The result of the Second World War fundamentally changed Canada and its economy started booming. There are many reasons for this change and if you remember, World War I also made a big impact on the development of Canada. However, in the next few paragraphs I will talk about how Canada gained much more respect and autonomy from the Second World War than ever before and also the change from a country into an industrialized nation.
After greatly contributing to the war, especially in the Battle of the Atlantic, Canada ended up having the 3rd largest navy and 4th largest air force. Now, for such a small nation of only around 11 to 12 million, this was a large military force. Since Canada had done so well in the war (already their second world war as a country) Canada started to grow further and further apart from Mother Britain. There was a feeling a greater sense of pride and a more nationalistic notion. Canadians everywhere no longer saw themselves as British, Scottish, or American, they were Canadian. Canada was now a respected country, and I might add, a pretty powerful one too.
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.
Before the war, Canada’s most important sector in its economy was agriculture. However, this was changing drastically after and during the war as industry began to take over as being more important. Canadian production of war material, food supplies, and raw materials had been crucial during the war. After the war, it was only natural that big investments were being made in mining, production, transportation, and services industries. Canadian cities were becoming very important contributors to the economy. This was also bringing in waves of post-war immigration, the backbone of Canada’s multicultural society we know today.
Because of Canada’s boost in the industrial economy and its status in World War II, job options were abundant. By 1942 there was a full employment as hundreds and thousands of Canadian men and women found work in war industries.
Click here to unlock this and over one million essays
Show MoreCanada’s role in World War I in both fighting and ending it helped it gain autonomy from Britain. In battle, Canada earned the respect of many of her allies for victories like Vimy Ridge and the Battle of the Somme. The victory at Vimy Ridge helped Canada to earn recognition as an independent fighting force different from the British. This helped to earn Canada an independent seat at the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles was a watershed moment in Canada’s road to autonomy. This “won a separate seat for Canada at the peace conference following the war” (Bradley and Wilson, 126). This was unprecedented in Canada’s history up to...
One of Canada’s largest military endeavors was the battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. It was a fierce battle between Germans and Canadians. Canada was trying to take over the German controlled ridge, which ran from northwest to southwest between Lens and Arras, France. Its highest point was 145 feet above sea level, which was exceptionally helpful in battle because of the very flat landscape. Already over 200,000 men had fallen at Vimy, all desperately trying to take or defend this important and strategic ridge. As a result of its success in taking the ridge, Canada gained a lot more than just the strategic point. Canada was united as a nation, and the victory changed the way other counties viewed them. Canadians no longer viewed their soldiers as merely an extension of allied forces; they now viewed their troops as an independent and unified entity.
...socially by removing racial barriers and uplifting women’s rights. Also economically which helped us get out of the great depression by the war production Canada created. Last but not least politically, by making Canada a more independent country and giving Canada a recognizable identity. If the war didn’t happen we would still be a country that didn’t have much power or an identity and still be stuck behind racial barriers. We wouldn’t still be in the great depression but the great depression would have been much longer if it wasn’t for the WW2.Canda went through so many changes but not as many as it did during this time. All aspects of Canada were impacted and changed because of this war. The war was such a horrific event but out of the horrific event a great country grew and prospered. Now Canada wonders, would Canada be who it is today if this war didn’t occur?
Before the General Strike, the Canadian government was fully invested in WWI, whereas most Canadian citizens were not; the dissonance urged industrial workers to unionize. From the beginning of Canada’s involvement in the Great War, their industrial complex mass-produced supplies and armaments for the Allied Powers. Most Canadian citizens had no qualms with the shift in the job market until there were not enough workers to produce the basic material goods necessary within Canada’s borders. The citizens began to form groups, seemingly in opposition of the government and its advocacy for war. To the Canadian government, this was incredibly concerning, presenting the possi...
the Second World War affected Canada was the massive loss of young men who died in the
One would have to admit that World War One did give Canada a reputation and Canadians pride. Canada’s accomplishments in the war, notably the victory at Vimy Ridge and Canadian troops holding against the German attack in the Second Battle of the Ypres, not only gave Canadians a reason to be proud of their country, but also let other countries to see that Canada was a very helpful and useful. Also, Canada representing itself in signing the Treaty of Versailles increased Canadian pride and further showed Canada’s contribution to the war. However, this increased Canadian pride and reputation came at a heavy price. As
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.
The events of July and early August 1914 are known as the sparks that lit the explosion of World War I. Uneasy tensions that had been boiling beneath the surface of Europe for many years soon erupted and with that several alliances that were formed over the past decades were invoked, so within weeks the major powers were at war; via their colonies, the conflict advanced rapidly. When war officially broke out in 1914, Britain joined in the defense of Belgium and in reaction to Germany's violation of the treaty in which the countries neutrality was to be respected by all other nations. Upon this Britain requested that all dominions of the British Empire, including Canada were to fight on its behalf. Canada’s involvement in the War changed history, deepening our independence, strengthening our right the self govern and opening a gap between the French and English-speaking populations. Canadian's were a great asset in WW1, and it marked the beginning of independent Canadian forces fighting under a Canadian-born commander. On August 5, 1914, the Governor General declared a war between Canada and Germany.
Contrary to popular belief, the Battle of Vimy Ridge was more than “another bloodshed” to Canada the growth of Canada as a nation. This battle confirmed Canada’s eligibility to participate on the world stage and showed that Canada was not to be trifled with by other nations. The achievements of the Canadian army brought Canada respect from other nations. The Canadian army gained confidence in themselves after their victory in this battle. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was significant to the growth of Canada as a nation.
Canada’s women and economy experienced some of the positive effects of World War 1, while the Canadians originating from different countries either than France and Great Britain (e.g. Germany, Austria and Ukrainians) experienced a higher level of discrimination. Increased discrimination against “ethnic Canadians” or “enemy aliens”, a bigger and wealthier Canadian economy and a new role and greater independence for women are 3 of the main effects from World War 1 on Canada’s homefront. The homefront of Canada was never the same after the effect of World War 1.
In the early years of Canada before Confederation Canada had been defended by the British Army, and some units known as the Canadian Militia. After a few years new units were created to defend Canada such as the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the Royal Canadian Dragoons. These troops participated in many missions to protect Canada, one of them would be the North West Rebellion for Confederation in 1885 in which Canada fought against Saskatchewan to bring peace, and secure the province. In this battle 58 soldiers lost their life, 98 got wounded, and 26 were capture. For World at War 1 all this militias came together to create the Canadian Expeditionary force, this force was mostly full of volunteers there we around 619,646 soldiers in the force at that time in which they fought many battles during World at War 1. One of the most famous one is Vimy Ridge, at Vimy Ridge all the allied forces could not get through since the ridge Germany had a an advantage in a high location in which their army was placed. Canada as a young nation no one believed that Canada would get passed it. But on April 12, 1917 Canadian Soldiers had full control over the ridge, but this had not been achieve easily it cost the life of 10,602 Canadians. For World at War 2 in the 1940s The Canadian Militia was renamed to the Canadian Army. This new army was formed as part of NATO which is in charge of the protection of all North America. Canada also fought many battles in World at War 2 to free, and protect the liberty of other countries, and people specially the Jewish community. Since then Canada knew the great power they have to help people in need at the end of World War 2 In 1939, 20 Years later in 1956 Canada became part of the United Nations.
During the war, Canada provisioned England with food, ammunitions, medical supplies, and other armaments without charge. During the Second World War, the Canadian Navy became the third largest in the world and escorted the convoys of supplies across the North Atlantic. As supported by historian Edward O. Gurrant, Canada greatly financed the Allies, contributing about three billion dollars to Great Britain. Canada and the United States cooperated closely in the Second World War as both nations were determined to defeat the Axis Powers. On August 1940, Canada’s Prime Minister William L. M. King and Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the Permanent Joint on Defense. When the U.S. entered the war, the Canadian aircraft industry supplied some of training aircrafts and flying boats the U.S. needed. Although relationships between Canada and the U.S were bitter prior to the war, it drastically improved post war. As stated by Roosevelt, “Our closest neighbors are good neighbors”. In stating so, he infers that it would only prove to be beneficial to the U.S. if it improves relations with its neighboring countries. As seen through the media, Canadians became deeply familiar with the United States during the Second World War. During the war, many United States citizens wanted to join Canadian air force, while Canadians wanted to join the U.S. army. During the Italian Campaign in 1943, the first Canadian infantry division advanced into the mainland of Italy and played a major role in pushing Germans back to Ortona. Over 76,000 Canadian soldiers fought alongside the Allies in Italy and played a major role in the campaign's success. Therefore, without the cooperation and military contribution of Canada during the war, the Second World War would not have ended as successfully as it
Canada’s contributions in the Boer War, World War One and World War Two are well documented. The Canadians helped in the Boer War from 1899-1902, World War One from 1914-1918 and World War Two from 1939-1945. Many Canadians were killed in these three wars. Just over more than 7000 Canadians were sent out overseas to help out in the Boer War (this included 12 women nurses).1 Approximately 65 000 soldiers died in World War One.2 (see Appendix 2) Approximately 45 000 died in World War Two.3
Between 1900 and 1929, Canada had the world’s fastest growing economy with only a sharp but brief recession during world war one. The 1920’s had been a successful period of growth. The living standards were improving remarkably. Before the First World War, the American stock market was small and a relatively unimportant part of Canada’s economy. This suddenly changed bringing the onset of the great depression in the late 1920’s when the economy took a severe and devastating turn; affecting the lives of Canadians for nearly a decade.
The Canadian economy in the 1920’s had a rough start because of the post war problems, but it gradually began to pick up, it made a positive turn by developing new industries, as well, the average consumer income increased, which in the end allowed for a more optimistic country. First, the development of industries allows Canada to have a wider range of opportunities, and money entering the country. For example, it has been stated that: “Though the early 1920's were difficult conditions did improve by the mid 1920's. Foreign investors gained confidence in Canada and as a result new industries were developed. Canada had become the largest wheat exporter in the world” (Economy on the upswing). This shows that Canada had not only started off at a low point and moved forward, but they went above the needed and became number one in the world for a positive economic situation. Therefore this event was very beneficial and made a huge contribution towards a positive turn and optimism in Canada. The positive turn in economy was also created by the increased consumer income, this allowed Canada as a country to become more developed and maintain even more money. For example, in the mid 1920’s there was an economy boom which started to increa...