and the Battle of Rhineland on April 28th, both in 1945. Canadian soldiers helped liberate the people of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and later Holland because the invasions had been kept secret. On May 7th, 1945 Germany surrendered to the Allies. -
Change in Canada
Economic: Canada provided military and economic support to Allies, leading to an increase in production of Aluminum. Many new jobs were created and agriculture was taken over by manufacturing.
Social: More women were employed and many immigrants came from Europe.
Political: Canadian troops proved themselves on battlefields and Aboriginal, Asian, Black and other minority groups helped further civil rights for Canadians. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The Americans wanted Japan to surrender so on August 6, 1945 an American bomber plane dropped the atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb unleashed terrible destruction. Three days later a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. It’s estimated that 100 000 people were killed and another 100 000 were wounded. Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945 ending the Second World War.
