Canadian History and World War One

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Canadian History and World War One The article “Race and Recruitment In World War 1: Enlistment of Visible Minorities in the Canadian Expeditionary Force*” Written by author James W. ST G. Walker that can be found in the Canadian Historial Review (March 1989 Edition) discusses the discrimination against minorities during World War 1. Outlining the events from 1914 through 1917 that depict this injustice against visible minorities. It gives a detailed view of changing attitutudes of government and recruiting officials towards visible minorities and their position and value to the war efffort. James W. ST G. Walker goes about trying to prove that while World War 1 may have been a step forward for both women and Eastern Europe it was anything but for the visible minorities of Canada. World War 1 only strengthened the beliefs of a white man’s world by being a white man’s war. At the onset of the war in 1914 the enlistment rate was very high. Due to both patriotic and economic factors the initial numbers were very high. This continued for over a year. During this time the requirments to enlist in the war included an unofficail race criteria. No visible minorities were welcomed to join the war. It was the unofficial opinion of recruiting officials that visible minorities, such as Blacks and Native Indians, could not fight in a white mans war. These minorities were outraged. They demanded to know why they were being turned away. Though it was clear that they were being excluded for racial reasons in 1914 they were offered no remedies to these unjust circumstances. The Japenese, in particular, became more persistant in their attempts to enlist. It was believed that winning the battle to join the war effort would help win the war ... ... middle of paper ... ...ect they were due. The final act of conscription when the Governement forced visible minorities into a war that would benefit only the white man was the last indicator to the true feelings of the Government. Based on all the above events and all the supporting documentation, James W. ST G. Walkers conclusion that World War 1 was a step backard for visible minorities is the only logical conclusion that an be drwan from this. James W. St G. Walker offers his opinion that the visible minorities of Canada were used and abused by a Governent that was completely unconcerned with them. His statement that World War 1 was a white man’s war is proved through his strong arguments that are supported through his research. his article is more than convicing it is fact. Backed up with multiple governement document and memo’s that can only lend their support to Walker’s thesis.

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