Canada´s Contribution to World War I

“Canada entered World War I as a colony and came out a nation…” 1 World War I--or the Great War--was the start to Canada becoming it’s own nation--becoming separate from Britain. Though the war was a horrible--catastrophic--event, that lasted for years, it was the means that allowed Canada to gain it’s reputation of being a country that was not willing to simply sit on the sidelines while others fought viciously for what was theirs, and what they though was right. But how was Canada able to push through such a scarring war, and emerge with such success in both individual events, as well as overall? This was due to the major sacrifices that were made by Canadian troops in each event of World War I, as well as the chances they were given on a whim, and the chances they took of their own accord, in order to heighten the chances of their winning the war.

The first Battle of Ypres, having taken place from October 19 to November 22, 1914. The British army consisted of 250, 000 men. This small number, compared to other countries was due to the history of reliance on the ‘all-powerful’ navy, for the security of he British Isles. This resulted in there being no need in maintaining a larger army, such as Germany, France or Russia. In order to aid France, Britain sent an expeditionary force of six infantry divisions and one cavalry division--totaling to 150, 000 men. In the month of August, four divisions moved onto the French left flank, facing the German armies that were advancing from Belgium to France. In October, during their fight in Ypres, the British were joined by an Indian corps, as well as some Territorial units. By the end of 1914, the BEF--or British Expeditionary Force--had been greatly reduced, down to about half of it’s ori...

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...her two to three years--years of which would be considered a great Hell for everyone--the war ended much sooner than they had expected, coming to an end on November 11, 1918.

In the town of Valenciennes, in the Nord department of Northern France, on November 1st, Canadians managed to collapse the last of the German defense lines. Only a mere ten days later, an Armistice was signed.

“Canadians had done a great thing, and, with French and English, First Nations and recent immigrants, they had done it together”.

As had been foreseen by Renan, a nation had been shaped by Canadians. Being grateful for their assistance, France awarded Canadians with land, in order to commemorate both their successes and sacrifices. As a result of the events at Vimy Ridge, Canadians were also allowed to sit in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. 9 (vimyfoundation.ca/significance)