Canadian War-Promoting Factors 1. Military Skill and Bravery Despite Poor Leadership
Canadian commanders have sometimes provided poor leadership, but the most deadly source has been commanders from our patron nations. Canadian forces have been subject to dreadful foreign command decisions beginning with the Boer War, in which the British had no idea of how to engage in unconventional warfare; the almost criminal leadership of General Douglas Haig and others in the Great War; the deadly experimental raid at Dieppe and the Hong Kong debacle in World War II; the arrogance of American General Douglas MacArthur and the ineptitude of American politicians in Korea. The pattern continued with a senseless trickle of deaths brought on by misguided
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That we appreciate public praise from nations that are older and more powerful is quite understandable. But the story of Canada’s wars is a story of sacrificing far too much for that praise. More than once, when Canada had no important interest at stake, she has allowed herself to be led along by superficial accolades.
Particularly in World War II, when at a turning point on the issue of a truly independent identity, Canada deferred too often to the decisions of patrons. We will see times when Canada did assert herself, but the human cost of the times she did not has been staggering. That cost is not only measured in dead and wounded. Canada has also deferred to the questionable moral and ethical decisions of others.
These two Canadian war-promoting factors are, of course, related. After all, it was real skill and bravery that our patrons were praising. And as they strove to keep Canada onside, they might have been motivated to be even more effusive by the knowledge that their commanders had often led poorly. Nevertheless, at difficult points in the transition of dominance from the British to the Americans, it was not the responsibility of these patrons to assess the proper role of Canada. It was, and is solely a Canadian responsibility. The record on that is far from perfect. We will see Dieppe as but one example of a longing for recognition that prompted a campaign for Canada to be a player in any operation conceived by her patrons, at any
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Reluctant Participation
Either we have simply learned some lessons from participating in other people’s wars, or there really is something in the Canadian national character that is unenthusiastic about war. Whatever the reason, Canada has never been an eager war maker. This has been true even though the war-promoting factors, especially propaganda, have moved the public to support them enthusiastically at times, at least until things started to go badly.
If our reluctance to participate is a characteristic, it has been reflected over decades in the personalities of prime ministers. In the heyday of imperialism, Wilfrid Laurier would not spend public money for the Boer War. While the ties to Britain were still strong, he sought compromises to limit our involvement in the Great War. Even his Tory successor, Robert Borden, initially sought to provide only naval support. More importantly, Borden began to learn. Though he eventually led Canada into the war, after the slaughter at Passchendaele he is said to have warned the British not to count on us in the future. After the war, he worked for disarmament and in support of the League of Nations. William Lyon Mackenzie King was openly reluctant to take us into World War II. It was in no small measure due to the personalities of Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, and Jean Chretien that Canada was spared the futile blood baths of Vietnam and
After the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge, other counties immediately started to view Canada as a strong and determined army. In earlier years, many British and French attacks had been made against the ridge, as it was the barrier preventing the allies from getting to Lens-Douai Plain. The French has lost 150,000 men at Vimy, while the British also suffered heavy causalities. Before the battle at Vimy, Canadian forces were not recognized for any significant military contributions, and a Canadian had never been commander of more than a single division of soldiers. After their victory, however, both Britain and France viewed Canada and their soldiers as a military force to be reckoned with. In fact, Sir Arthur Currie became commander of the entire Canadian corps after his performance in commanding the first Canadian division at Vimy. This showed that the British commander...
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.
Canada was one of Great Britain’s empire who fought under British units or in the Canadian Corps, formed by the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. These Canadians who fought aside with Great Britain earned a recognition of becoming an independent strong fighting force. They earned this reputation through one of World War One’s battles called, Vimy Ridge. Canadian soldiers who were in the Canadian Corps had an awful General named, Sam Hughes who preferred to use the Ross rifle. This type of weapon was too heavy and often jammed too many times to be used as a rifle for upcoming horrific battles. Thus, a new general replaced Sam Hughes and that was, Arthur Currie. General Currie had the desire for the Canadian Corps’ four divisions to fight together to take hold of Vimy Ridge. Arthur Currie made precise plans of military tactics that no general had done to their troops. General Currie gave his troops maps and had a duplicate model of Vimy Ridge so that troops are able to have an ideal look of what they should be taking hold of. Als...
participated in the war, by the end of the war, Canada was left with a very strong armed forces
Canada’s eligibility to participate on the world stage and its move towards independence was proven after the accomplishments at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Foremost, Canada’s first opportunity to partake on the world stage came soon after the end of World War I, during the Paris Peace Conference. The accomplishments of the Canadian Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped to earn Canada a spot in the Paris Peace Conference, after long arguments made on behalf of Canada by Prime Minister Robert Broden . The Prime Minister argued that Canada’s wartime record had earned Canada a seat separate from Britain. Canada was granted the seat despite the disapproval of the American President, Woodrow Wilson’s as they contributed greatly to the Allied forces especially in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The approval of Canada’s seat is important to both the significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the eligibility to participate on the world stage because it was one of the first steps Canada took towards its independence from Great Britain. Additionally, Canada became more social with other countries separate from Britain after the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Canada involved itself more in trading after the battle and the war, and had a flourishing...
Canada also became a leader internationally as well. With such an enormous military contribution during the war, other countries began to recognize the success of Canada. People wanted to know more about Canada. Consequently, the war advanced Canada’s sense of identity.
The history of Canada was flooded with many influential and incredible events, particularly during World War 1 and World War 2. During the 20th century, Canada got more involved in worldwide events. It was a very important period for Canada; it was where they gained their independence and progressed as a country. After this century, Canada was considered an important and powerful country. The three main 20th century events in Canadian history are the battle of Vimy Ridge, the change of woman’s rights and the battle of Juno Beach.
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.
Pre-World War One, Canada was looked upon not only by foreigners, but also by Canadians, as being just a British Colony.
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.
It also has a negative effect on the esteem of Canada as it can be viewed as a hypocritical democratic nation, in which a model peacekeeping nation used a totalitarian force such as the War Measures Act. By unjustly punishing Canadian citizens, enforcing conscription as well as being used unnecessarily to address apprehended threats, the usage of the War Measures Act was neither fair nor necessary. The unjust punishment of citizens allowed by the War Measures Act was iniquitous. When it was used in World War One, World War Two and the October Crisis, it led to the unjust punishment of Canadians by causing the internment of “enemy aliens” as well as the forced registration with the government. In World War One, Canada had been in war with Germany, Austria, Hungary and Ukraine.... ...
Battles such as Vimy Ridge, the Second Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of the Somme were some of the worst battles that the world can find Canadian's. Our northern nation had boasted over 600,000 soldiers to the battlefields whilst also providing vital manufacturing facilities and training soldiers from across the world. The strong imperial bond between Canada and the 'Motherland' was an important factor in Canada's decision to participate wholeheartedly in World War I, and influenced many in their decision to join the army. Most Canadians felt a strong connection to the British Emp...
Canada's sacrifices and contributions to the war changed its history and enabled them to become more independent and they friendship with Britain grew stronger and stronger. Canada was first inducted into the World War 1 when Britain declared war on Germany, August 4, 1914. Canada being allies with Britain had to support those in the war even know they weren’t in there and fighting all on the front they were backup just in case the German soldiers broke through the trenches and head towards France. Later on the Governor General also declared war on Germany but the Canadians fought under the ruling of a Britain commander. The achievements of Canadian military during the First World War came during the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele battles and what later became known as "Canada's Hundred Days". They help fight for the freedom and peace for the small village of Passchendaele and however as it was a muddy hell, they still persevered throu...
A century ago, Canada was under control by the British Empire. The battles we fought the treaties we signed and the disputes we solved all helped us gain independence from our mother country “Britain”. Canadians fought a long battle protecting others, and from these battles we gained our peaceful reputation and our independence from Britain. Canada became a nation on July, 1st 1867. Although we were an independent country, our affairs and treaties were all still signed by Britain. In the next years Canada would establish its own government, and lead its own affairs. Many important events led to Canada’s independence, one of the earliest signals that Canada wanted to establish autonomy was the Chanak affair of 1921. In addition the battle of Normandy, which occurred on June 6 1944, contributed to the autonomy of Canada. The Suez Canal Crisis, which took place in the year 1956, earned Canada a place in the media spotlight, displaying Canada as a peaceful country that deserves the right to be independent. One of the final steps that aided with Canada’s independence from Britain was the Canada Act of 1982. Independence from Britain steadily increased throughout the 20th century because of political decisions made in Canada.
...ecause Canada belongs to alliances such as NATO, it was persuaded to assist with this “war on terror.” Canada’s involvement has been mainly