World War I Notes

Canada
.1914
3112 men in the army prior to WWI
32000 men were raised
Stats of WWI
690000 canadians mobilized
Involvement and participation of Canada in the first world war
As tensions between Ger and GB increased (naval race) prior to 1914, GB pressured
Canada to assume larger role in imperial role
Canadian Parliament passed Naval Service Bill of 1910
Parliament passed War Measures Act
A. Govt given powers to oversee economy
B. place men and women in jobs govt deemed critical for war effort
C. oversee conscription of men
D. power to restrict civil liberties

Army increased from 3,000 to 600,000 by 1918

Navy: many serve, but mostly in convoy to supply GB
Air Force: Canadian pilots supply about 25% Royal Flying Corps

Home Front- tensions increase between French and English Canadians

A. Govt under pressure to abandon bilingual education (Francophone V Anglophone )
B. Conservatives felt instruction in English would bring national unity
C. Ontario made English official language of instruction 1916
D. Quarrel over schools bad enough, but placed into context of war was major crisis
E. Controversy over Conscription divides nation
F. By 1916, awareness of horrors of trench warfare, mounting casualties led to decline
in volunteer enlistment
G. PM Borden refused to reduce troop commitment
H. 1917 Parliament passed Military Service Act allowing for conscription - led to
domestic unrest
I. French Canadians not inclined to support war effort
I few allowed to become officers
II English official language of military
III Anti Draft riots broke out in Montreal and Quebec City

At least 5 million civilians died of starvation, exposure

J. Anglophones support British Empire at all costs
K. 100,000 drafted, only 25,000 made it overseas
10.) large number exempted mainly for agriculture or family hardships

11.) Conclusion: political consequences of conscription far outweighed benefits of

replenishing depleted military forces
12.) Homefront: other issues
A. Paying for war: Victory Bonds