First World War Canada Essay

War unites nations and divides continents; it can form alliances and collapse mighty empires. In the past hundred years, wars have raged across larger battlefields than ever before. These large conflicts have contributed greatly to technological advancements and increased patriotism in the countries involved. Canada is no exception to this, and the wars she has been involved in have impacted her more than anything else over the past century. Over the past hundred years, war has instilled ideas of patriotism, independence and bravery in the Canadian identity. Canada fought fiercely for independence after World War I showed it could function without the assistance of Britain. When World War II broke out, Canada vaulted seriously onto the world

stage with a new, industrialized economy. Finally, Canada continues to demonstrate its strength and compassion through peacekeeping efforts in war-torn areas.

First of all, Canadians found a newfound sense of patriotism and a greater desire for independence following the First World War. Over a hundred years ago, Canada was barely functioning as an independent country. When the First World War broke out, Canada was automatically brought into the conflict with the rest of British Empire. From the moment the first troops arrived overseas in 1915, the Canadian Corps proved they were a formidable fighting force, winning conflicts at Ypres, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele. As Veterans Canada stated, “In 1914, Canada entered the war as a colony, a mere extension of Britain overseas; in 1918 she was forging visibly ahead to nationhood” (“The Aftermath”). First of all, Canadians felt as though they had all done something together, which brought about unity. This unity led to feelings of fierce patriotism, creating a Canada in search of full autonomy. Additionally, the war taught many of the Empire’s colonies that Britain was economically dependent; this shattered the image most had of a strong, independent motherland. Though Borden tried to raise money in support of Britain, many believed that independence was the better option at this point. Finally, the strength of the Canadian Corps paved the way for a Canadian place in the

League of Nations and at the table during the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles. As the Canadian War Museum wrote, “their primary fighting force at the front, the Canadian Corps, had achieved a first-class reputation as one of the most effective formations on the Western Front” (“The War’s Impact on Canada”). The strength of Canada’s military proved essential in winning the war, and Canada was rewarded with both a spot in the League of Nations and an independent seat at the negotiation table for the Treaty of Versailles. Both of these were seen as national accomplishments for Canadians already leaning towards full autonomy, which further increased patriotism and pride amongst Canadians. These factors connect to the historical thinking concept of continuity and change. Prior to the war, Canada was nothing more than a colony of the British Empire, and English and French were divided over many issues. A notable example of this division was the conscription crisis of 1917, something that came close to irreversibly damaging relations between the two groups. Following the war, however, Canadians of all backgrounds united in support of Canadian autonomy. This pride led to a desire for action to be taken, which led to several uprisings in the 1920s. The first example of this phenomenon was the Winnipeg General Strike, which allowed workers to rally behind a single cause. This passion culminated in the field of political independence, in the Chanak Crisis, the Balfour Report, and finally the Statue of Westminster. This change would have been impossible without the patriotism brought into Canadians through their success in the First World War.
Secondly, the Canadian identity was immeasurably shifted in WWII; the Second World War turned Canada into a major player in world politics.

Twenty years after WWI, Canada found themselves in another tense situation. Nazi Germany had sent its iron fist crashing down upon Europe. Unlike World War I, Canada decided to contribute independently from Britain. By the time the dust settled in 1945, 44 000 had lost their lives in the war. First of all, Canada made major technological advancements during the war that proved crucial in ensuring an Allied victory. Millions were directly and indirectly employed to make munitions, vehicles and weapons for soldiers overseas. Additionally, farms produced vast quantities of meat, grain and produce to feed war efforts in Europe. This massive effort paved the way for a more economically sound nation once the war ended. Aside from factories and farms, both the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force were seriously improved over the course of the war. The Navy grew 100 times in size, ending up employing over 100 000 men by the war’s end; at this point, Canada’s navy was the third-largest in the world. This large fleet helped the Allies win the Battle of the Atlantic and open up important shipping routes for supplies and troops. If the Battle of the Atlantic had been lost, many resources would have never made it to Europe, and the war could have been lost by the Allies. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Air Force quickly became one of Canada’s biggest

contributions to the war. According to the Canadian Battlefields Foundation, “from a meagre force of largely obsolete aircraft in 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which enlisted almost 250,000 men and women during the war, came to be an essential player in the Allies’ gaining air superiority in Europe and in mounting devastating bomber raids against enemy targets” (“About Canada’s Role in WWII”). The Battle of Britain, for example, was one of the closest calls for the Allied forces. Had they lost the battle, their strategic foothold in Europe could have been lost. Instead, the Royal Canadian Air Force greatly contributed to the British victory, which allowed the Allies a well-defended station just off of Nazi shores. All of these technological contributions eventually led to a victory for Canada and her allies; the triumph increased patriotism and pride within the country, and ensured the safety of Canada for generations. Furthermore, relations between Canada and her allies were greatly improved as a result of the war. As C.P. Stacey wrote for the Canadian Encyclopedia, “The Second World War was a defining event in Canadian history, transforming a quiet country on the fringes of global affairs into a critical player in the 20th century's most important struggle” (“Second World War (WWII)”). This transformation was mostly a result of improved relations from the two Allied superpowers: the United States and Britain. With the threat of the Nazis overseas, the Allies were forced into tight camaraderie; had they not been so tightly knit, the alliance could have either fallen apart in the stressful times or proved inadequate for stopping Nazi Germany. As a result, Canada became close enough with both the U.S. and Britain that they rose to the position of a new world power once the UN took shape in 1945. These events can be applied to the concepts of historical thinking, notably cause and consequence. Because Canada became tightly knit with other first-world countries, they became one of the world’s leading economic nations following the war. This proved to be essential during the tense times of the Cold War, when Canada formed a symbiotic relationship from the United States. Additionally, the technological advancements made by Canadians during the war effort led to the long-term impact of a more industrialized and stronger economy. This helped Canada to rebound quickly from the war, while large parts of the world were still stuck in terms of finances. Finally, Canada’s new status as a powerful independent nation increased Canadian patriotism. Much like the First World War, Canada was brought together, and united under the common idea that something great had been done together. These three factors contributed greatly to the Canadian identity, in a manner that only a war of such scale would have been able to.