Canada in a Post
World War World
WHAT HAPPENS IN CANADA POST -WWI
Repercussions
BRAINSTORM – WHAT ARE SOME THINGS
THAT OCCURRED IN CANADA IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING WWI
The Long Wait
 When the war came to
 It could take several
an end soldiers
expected to return
home shortly but this
was not the case.
 Soldiers
outnumbered ships
available. This
resulted in a long
wait time to get
home.
months to get home.
 Soldiers were made to
continue to take part
in drills and military
manoeuvres .
The Long Wait
 Armistice occurred on
Nov 11, 1918. On May
5, 1919 soldiers still
waiting to go home
were informed that
their ships were in
need of repairs.
 Soldiers rioted in
response at
Kinmel, England.
They attacked their
camp canteen. Five
soldiers killed, 15
arrested –
sentenced 1-7 yrs
hard labour.
Interesting Fact
 25 Canadian soldiers were executed by their
battalion leaders for crimes committed
while at war. These crimes ranged from
refusal to obey and order to desertion.
 Needlessly adding to the death toll of dead
soldiers.
The Spanish Flu
 Many soldiers all
over the world
contracted an
influenza known as
the Spanish flu while
living in the trenches.
 When the soldiers were
finally able to come
home they brought
with them this very
deadly disease.
 Exhibits the same
symptoms of the
common flu but far
more deadly.
The Spanish Flu
 Killed approximately
21 million (that’s more
than those who died
fighting in the war).
 Approx. 50,000
Canadians died
(cbc.ca).
 Some small villages of
Canada almost entirely
wiped out.
 When people ventured
outside they wore masks.
The Spanish Flu
Employment
 350,000 veterans
 Munitions factories no
return to Canada.
 At the same time
approx. 250,000
Canadians lose their
jobs.
 High workers surplus.
 15% unemployment
rate in Canada by the
early 1920’s.
longer needed.
 Farm’s no longer
needed to produce so
much food – no
soldiers to send food to.
 Wheat prices dropped
60%
 Maritimes lost 42% of
their manufacturing jobs.
Soldiers Despair
 It was difficult to
 The physically
adjust back to civilian
life.
 Both physical and
emotional scars
made it difficult to
reintegrate into
society.
handicapped (i.e.
missing limbs) had
extra difficulty
finding work.
 The mentally ill
(i.e. shell shock)
were often
misunderstood.
Soldiers Despair
 A pension was
difficult to obtain
despite the promises
made to them by the
government while
the war was on.
 Those who managed to
qualify were usually
provided with no more
that 25% of what was a
full pension.
 A widow needed to
demonstrate a great
financial need, stay
unmarried and prove
themselves worthy if
they were to get a
survivors pension.
Shell Shock
“To Women Workers”
 The title of a poster released after the war came to an
end.
 During the war women were a vital part of
the workforce but after the war they were
viewed as a hindrance.
 Poster painted working women as selfish and
uncaring. Men were in greater need of
employment because they had families to
support.
 Women were reluctant to go back to the home –
Many had enjoyed their taste of freedom.