Representation In Canada During World War I

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Representation Representation can be defined as the action of speaking or acting on behalf of a nation-state. In social studies, representation is indefinitely used to represent a nation of some kind. For example, after WWI the Treaty of Versailles was formed to bring peace back into the world and resolve the more political disputes that caused the war: “The Treaty of Versailles was one of the specific treaties negotiated with the defeated powers at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. It dealt with a defeated Germany at the close of the First World War. The main authors of the Treaty.were known collectively as the Big Four.[they] had separate agendas and vastly different national interests in mind” (Perspectives On Nationalism, 148). The Big …show more content…

Regardless, some representatives achieved what they desired and others had to compromise their goals for the good of the collective. Furthermore, during WWI Canada was automatically dragged into the war due to still being under British control as their subjects. Britain declared war against Germany, so Canada must continue to represent the crown as stated by Prime Minister Border, he declared that “It was Canada’s duty to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder with Britain’” and he also added that “when Great Britain is at war, Canada is at war, and there is no difference at all” (Perspectives On Nationalism). Since Canada stayed as a British colony for a long period of time, they were still attached to the crown during the war and were obligated to serve them. If Canada was not tied to the British, they would not have to represent them during times of prolonged conflicts and political disputes. In saying this, WWI began through economic rivalry between Germany and Britain: “Germany began to develop a naval force to rival Britain’s navy, which was seen by the British as a direct challenge to their military and economic might. Britain’s natural ally in this challenge was France, for when controlling the growing power of Germany was an important …show more content…

In my personal life, I experience representation through professional or casual committees. For example, I am involved in Claw Crew which represents the different global issues affecting our municipality, country, and the whole world. We seek to help and bring awareness to these issues in our school and community to try and help at least a little bit. There are also committees that I am not involved with but they represent me and my interests, such as the Blackgold School Board. The school board has representatives to try and support the needs and interests of the different schools under the Blackgold division. By having these committees, it makes sure that our voices are heard through numerous concerns and changes being taken into consideration. Furthermore, representations may also be symbolic. For example, the maple leaf or the beaver help to represent the country of Canada. Even a poppy being worn in November helps to represent all the soldiers who fought during the war. These symbolic representations help to provide a sense of nationalism or collective identity. By having a maple leaf in my suitcase, I feel nationalism and patriotism for Canada and the citizens who live there. Furthermore, representations may also be demonstrated through art. Art always has a deeper message that it is trying to convey. For example, The Alienated with Monomaria by Jean-Louis-Theodore

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