BELLWORK

1. BELLWORK • What was a primary difference in the ideologies/views of Laurier and Borden? • Who was Sam Hughes? What did he want from Borden? • Which groups/people in Canada opposed their involvement in WWI? • What were the advantages/disadvantages of Canada integrating her military with British forces? • THINKER: WWI is considered an important event in the development of Canada as an independent nation. Why do you think this is? How can the experience of war foster nationalist feelings?

2. Canada Pre-WWI • As a Dominion of the British Empire, the British government controlled Canada’s foreign policies • Gained independence in domestic issues in 1867 (British NA Act) • In 1912, the Canadian military was integrated into British defense plans. • At the outbreak of WWI, Canada had a standing military of 4,000 men & the navy consisted of two warships.

3. Declaration of War • Britain declared war on August 4, 1914 • This British declaration of war automatically brought Canada into the conflict • "It is our duty to let Great Britain know and to let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart and that all Canadians are behind the Mother Country” (Wilfred Laurier)

4. Preparation for War • Initial commitment was 25,000 men • Equipped & delivered to Europe at Canada’s expense…..$50 million • To facilitate this mobilization, the government passed the War Measures Act. • Fed.Gov. had the right to govern in times of “war, invasion or insurrection.”

6. Preparation for War • Mobilization effort was dominated by Sam Hughes • Assembled, trained, equipped men for battle (100,000 by mid-1915 & reserves in England) • Organizations (YMCA & Canadian Patriotic Fund) raised money for troops, food, uniforms, weapons

9. Opposition to War • Opposition existed at the outbreak of WWI, but grew as the stalemate continued. • Religious groups, farmers, French, Quebec, immigrants • Why do you think French-Canadians opposed involvement in WWI?

10. Anti-War demonstration in Montreal; 1917

11. Canada’s Role in WWI • Providing troops to the allies on Western Front • Supplier of primary resources • Wheat • Lumber • Meat • Minerals • Ammunition production • Imperial War Conference (Jan. 1917): Britain expected more from her dominions, but they wanted a change in political status

13. HMCS Niobe stops a liner for contraband inspection off the American coast, 1914.

15. BELLWORK • Explain Canada’s political status pre-WWI. • How did Canada prepare for war? • List 3 ways Canada contributed to the war effort. • What was decided at the Imperial War Conference? • THINKER: As you know the implementation of the draft by PM Borden in 1917 led to a wave of opposition/protests from Canadian citizens. What do YOU think? Should the government have the right to conscript it’s citizens?

16. Canada’s Current Status • As the Dominions acquired autonomy and then independence from Britain, the Empire evolved into the Commonwealth, with a voluntary and equal membership of independent states. • England had a few powers to make laws for Canada until the new Constitution Act was passed in 1982. Currently, Canada is technically independent. It just so happens that it shares the British monarch, as dictated by the Constitution Act - so Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada • Nevertheless, the Queen has come to acquire some symbolically-important roles as Head of the Commonwealth. Her formal functions include opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, and giving her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth. She is kept informed of political developments in Commonwealth countries through the heads of government. • Furthermore, she is supplied with information by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London - created in 1965 by all Commonwealth members, essentially to aid inter-governmental co-operation • All speeches which she makes in a Commonwealth monarchy, for example Canada or Australia, are made on the advice and responsibility of the prime minister of the country concerned. • Canada owes its independence from Britain to political developments, rather than legal changes in the formal constitution • This fundamental transfer of executive power, which brought with it complete independence in foreign relations, was achieved almost entirely by constitutional convention. • http://thecommonwealth.org/member-countries

17. Payment for War • Canada was already in debt & an economic depression prior to WWI • Had to borrow money…..not from England…..who? • Increased taxes (new items & income) • Emerged from WWI with a debt around $5 billion

19. Military Service Act of 1917 • Prime Minister Borden passed the Military Service Act in 1917 which officially started conscription (the draft). • It was modeled after England’s 1916 Military Service Act. • This act required all male citizens, ages 20-45, to register for the draft, and if called upon, would be required to serve for the duration of the conflict. • Why do you think Borden implemented the draft? • Conscription is used throughout the 20th century by most countries during war, including the U.S. and Canada. What are the advantages/disadvantages of conscription? • Which groups in society do you think supported the draft? Who do you think opposed it? • What do YOU think? Should the government have the right to conscript it’s citizens?

22. Conscription Crisis of 1917 • Borden’s decision to implement the draft is still considered one of the fiercest and most divisive debates in Canadian political history. • French-Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed the measure. • English-speaking Canadians, led by Prime Minister Borden and senior members of his Cabinet, as well as British immigrants, the families of soldiers, and older Canadians, generally supported it. • The conscription debate intensified pre-existing divisions in Canada including language education, agriculture, religion, and the political rights of women and immigrants. • It also grew into a test of one's support for, or opposition to, the war as a whole. Charges of disloyalty, cowardice, and immorality from pro-conscription advocates were matched by cries of imperialism, stupidity, and bloodlust by the anti-conscription camp. • PM Borden was re-elected in 1918 due to the support of the English-speaking majority and military. He lost in French/agricultural regions.

24. Conscription Results • For many Canadians, the draft was an important and necessary contribution to a faltering war effort; for others, it was an oppressive act passed dishonestly by a government more British than Canadian. • Farmers sought agricultural exemptions from compulsory service until the end of the war. Borden's government, anxious for farmers' votes, agreed to limited exemptions, largely for farmers' laboring sons, but broke the promise after the election. • French Canadians did not feel the same patriotism and support for Great Britain that English Canadians did • Immigrants and minorities did not support it because they still had no political voice

25. Conscription Results • French-speaking Canadians protested throughout 1917-18; young men by the tens of thousands joined others from across Canada in refusing to register for the selection process. • Of those that did register, 93% applied for an exemption. • An effort to arrest suspected draft dodgers was highly unpopular across the province and resulted in several days of rioting and street battles in Quebec in 1918. The violence left four civilians dead and dozens injured, and shocked supporters on both sides. • Conscription would have minimal impact on Canada's war effort. By the end of WWI in November 1918, only 48,000 conscripts had been sent overseas, half of which ultimately served at the front. More than 50,000 more conscripts remained in Canada. These would have been required had the war continued into 1919

27. Conscription Activity: Silent Debate • You and a partner will engage in a silent debate activity focusing on the pros/cons of Canadian Conscription. • Partner A: representing the interests of French Canadians • Partner B: representing the interest of English Canadians • Follow the guidelines on the handout – make sure you use evidence to back up your arguments. • Afterwards, you and your partner must come to a conclusion, so make sure you are paying attention to counter-arguments • Remember…… • NO TALKING!!!!!

28. HOMEWORK • Tomorrow we will focus on US involvement in WWI. • For homework tonight, read pgs. 42-44 in the packet. • Focus any notes/annotations on • Russian Withdrawal • US declaration of war & why? • Its effects on the balance of power

29. 2013 Writing Assignment: Conscription • For this writing assignment, you are to take on the viewpoint of either- • A Canadian soldier fighting on the Western front • A Canadian Farmer • An English Canadian • A French Canadian • An Immigrant (not native to Canada) • From this person’s perspective, you will write a letter to Prime Minister Borden expressing your support/opposition to the Military Service Act. • You must include support/evidence to back up your opinion. Get into character! Why would that person support/oppose the draft? Show your understanding of conscription and the debate present during the war! • Due Wednesday and needs to be min. 2 paragraphs