Changes Caused by World War I


Targets



In this lesson, you will learn about how World War I impacted Canadians at home as well as overseas.


Introduction

World War I helped Canada to recognize itself as a country, apart from Great Britain.  When Britain declared war, Canadians were automatically at war too.  However, Prime Minister Borden wanted Canadians to fight in their own units.  Canadian victories brought a sense of pride and accomplishment.

As the men left to fight the war oversees, women also wanted to contribute to these efforts. Many women worked in factories or joined the Red Cross to offer support.

Women working in gas mask factory in Geneva, Switzerland By Unknown or not provided - Swiss Federal Archives, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29929332
Women war workers sawing wood specimens for testing at the New Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal, London. Imperial War Museums by George P. Lewis (1918).

Please feel 'free' to click on any or all of the images of women and how they contributed.
Watch World War I - How it Changed Canada to learn more about how Canada gained its identity during the war.

Listen to this old recording of John McCormack singing:
"It's a Long Way from Tipperary"

This song was popular at a time of great change in Canada.

Find out more about these changes in today’s lesson.