George Stanley (1907-2002)
George Francis Gillman Stanley was born on 6 July 1907 in Calgary, Alberta. He was a man who contributed significantly to the Canadian society; he was a historian, soldier, public servant, author teacher and designer of the Canadian Flag. (Wikipedia, 2017)
George Stanley has made many contributions to Canadian history. He joined the military and worked as a lieutenant in New Brunswick. He later served in World War Two at the Canadian Army Headquarters in London, where he managed the War Artist Program. George later went to teach at the University of British Columbia where he had the "first chair" in Canadian History. In 1948 he came out of military retirement to help fight floods in Fraser Valley. (Government of Canada, 2017)
George began teaching at the Royal Military College of Canada in
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Kingston, for twenty years. While in Kinston he worked on many committees to try and work to save the Old Limestone Buildings. At Royal Military College of Canada, he was the head of the History Department, became the first Dean of Arts, and he then began building a faculty in the humanities and social sciences. He was the first person to teach an undergraduate course in military history in Canada. He then wrote a textbook, "The Military History of an Unmilitary People", this textbook was made a required reading for every service person. He wrote many other books and donated his book collection and papers to the University of Calgary. (Government of Canada, 2017) A student of George revealed: "George Stanley was a scholar revered by his peers throughout the world and equally he was held in the same regard by all his former students, many of whom became professional historians and leaders in their fields across Canada.
Stanley was the Head of the History Department when I was a young cadet at RMC. In a highly organized and rigidly structured environment, he stood out to us as the perfect role model - a gentleman, a scholar, a friend and later a confidant. He led by example and set his students on a path of personal and individual achievement unhampered by his own prejudices and influences. As a result, Stanley sent his students into the world equipped to make up their own minds and not just echo what they had been taught." (RMC Club of Canada , 2017) This statement proves what a major influence he had on the youth of Canada. He was a role model to the Canadian society and still is to the present day. Georges values and teachings that were passed down to his students led them to be honorable people who made Canada a better place. He never missed an opportunity to promote Canadian citizenship and love of
country. On 23 March 1964, George wrote a memorandum to John Matheson in which he suggested that the new flag of Canada should have traditional colors and a simple design. In this memorandum, he cautioned that the flag "must avoid the use of national or racial symbols that are of a divisive nature". George suggested the Royal Military College of Canadas Flag's colors of red and white as a basis for a unique Canadian flag. Stanley proposed that in the center there should be a single red maple leaf placed instead of the college emblem which was a mailed fist holding a sprig of three green maple leaves. Stanley also suggested the name for the Canadian Pale: a center band of the flag. George Stanley wrote to the federal Conservative leader, James Robert Manion, on December 1938 to support a speech Manion had given opposing any immigration with the reason of Canadians remaining unemployed. George had returned to Canada from the University of Oxford in 1936 during the time of the Great Depression and was concerned by the hardship he encountered, especially western Canada. (Col. the Hon. George F.G.Stanley (1907-2002), 2007)
Tommy Douglas was a remarkable Canadian whose contributions have helped to shape our nation. During his forty two years in politics, Tommy Douglas proved himself to be an outstanding Canadian leader. He is largely responsible for our central banking, old age pensions, unemployment insurance, and our universal medicare. Though he never became Prime Minister, he is highly regarded by the general public. Tommy Douglas was one of the greatest Canadians that ever lived.
Later on in his developing career, Currie met with a woman named Lucy Charworth-Musters, who would one day be his wife. With a paying job as a teacher, he decided to enlist in the militia as a lowly gunner in the 5th Regiment at the Canadian Garrison Artillery. In 1901, Currie married Lucy and found a better-paying job at an insurance firm at Matson and Coles (Dancocks, 1985). With great devotion to his wife and two children, the militia was still one of Currie’s priorities and he became a commander of the 5th Regiment of Artillery, winning the Governor-General’s Cup for efficiency (Hyatt, 1987). On the 4th of August in 1914, the British ultimatum to Germany expired and Canada was now automatically at war (Hyatt, 1987).
Canadian history consists of many memorable moments, including many great leaders that helped Canada become what it is today, like the well-known Louis St. Laurent. He was born on Feb. 1st, 1882 in Compton, Quebec, and died on July 25, 1973 in Quebec City (Coucil, 13). Louis St. Laurent was raised in a mixed family, with a French - speaking father, and English - speaking Irish mother, and was fluently bilingual. He studied many years in law, where he graduated from law school, at Laval University in 1914, and had been a successful corporation lawyer (“St-Stephen, St. Laurent”). Laurent entered politics a lot later in his years, as he became older; however he still managed to have a large impact on Canada, and achieved many accomplishments. Louis St. Laurent was an extremely important, and well-respected politician, because he helped resolve the conscription crisis from 1940-1944 (,Pickersgill,14), and prevented the government and cabinet from collapsing, which would have caused the society to fall apart at the time, he was involved in the establishment of the Canada Council, which introduced support for Canadian arts, to help Canada separate from the influence of American culture (Jocelyn), and lastly he welcomed Newfoundland into confederation in 1949 (“Newfoundland History”), which was a large accomplishment because of the failures Many other politicians experienced in trying to do so before.
2004 [9] The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum. 27 December2001 [10]Reid. Brian. Canada at war and peace volume 1. Esprit Dr corps Books [11] Canadians and Conflicts.
“Just watch me.”Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau said in 1970. He meant it as he fought to keep Quebec a part of Canada. Not only did he do that, he managed to be prime minister for 16 years, as well as being Canada’s youngest leader at the time. He brought greater civil rights to Canadians, Quebec citizens mainly. His charismatic personality matched his innovative ideas, that enhanced Canada for the better. For his entire political career, not only did Canada watch him, the whole world watched him change the country for the better. He made a radical change to Canada by championing the idea of officially implementing bilingualism. Trudeau was a trailblazer from the moment he was elected.
His idea of peacekeeping appealed to many people, and therefore gained him an international reputation, a few years later he earned the Nobel Peace prize. In CBCs news report it is said that Pearson; “had also fulfilled his dream to give Canada an independent place on the world
Canadians were frustrating, wonderful, and hard. Soldiers returning from the war expected jobs, but were faced with unemployment, inflation and strikes. Inflation had doubled the cost of living where wages had not and those fortunate to be employed still faced immense financial difficulty. Many people joined unions for better pay and working conditions, 1919 saw the most strikes at a staggering three hundred and six, people were angry and discontented. The 1920s were a time of crime corruption and extreme poverty, yet by mid era difficult conditions began to improve. Foreign investors gained confidence in Canada and as a result new industries were developed, The twenties really did 'roar' and with this boom of change Canada underwent the transformation that was the gateway to the future.
John A. Macdonald became well known for the way he treated people. He was kind
In today’s rapidly growing global society, foreign relations with other countries are imperative to a nation’s prosperity and world-wide harmony. Especially with China, the fastest growing country in the world, it is important for Canada to establish relations that can benefit both countries. The foundation of these Sino-Canadian relations was created by Norman Bethune’s involvement in the Second Sino-Japanese War. China was not always such a flourishing and prosperous society. In 1937, during this war, Japan invaded China with imperialist objectives. It wrought lurid death and destruction upon Chinese lands, leaving 20 million dead and 15 million injured between the years of 1937 and 1945. Dr. Norman Bethune was at the forefront of the aid mission; he worked long hours on the battlefields, and became known as a skilled surgeon and dedicated teacher. His involvement in China during this period in time created a basis for social, economic, and political ties with China. Through the role he played in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Norman Bethune set a base for positive relations between Canada and China today.
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
Maalouf’s lessons of history, influence, and perspective will stick with me for the rest of my college career as I continue to grow as a student and piece of history. Maalouf shows how the past and future have a lot to hold for all generations to come. And I hope to be a positive influence on our world’s history.
To sum up, Louis Riel was without doubt, a hero. In spite of the mistakes he made, and things he did that might have upset the Canadian government, all of his actions have contributed to Canada’s growth as a nation. He was one of the most important figures in Canadian history, and indeed a true Canadian hero.
Canadians had all come to conclusion that the 1920’s were a very optimistic time, from the unexpected yet very positive events that occurred, such as the change in economy, new art forms, and the rapid growth and discovery in health care. Having such an enormous amount of optimism is what makes Canada so strong today.
... Ed. W. Gordon West and Ruth Morris. Toronto, Canada: A Canadian Scholar? Press, 2000.