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Causes of WWII
Hitler rose to power hoping to bring Germany’s status as a powerful nation back. He ignored the policy of appeasement that Germany made with the British prime minister, and he signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet-Union. The League of Nations didn’t have enough military stop aggressions. When Japan invaded Manchuria, and when Italy invaded Abyssinia, the League of Nations could do nothing more then attempt to bargain with Japan, and impose trade sanctions against Italy. -
Canada's Response to the threat of War
Canada responded to the threat of war by starting the policy of isolationism to avoid another massive debt. Canadians felt that the issues going on in Germany were their own problems, and had nothing to do with Canada. These feelings of “your problems, not mine” made it very difficult for refugees to enter Canada. Many Canadians began to be anti-Semitic, and denied entry to the SS St. Louise attempting to dock in Canadian ports as a last resort before returning to Germany, -
The Begining
Prime Minister King brought the issue of declareing war to parliament. It was voted to enter the war, and King promised no conscription. The Canadian military started out with very few troops, and light artillery, but the urge to enlist was supported by; a feeling of duty to Britain, a feeling of nationalism, and the appeal of steady income. King hoped that Canada could contribute mostly training and supplies in the war, but soon the country became engulfed in the policy of “total war”. -
Axis Advance I
The allies set up troops along France’s boarder to defent against the axis. They were stationed there seven months before Germany’s blitzkrieg. Germany attacked allied forces in Dunkirk, and the troops were forced to evacuate.Dunkirk was bombed by the German’s Luftwaffe two days later.Hitler began a bombing crusade in Britain (the Blitz).The Royal Air Force of Britain was not defeated by the Germans, and The Battle of Battle of Britain was fought to prevent Germany from having a stronger airforc -
Axis Advance II
Axis Advance II
After a certain German victory in France, the Axis forces began a three year campaign to gain control of resources and positions in North Africa. In order to do this, they had to dominate the Mediterranean which would allow them access to rich oil in the Middle East. The British Commonwealth fought against Italy and Germany on the second front, a battle which lasted 3 years with no victory from either side, after which followed an Allied victory in Sicily. After their defeat, Ge -
War in the Pacific
War in the Pacific
The main catalyst which started the war in the Pacific came from the Japanese’ idea to expand their territory. To carry out their campaign, they needed to invade American and European colonies and subsequently bombed Hawaii’s Pearl Harbour and American territory in the Philippines. After being attacked, the United States joined the Allies, who declared war on Japan and moved Canadian soldiers to the nearby British Hong Kong. Japan, Germany and Italy in turn declared war on th -
Canada's Contributions to the War
In the heat of a vicious war, Canada contributed in many ways. Britain depended on Canada and the US for many resources and as the Royal Canadian Navy grew short of ships, Canada built many more including small, quick corvettes to escort convoys. Many of the long range liberator bomber bases were stationed in Canada, and the men of the Royal Canadian Airforce participated in night-time bombing raids in which they destroyed Hamburg. Whiel the men were sent on raids, the women were working behind -
The TIde Turns
After joining the Allies, the Soviets led them in an attack of Europe from the west, causing Germany to fight on two fronts. They planned to do this by attacking the French port Dieppe, before which they would launch 4 pre-dawn attacks along the coast. Unfortunately, the Allies were unorganized and the Canadians lost due to a handful of unforeseen barricades, such as the lack of traction between their tanks and the sand and the late arrival of the Canadian soldier ships. The Allies then attacke -
D-Day
The allies launched a full scale invasion with air & naval support of Europe called the operation overload spanning 5 beaches along 80 km stretch of Normandy. Juno beach has 14,000 Canadian soldiers in their first wave of attack which successfully fought inland 9 km’s. In the battle of Scheldt Canadians cleared enemy troops from Scheldt River. Many different attacks were made upon the several code-named beaches. This invasion was the largest in the world and occured in June, 1944 . -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Though Japanese naval and air forces were destroyed their army continued to stand strong and undefeated, leaving their enemy to determine a way to their army. Thus, Americans and Britain’s with Canada’s supply of Uranium developed an atomic bomb. With this extreme type of warfare developed Japan had no chance. In August 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima, a Japanese city and then on Nagasaki. With hundreds of thousands dead and wounded Japan surrendered. Japan realized their army wa -
Crimes Against Humanity
Crimes against humanity despite the atrocities led to the Universal declaration of Human Rights. In 1941 the Nazi government’s final solution as an anti-Semitic nation began genocide of 6 million Jewish people with concentration camps. These acts led to the Nuremberg trials which would prosecute the Nazi leaders. These trials were the 1st time leaders of a country were charged for immoral acts during wartime and acted as a model for prosecution of future war criminals in Rwanda & former Yugoslav -
The War at Home
A demand for social & economic change was in effect in Canada after the war. With women in the war effort as factory workers, the wartime economy was boosted, which increased spending. Prime Minister Mackenzie King wanted to avoid inflation with victory bonds, increased income taxes, and goods rationing. The government limited the power of unions, making striking for higher wages less effective. PM King promised there would be no conscription but the NRMA stepped in and allowed it for homeland s -
What the War Meant to Canada
With WW2 numerous changes in Canada’s economy, society, and identity occurred. Our country was a major source of supplies as well as financial support for allies during the war, creating a surplus of jobs. Both women and immigrant’s rights were promoted with rapid female employment and the loosened restrictions in immigration with war brides from Europe. With one of the largest navies, and air forces as well as continuously proving themselves in the battlefields, Canada’s identity was more estab
