Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON ONE: REVIEW, CANADA TO 1914
Domestic Canada under Laurier
• Canada enjoyed an economic boom, but not much improved for the working people.
• Conditions:
o Clothing was restrictive
o Houses offered minimal protection
o Food starchy & monotonous (canned goods a luxury, few iceboxes)
o Long workday, many labour laws ignored
o 1906-1911- cost of living rose 18.4 %
o 1906-1911- rent rates rose 35.9%
Rise of Unions
• Unions & groups offered a sense of security, despite having little or no power
o 1901- 20,000 union members in Canada
o 1911- 160,000 union members in Canada
• Although they had little power, this created an atmosphere that encouraged change and political
activists. This would be important later…
Immigration under Laurier
• The world experienced an economic boom.
• There was a large market for wheat, but few farmers.
• Minister of the Interior Clifford Sifton wanted to populate the prairies with immigrants.
• Most Canadians didn’t mind immigration, as long as the newcomers weren’t too different &
could “Canadianize”
• Immigrants were expected to conform, there was little to no tolerance for differences.
• The best sources for low tension immigration were the US, Scotland, Germany, Scandinavia &
Ukraine.
• French Canadians feared any immigration would drown out the Canadien.
• From 1901 to 1911, Canada’s population rose sharply from 5.1 million to 7.2 million.
• 83% were immigrants
Immigration Problems
• In BC, Asians were a source of serious conflict and crisis.
• Many BC workers feared Asians were taking their jobs.
• In Vancouver, Asiatic Exclusion League created; A group dedicated to the exclusion of Asians from
society.
• But limiting immigration from Asia was tricky
o India- a British Colony, Indians were British subjects!
o Japan- Britain’s strongest ally in the Pacific
o China- Big Business (railways) sponsored the Chinese workers. Railways contributed to
political campaigns
Vancouver Race Riot 1907
• Asian immigration had risen sharply in recent months (esp. Japanese)
• Sept. 7- Tensions erupted at a meeting of the Asiatic Exclusion League.
• 2,000 people attended, over 10,000 congregated outside.
• The mob rioted & attacked Chinatown and Little Tokyo.
• The rioters smashed and looted shops.
• Japanese were warned, armed themselves & barely held off the rioters.
Result of the Riot
• Laurier had to respond to BC. The Federal Govt’ had to ease tension & maintain diplomatic
connections.
• Japan- Laurier apologized to Emperor (Japanese Gov’t submitted letter of protest) & made deal
to limit Japanese emigration. Also, immigrants had to arrive on tickets purchased in their own
country. (many left via Hawaii).
• China- Head taxes already in place, immigration already very low despite public perception.
• India- Awkward to prohibit entry, so a rule for all nations adopted- immigrants must come to
Canada by “Continuous Passage”. No ships operated directly from India to Canada.
Komagata Maru 1914
• 1914- 400 British Sikhs chartered a ship, the Komagata Maru, to sail from Calcutta to Vancouver,
and tested “Continuous Passage” laws.
• Upon arrival, racial tensions spiked in Vancouver.
• They weren’t allowed to disembark.
• They were left anchored in the harbour for over a month.
• Finally, Ottawa turned them back, despite having followed rules.
• Canada remained a “White Man’s Country”
Canada & The World: A Nation or Colony?
Boer War 1899-1902
• Britain at war with Dutch & German farmers (Boers) in S. Africa
• Britain “invited” colonies to send troops (display of Empire’s strength)
• At first, Laurier opposed Canadian participation
• Laurier also didn’t want to divide Canada (Fr. don’t want to fight)
• But Canadians were not citizens: they were British subjects.
• Laurier compromised and sent 6000 volunteers.
• This set a precedent for future wars.
Alaskan Boundary Dispute 1903
• 1825- Britain gave Alaskan Panhandle to Russia
• 1867- America bought Alaska from Russia, incl. panhandle.
• 1896- Canadian access to the Klondike Gold Rush is overland
• Canada wants ocean link to Yukon.
• 1903 Canada claimed some Fjords extending into Canada.
• A six man tribunal (3 US, 2 Can & 1 Brit.) judged the issue.
• The British Judge ruled with the US.
• Canada was outraged, no loyalty from Br. after Boer War.
• Canada’s claim was weak- but this issue fueled debate about Canada’s role in the Empire.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON TWO: THE CAUSES OF WORLD WAR ONE
Causes of the First World War
• The First World War wasn’t fought for clear reasons.
• The war was a result of many contributing factors.
• It is generally accepted that there were four MAIN causes:
1. Militarism
2. Alliances
3. Imperialism (colonialism)
4. Nationalism
Militarism
• this is a policy or attitude whereby the military is used as a means to solve problems and disputes.
It is often referred to as “Saber Rattling”.
o Prior to the war, Britain and Germany had been involved in a frantic arms race. It was
largely naval, as both countries produced larger battleships.
o Naval power helped ensure that countries could support and defend colonies.
o Many conflicts between colonial powers were resolved through posturing or a show of
force, also known as “Gunboat Diplomacy.”
Alliances
• A series of secret and public treaties were in place to protect countries. Although defensive, they
ensured that once hostilities erupted, all of Europe would be dragged into a war.
o Triple Entente- (Allies) Britain, France and Russia.
o Triple Alliance- (Central Powers) Germany, Austria-Hungary & Italy
o Even when countries tried to stay out of conflicts, treaties and alliances dragged them in.
Imperialism
• this is the policy or attitude whereby a country builds an empire, or a collection of colonies to
increase its own strength and wealth, with resources and strategic location of bases.
o Germany was trying to build an empire, competing Britain, which already had a large
empire.
o Countries were competing to establish colonies in Africa & the Pacific. Pride caused
conflicts & disputes.
o Britain proudly claimed, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.”
Nationalism
• this is a strong sense of pride in ones cultural & ethnic background. Nationalism can, but does
not have to refer to ones “country”. (ex. Quebec)
o Major powers were ultra-nationalistic. They were considered “jingoistic” (super patriotic,
flag waving, self obsessed.)
o Smaller groups dominated by larger powers were also nationalistic. Their nationalism
was expressed in a desire to be free of the colonial power.
o Countries who shared a linguistic, ethnic, or cultural link, felt an allegiance to each other.
Nationalism encourages alliances.
HOW it happened:
• Consider the four reasons for the war- these conditions exist- the atmosphere in Europe is
charged with tension.
• Bosnia is part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but has a large Serbian Population. (many felt it
should be part of Serbia)
• Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Hungary visited the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia.
• Many Bosnians didn’t like it, including a Serbian nationalist group- “The Black Hand”.
• Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, shot the Archduke.
• Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and delivered a list of ultimatums.
• Austria-Hungary asked for assurances from Germany, which offered 100% unconditional support;
this was referred to as a “Blank Cheque.”
• Serbia tried to avoid a war, but could not accept all of Austria-Hungary’s conditions.
• Austria-Hungary Declared War on Serbia.
• Russia, supporting Serbia, declared war Austria Hungary.
• Germany, supporting Austria Hungary, declared war on Serbia and Russia
• France, supporting Russia, declared war on Germany and Austria Hungary.
• Britain tried to stay out of it, but when Germany invaded Belgium on its way to attack France,
Britain Declared war on Germany & Austria-Hungary.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON THREE: THE START OF WORLD WAR ONE
Canada’s Response
• Aug 4, 1914: Britain declared war on Germany and Canada was automatically at war.
• PM Borden’s Gov’t drafted a War Measures Act, giving the gov’t strong powers to act, suspending
individual rights and usual procedures.
• Liberals pledged a political truce
• Many hoped this would unite the English and French.
• By Sept there were 32,000 volunteers, (it sounded like a grand adventure!)
• Everyone expected the war to be over by Christmas.
• Over 30,000 volunteers converged on Valcartier, Que., for training in the first few weeks of the
war.
• Soon, enthusiasm faded. It would obviously last past Christmas.
• French Canadians were opposed to fighting a war for the British.
• Since they felt no particular allegiance to France, they were not interested in fighting.
The Opening Move
• The Germans faced a 2 front war with France & Russia.
• Solution: The Schlieffen Plan
• Weaker German units would hold along the French Border.
• Stronger units would attack Belgium, moving quickly to N. France, encircling Paris.
• With France defeated, Germany could turn and attack Russia.
• PROBLEMS with the Schlieffen Plan
o The plan assumed Belgium would not fight.
WRONG- they did, slowing German progress.
o The plan assumed Britain would not honour an old treaty guaranteeing Belgium’s
neutrality.
WRONG- they did. France was going to get help..
o The plan assumed that it would take old Russia a long time to mobilize.
WRONG- it took only 10 days, meaning German troops had to be moved immediately to
the Eastern front.
• Because of these problems, the German offensive stalled
• Faced with a retreat, the Generals insisted that the soldiers dig in defensive trenches so they
could hold the parts of France and Belgium they already had taken.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON FOUR: WARFARE IN WORLD WAR ONE
Trench Warfare
• The Allies realized they couldn’t break through the German lines.
• They were forced to dig opposing trenches, but often in lower positions, as the Germans had
taken the high ground.
• Many of the Allied trenches hit ground water and were very muddy.
• The allies had to live in the worst conditions.
• Soldiers often got “Trench Foot”
Chemical Weapons: Chlorine gas
• Chlorine 1st used by the German Army, 1915 at Ypres.
• Fr. soldiers saw yellow-green clouds drifting towards them
• Thought Germans were moving behind a smoke screen.
• Soldiers experienced chest pain & burning in their throats
• Chlorine gas destroyed the respiratory organs of its victims and this led to a slow death by
asphyxiation.
• Fr. realised it was gas & ran, left a 4 mile gap in the line.
• BUT the German soldiers hesitated, also scared of the gas
• Canadian and British troops retook the position before the Germans burst through the gap
Chemical Weapons: Mustard Gas (Yperite)
• First used by the German Army in 1917
• Was the most lethal of the gasses used during the war
• Was almost odourless & took twelve hours to take effect
• Once in the soil it remained active for several weeks
• Caused skin to blistered, eyes burn, vomiting, as well as internal and external bleeding
• Was extremely painful & soldiers were strapped to beds.
• It took 4 to 5 weeks to die of mustard gas poisoning.
The Machine Gun
• This new development changed the nature of war
• It literally mowed soldiers down as they advanced
• Used as a defensive weapon, it made offensive assaults ineffective
The Ross Rifle
• Sam Hughes issued Canadian soldiers the Ross Rifle to replace the Lee Enfield Rifle
• It was inferior & frequently jammed
• Hughes refused for a long time to replace it.
• In the meantime, Canadian soldiers took Lee Enfield rifles from fallen British soldiers.
• The Lee Enfield eventually replaced the Ross Rifle.
Tanks
• A British idea that came late to the battlefield in WW1
• They were an attempt to deal with the machine gun
• They were not used effectively and use was limited
• They were unreliable and became easily stuck in the mud.
o They were easy targets for artillery.
The Aeroplane
• First airplane flight was in 1903 by the Wright brothers
• Early pilots dropped bricks & shot pistols
• Soon guns were mounted on the planes
• They were also used for reconnaissance (spying)
• The top WW1 allied ace was William (Billy) Bishop, (CAN)
U-Boats
• German submarines harassed & destroyed many ships.
• Moving undetected, the U-boat was a effective weapon
Canadian Command & Leadership
• Minister of Militia Sam Hughes was plagued by scandals and when he challenged the PM in 1916,
he was fired.
• Julian Byng (British) commanded the CEF from 1916-17. He was promoted after the success of
Vimy Ridge.
• Arthur Currie (Can) Commanded the Canadian Army after the promotion of Julian Byng. He was
mostly responsible for the success at Vimy. He was known for careful planning and was a fierce
advocate for the safety & cohesion of Canadian soldiers.
• PM Robert Borden sought more Dominion input into the war, and got it in 1917 when British PM
David Lloyd George established the Imperial War Cabinet, comprised of the Prime Ministers of all
the Dominions.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON FIVE: THE CEF AT WAR
The CEF at War
• The CEF was the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.
• 425,000 Men & Women joined the CEF
• 35,000 joined British Services (such as the Air Service)
Ypres, (Second Battle of)
• April 22 & 24, 1915, Belgium
• Canada’s 1st Div. was subject to the first chlorine gas attack which burned and blinded troops
• The allies suffered 6,035 casualties, with no clear winner
The Somme
• July-November 1916- best example of war of attrition
• Fought over low ridges near the Somme River in France.
• Day 1- Br. Casualties 57,470, (19,240 were fatalities).
• A Newfoundland regiment of 801 soldiers went into battle; only 65 survived the first day.
• Canadians suffered 24,029 casualties
• Soldiers walked shoulder to shoulder across no man’s land, only to be mowed down by German
machine guns
• Both sides suffered heavy casualties
• British gained only 10 km at the end. Considered a defeat
Vimy Ridge
• April 9, 1917, Northern France
• French had tried to take it three times unsuccessfully
• Many believed it couldn’t be done.
• Canadians took the ridge after careful planning, excellent execution of plans, supervised by
General Byng.
• Major Canadian Victory! We won more ground, took more prisoners, captured more artillery and
suffered less losses than any previous British offensive
• 10,602 casualties- (3,598 dead)
Passchendaele (3rd Battle of Ypres)
• November 1917, Belgium
• Canadians ordered to attack
• Germans had the position for months, had little value
• 600,000 British soldiers had died trying to take it
• Gen. Currie made careful plans for a Canadian success
• Victory cost 15,654 Canadian deaths.
Canada’s 100 Days
• Aug 1918- Nov 11, 1918
• The final Allied offensive was spearheaded by Canada.
• The Canadian troops broke through Germany’s heavily fortified “Hindenburg Line”
• The Germans were forced to abandon significant amounts of materials as they were slowly
pushed back
• Germany was defeated, but continued to fight hard and never fully retreated.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON SIX: THE WAR AT HOME
The War in Canada
• War Changed Daily Life
o Guards watched bridges, BC bought two submarines.
o Rations and impacted consumption
o Any disaster was quickly rumored to be the work of Germans
• By 1917, munitions manufacturing was the largest industry
• High demands were placed on the agriculture industry, (led to over-farming)
• Canadians ate “war bread” & had “Meatless Mondays”
• More people working + less consumer goods = inflation
• Railroads and Banks were brought under national control
• A ban on strikes was issued.
Defective Goods
• Sam Hughes, Canada’s Minister of Militia, was in charge of Canada’s shell industry.
• Canada supplied about 1/3 of the shells used by the British.
• Canada produced supplies from ammunition to training planes
• Unfortunately, many producers made inferior products because of the rush to fill contracts and in
some cases, because of profiteering, (using cheap or incorrect material to maximize profits).
• This led to boots that fell apart in mud & useless trench shovels
• It also cost lives as shells and guns misfired or exploded.
Paying for the War
• Soon, the Gov’t was running out of money
• The Gov’t decided to sell “War Bonds” or “Victory Bonds”
o 1915-1917- over $700 million was raised.
• This wasn’t enough- more money was needed.
• A temporary tax was introduced- a tax on income.
• Today, this temporary tax is still with us, “INCOME TAX”
Wartime Propaganda
• Propaganda motivated people to enlist, ration food, and buy victory bonds.
• Propaganda appealed to a sense of duty, patriotism, and even shame.
Ethnic Problems In Canada
• 1914- 100,000 Germans, Hungarians & Austrians Lived in Canada
• Loyal ones returned home to fight, BUT those who stayed were viewed with suspicion
• The flip side of patriotism is intolerance
• By mid of 1915, 6000 “enemy aliens” (Germans & Austrians), were living in internment camps.
• City of Berlin, Ontario changed its name to Kitchener.
• Many companies & workers saw this as a chance to get rid of ethnic competition in the workplace.
Power To the Women
• Women experienced more responsibility and influence.
• Many women pushed for the vote and for prohibition.
• A grain shortage made prohibition an easy task.
• Empowered by this, many of the same women continued to push for the vote.
• Women with family in the CEF were given the vote in 1917 to support conscription.
• In May of 1918, all women over 21 got the vote.
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON SEVEN: CRISIS AT HOME
The Conscription Crisis
• By 1916 enlistment was starting to drop, supporters already joined.
• Other reasons not to join:
o employment was up
o No longer seen as a quick war, or as an adventure
• French Canadians didn’t want to fight
• First Half of 1916- CEF recruited 134,000
• Last Half of 1916- CEF recruited 36,000
• Borden took his Conservative party to the polls in 1917
• Biggest issue was Conscription, Borden needed votes
o Soldiers located anywhere could vote
o Women in the CEF (or wives of CEF) were given the vote
• Both these groups would support conscription.
• Borden invited Liberals who supported conscription to join a new “Union Gov’t”.
• Laurier opposed conscription and the Liberals lost support except for Quebec.
• RESULT:
Laurier/Lib 82, Borden/Cons (Union) 162
• 1917- Borden introduced the “Military Service Act”- Conscription
• Opposition was strong - an exemption was given to farmers
• 404,395 men were called BUT 380,510 appealed!
• Tribunals in Que. exempted Canadien, but forced Anglo. to serve.
• An appeal court overturned the exemptions.
• Easter 1918, Que. City, a man w/o exemption papers was arrested
• A riot broke out and Ottawa sent 700 troops from Ontario
• Mon, April 1, 1918, soldiers fire at a crowd, killing 4
• Riots ended at the request of the Catholic Church
• Borden doesn’t give in; all exemptions are cancelled
The Halifax Explosion
• Halifax was an important harbour for convoys.
• Dec 6, 1917, the Mont Blanc was leaving the harbour
• The Mont Blanc was loaded with 2,300 tons of wet and dry picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 10 tons of
gun cotton, & 35 tons of benzol
• A Norwegian ship, the Imo, struck the Mont Blanc
• Fire broke out on the Mont Blanc & she burned for 20 minutes
• People watched, amazed by the spectacle.
• At 9:05 am, the Mont Blanc exploded
• 1,900 people died, 250 bodies never identified, 6,000 w/o shelter
• 1,630 homes were completely destroyed, 12,000 houses damaged
• Hardly a pane of glass in Halifax and Dartmouth was left intact.
• In hospitals, 25 limbs amputated; more than 250 eyes removed
• It was the largest man made explosion in history (until 1945)
Spanish Flu
• In 1918 returning Soldiers brought back a bad strain of Influenza
• In Montreal, a trolley car was adapted to carry coffins because city hearses could not keep up
with the volume of dead bodies.
• About 50,000 Canadians Died
Social Studies 11: World War One
LESSON EIGHT: THE END OF THE WAR
The Russian Revolution
• In 1917, Bolsheviks in Russia overthrew the Tsar of Russia.
• The USSR was established under a Communist Government.
• V.I. Lenin led the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union.
• Russia withdrew from the war, signing a peace with the Germans.
• The Allies saw this as a betrayal.
End of the War & Peace
• 1917 David Lloyd George elected PM of Britain
• George calls Dominion PM’s to form a War Cabinet
• Borden was a strong advocate of Canadian involvement
• Canadians took part in the final offensive, driving Germany back
• An Armistice was signed & the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918
• The war cost ~10,000,000 lives, Can. lost >68,000 men
• Canada’s debt had quadrupled
• The peace treaty was concluded at the Palace of Versailles in France.
Leaders at The Peace Negotiations
• Woodrow Wilson- US Pres
o Optimistic, idealistic, wanted to create a lasting peace
o Not taken seriously by European leaders (the US had entered late & hadn’t suffered the
same way.)
o Wilson drafted the “14 Points”, (war aims) and many hoped they would shape the peace
o The 14 Points included:
 “Freedom of the Seas”, “End to Secret Treaties”
 “Self Determination”, “creation of a ‘League of Nations’”
• George Clemanceau (The Tiger)- French Pres
o Wanted BLOOD. Germany was to be punished, crushed and humiliated. He wanted a
“pound of Flesh”.
• David Lloyd George, PM of Britain.
o Wanted to keep his colonies and his Navy
o Wanted Germ. to pay reparations (payments for damage)
• Robert Borden (PM of Canada)
o He wanted reparations & to be recognized as an independent country, not a colony of
Britain
o Despite other’s protests, Borden got a seat at Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles
• The Peace was harsh for Germany.
• They were forced to admit guilt and accept responsibility for the war.
• Germany was not part of the negotiations & was forced to sign the treaty
• Borden Signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of Canada
• Wilson took it back to the US congress, Congress didn’t ratify it
• The US began a period of isolation.