4.5.3 Canada and World War II
Completion requirements
4.5.3 Canada and World War II
Should nations pursue national interest?
Big Ideas:
- Are there positive and negative consequences to the pursuit of national interests?
- What are the effects of nationalism and ultranationalism during conflict?
Canada after World War I
After World War I, Canada was given membership into the League of Nations for its war efforts and its new stature in the world. Although it was a member of the League, Canada was not interested in playing a big role in world affairs.
- The conscription crisis of WWI had created tensions in Canada, a situation that convinced many Canadians that Canada should stay out of European conflicts.
- The Great Depression caused severe economic difficulties for Canada, a situation that caused most Canadians to worry about the economy rather than events around the world.
Food line at the Yonge Street Mission, Toronto, Canada, 1930s
Canada and World War II
Events in Europe during the 1930s soon led Canada back to war. But, this time it was different. When Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, following Germany's invasion of Poland, Canada's foreign policy was not tied to that of Britain. As such, Canada was not automatically at war (as was the case in 1914).In 1931, the British government had passed the Statute of Westminster, which made Canada and other Commonwealth Dominions (Australia and New Zealand) independent of Britain. As a symbol of its sovereignty, Canada did not declare
war on Germany until a week after the British.
| Listen to Canada's declaration of war on Germany on September 10, 1939. |
Canada Enters World War II
At first, Canada entered World War II with the understanding that its involvement would be primarily supplying food, ammunition, and manufactured products to the Allied war effort and training members of the Royal Air Force. Canadian Prime
Minister Mackenzie King believed conscription (as used in World War I) would not be necessary for World War II, and Canada could still participate without risking the casualties suffered in WWI.
But, after the fall of France and the British evacuation of Dunkirk, the Nazi threat to the rest of the world increased dramatically and Canada redoubled its efforts, focusing on supplying men for combat.
But, after the fall of France and the British evacuation of Dunkirk, the Nazi threat to the rest of the world increased dramatically and Canada redoubled its efforts, focusing on supplying men for combat.
In 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, Canada further increased its war effort. Demands upon Canada's resources increased with every month, and Canada's casualties count began to climb.
Over 700 Canadian soldiers were killed or wounded in Hong Kong, and over half of Canada's 5 000 soldiers who participated in the raid on Dieppe (German-occupied France) were killed or wounded. Losses such as these, combined with greater U-boat activity, also over-extended the resources of the navy, resulting in the need for Canada to replace its significant losses.
HMCS Calgary: 1941 to 1945
The HMCS Calgary was part of the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, and fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic.
The HMCS Calgary was part of the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, and fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Canada and Conscription
The spirit of volunteerism in Canada was tested a great deal. As the war continued the number of volunteers decreased. Members of the government, who were faced with increased demands at home and from abroad, worried how Canada would be able to continue
its war effort. Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King (right) was very aware of the crisis brought on by conscription in World War I. However, he hesitantly brought up the idea of introducing conscription again as a possible method of meeting war demands.
In 1942 a referendum on conscription was held, and although 80% of English-Canadians said yes to conscription, 80% of French-Canadians said no. Conscription was not reintroduced, but by 1944, the number of volunteers was insufficient. Casualty rates were very high, and the need for soldiers was great. Heavy losses in the Italian Campaign and the Battle of Normandy eventually led to Canada's use of conscription in late 1944.
In 1942 a referendum on conscription was held, and although 80% of English-Canadians said yes to conscription, 80% of French-Canadians said no. Conscription was not reintroduced, but by 1944, the number of volunteers was insufficient. Casualty rates were very high, and the need for soldiers was great. Heavy losses in the Italian Campaign and the Battle of Normandy eventually led to Canada's use of conscription in late 1944.
Mackenzie King
© Library and Archives Canada/William Lyon Mackenzie King collection /C-027645
In 1944, conscription was reintroduced because of the great need for soldiers. Demonstrations and protests against conscription took place, once again, in Quebec, but not nearly to the degree as in 1917. In 1944, several French-Canadian leaders, especially Louis St. Laurent (the Canadian Minister for Justice), supported Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King's policy of conscription.
Canada and Ultranationalism
(click image to enlarge)
Part of Canada's legacies of internment and ultranationalism remained from World War I. And unfortunately, during World War II, ultranationalism became evident in Canada yet again.
Many propaganda posters depicting the Axis Powers (Italy, Germany, and Japan) relied on negative racial stereotypes and symbols designed to cause a reaction. Racism was directed once more toward the use of internment camps, this time against Japanese Canadians.
In the poster (left), the British Columbia Security Commission notifies the evacuation of ethnic Japanese from designated areas into internment camps.
Explore the resources below, and take notes based on the following question. How did Canada's foreign policy during World War II show characteristics of ultranationalism? Add point form notes to your 4.5 Notebook Organizer.
Many propaganda posters depicting the Axis Powers (Italy, Germany, and Japan) relied on negative racial stereotypes and symbols designed to cause a reaction. Racism was directed once more toward the use of internment camps, this time against Japanese Canadians.
In the poster (left), the British Columbia Security Commission notifies the evacuation of ethnic Japanese from designated areas into internment camps.
Explore the resources below, and take notes based on the following question. How did Canada's foreign policy during World War II show characteristics of ultranationalism? Add point form notes to your 4.5 Notebook Organizer.
Digging Deeper
| Use the websites below to help you discuss the following question. How did Canada show characteristics of ultranationalism during World War II? What legacies continue to be felt from Canada's foreign policy?
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| Watch the video "Apology to Japanese Canadians-September 22, 1988" to understand the impact of internment on Japanese Canadians, and to learn about Canada's attempt at reconciliation. |
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Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read the following.
These pages will further your understanding of how ultranationalism shapes the pursuit of national interests into domestic and foreign policy. |
| Continue to take notes about what you have read and viewed using the 4.5 Notebook Organizer (Word, PDF, Google Doc). When you are done, return here to continue. |