Canada Goes to War

1. Canada Goes to War

2. Canada in 1939 When Canada declares war they have an army of 10 000. Government had consistently decreased military spending during the Depression-the defense budget in 1939 was $35 million. Canadian army possessed 14 tanks, 29 Bren guns, 23 anti-tank rifles, and 5 small mortar guns. The Canadian Navy had 10 operational vessels and the Canadian Air Force had only 50 modern aircraft.

3. Why Weren’t We Ready? Pacifism-Canadians disillusioned with war after WWI and worked to promote peace. Great Depression-By 1939 Canada was in its tenth year of Depression and foreign politics seemed irrelevant. Isolationism-Canada followed a state policy of Isolationism. Appeasement-King enthusiastically supports European appeasement with the Munich Agreement. Political Leadership-King’s primary concern was for Canadian unity and not foreign relations.

4. Canada Declares War Treaty of Westminster-Imperial Act of the Parliament of Great Britain granting independence to select colonies, including Canada. Parliament-Canada declares war on Monday September 11, one week after Britain and France. Objective-King intended to send 40 000 soldiers. His main objective was to supply food and war materials to Britain.

5. Phony War Britain, France, and Canada declare war yet from September 1939-April 1940 nothing happens even though the nations are officially at war This soon ends as Germany rapidly takes over Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands within weeks. Germany has control over most of Europe and turns its attention to France

6. Dunkirk Britain and Canada thousands of troops across the English channel to France to help defend its border. Germany advances too rapidly and the troops are trapped. Miracle of Dunkirk- 300 000soldiers were rescued by boats of all sizes. In addition to the British destroyers, a makeshift fleet of sightseeing boats, river ferries, fishing boats and privately owned crafts sailed across the British Channel to return the stranded troops safely back to Britain. Britain lost tons of equipment and boats but managed to save the soldiers. Although the rescue was a tremendous success. Churchill still warns the people that “Wars are not won by evacuations.”