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Color Coordinated
Purple- Political
Green- Economic
Pink- Social -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
On June 28th, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife were both assassinated in Sarajevo by a man named, Gavrillo Princip. -
The Start of WW1
World War 1 officially began on July 28, 1914. The Austrian-Hungarian empire declared War on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. -
Canada Becomes Involved
When the German army declared War on France, they entered neutral Belgium in order to invade France. Britain declared War on Germany and Canada also declared War on Germany because it was a colony of Britain at the time. This strengthened the bond between Canada and Britain. +2 Pink -
The War Measures Act
This Act allowed police to arrest and imprison people without charging them and people born in enemy countries like Ukrainians, Germans, Austrians, Hungarians and Croatians. The government called them "enemy aliens" and began to imprison 8000 "enemy aliens" in a camp. In the camps, they worked hard labor for 25 cents a day, doing manual projects such as digging ditches, building roads and constructing national parks. This created a separation in Canada. -2 Purple -
French-Canadian Regiment
French-Canadian soldiers felt no loyalty to Britain. Many took their role seriously overseas, feeling the need to represent Canada and Quebec, especially to the French citizens and soldiers. They struggled with the English-speaking military instructions and so they were often alienated and not promoted within the armed forces. After the French-Canadian Regiment was formed, many French-Canadian soldiers could finally be promoted to higher ranks. This brought two languages together. +2 Pink -
Trench Warfare
In England, Canadians endured long miserable winter training in the mud and rain in Salisbury Plain. It rained all the time and the mud was ankle-deep. They thought that it couldn't get worse but it did. In February 1915, they were introduced to trench warfare. It turned out that it only got worse for the soldiers. The conditions in Salisbury were only an ominous sign of things to come. During the War they were faced with many deaths caused by poison gas released by the Germans. -2 Green -
Lieutenant Colonel Allison Borden's Letter
On February 14th 1916, Lieutenant Colonel Allison Borden wrote a letter that was distributed to teachers in the province of Nova Scotia. Every child was given it in hopes that they would share it with their families so that fathers and big brothers would enlist in the War. In the letter it tells children to work harder while their fathers are gone and that if their parents don't join, then Germany would destroy all their farms and houses. This encourages the students to even ask friends.+1Purple -
Military Service Act
The Military Service Act made military service compulsory for men between 20 and 45 years old.This was known as conscription and fueled anger and resentment amongst many Canadians. French Canadians felt their government had no right to involve them in a war that had nothing to do with them. This made the French-Canadians angry because they felt like they don't have to carry the burden. -2 Purple -
Certain Women Given the Right to Vote
The Prime Minister needed extra electoral votes in order to get the conscription accepted. Borden allowed women to vote who were relatives of soldiers and nurses actively serving overseas.This included daughters, mothers, nieces, aunts and wives.However, many women groups were not happy with this.They were opposed that only certain women were allowed to vote. This was still progress for women because Canada realized that women were helpful and gave all women the right to vote. +1 Purple -
The Income War Tax Act
The government had to turn to the citizens to help finance the War. Taxes on tobacco, alcohol, transport tickets, and telegrams were introduced. Even tea and coffee were taxed. This act introduced a tax based on yearly income to most Canadians. Those who were active overseas were exempted as well as people with an annual income under $2000. People were fined $100 per day if not paid. -2 Green -
Consequences of Wartime Debt
The War would produce both intended and unintended consequences for the city of Halifax in Nova Scotia. Business and industry were booming as factories and industry met the demands of a wartime economy. By 1917, the Halifax harbor was always busy. On December 6 1917, two ships collided which caused an explosion. One ship was carrying explosive materials and it made a force stronger than any explosion. More than 1500 people were killed and hundreds died from their injuries soon after. -2 Green -
Women Who Were Nurses
Nurses were sacrificing their lives every day to help the lives of other Canadians.They worked very hard and they were noticed. People's perspective of women changed. Nursing sister Katherine MacDonald lost her life at the age of 25 after an enemy air attack on the 1st Canadian General Hospital on May 19th, 1918. For some Canadians, images and news of nurses working hard at the front and sacrificing their lives helped to change notions of women as fragile, helpless creatures. +2 Pink
