Events that Shaped Canada

1. Events that Shaped Canada A look at events in history

2. Canada’s Identity • For the longest time Canada was not a country. We were part of the British Empire. • Many of our customs and traditions came from Britain. Much of our language, government, and way of life, was based on Britain.

3. Canada’s Identity • Canada is also a country of immigrants. People from other countries have been moving to Canada, since the times of settlement. • Some of our customs and traditions, also come from these immigrants and their home countries.

4. Patriotism • Patriotism is when people feel strongly about their country. They feel proud to be from a particular country. • Someone who is patriotic is proud from their country. • Canadians are patriotic, but because of there history it took a while to get this way. • They were a country for the longest time that was a colony of Britain and a country of immigrants. Events in history have helped Canadians become patriotic but also define what it means to be Canadian.

5. Canada’s Identity • There have been many events that have occurred in our history, that have also shaped our identity. • Slowly Canada began to develop its own identity, rather than just being a colony under the British Empire or a Country of immigrants • Let’s take a look at some of these events.

6. War of 1812 • Canada was still a colony of Britain, but his was the first war in which Canadians fought to protect their lands. • The British, with the Canadians, defeat the American Revolutionists.

7. World War I • Known as the Great War or First World War. • Went from 1914-1919 • Took place mostly in Europe, but involved many countries around the world • Canada joined the war because the British were part of the war. • War began because Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. He was the heir to the Austrian-Hungary throne.

8. Facts about WWI • 40 million causalities (people who died), 20 million were military, 20 million were civilian. • Canada fought for the British, but fought as Canadians. This was the beginning of Canada’s independence. We did not have a choice to join the war, unlike the Americans, but we fought for Canada.

11. Canada’s role in WWI • Many Canadians died in the war. • Canada took part in many battles. One of the most famous and important was the Battle of Vimy Ridge. • Canadians developed patriotism. They were fighting to defend the people of Canada, not just for Britain.

12. Battle of Vimy Ridge • The Canadian corps battle the Germans. This victory was a major success during the war. • Unfortunately many Canadian soldiers died as well.

13. Conscription Crisis • In 1917 not enough people were volunteering for the war. Many soldiers were dying and not enough people were signing up to a soldiers. • The Canadian Government had to make a decision, the decided to force all men, of a certain age to join the army. • The made many people upset, because they felt it should be a choice. But without these men, the allies may have not been successful in the war.

14. Halifax Explosion • http://www.cbc.ca/halifaxexplosion/ • This explosion was the worst man-made catastrophes on Canadian soil. • 2000 people were killed, 9000 injured.

15. World War II • This was the second world war. It was also a global war. • 60 million people died. • The allies were the Soviet Union, United States and Britain. • The axis were Germany, Italy and Japan. • 1939-1945

16. World War II • Adolf Hitler started the war by invading Poland. • Hitler wanted to make Germany the world super power. • Japan also wanted to have more power in the world.

17. Canada and World War II • Canada was very influential in the success of the allies. • Canada participated in the Invasion of Normandy. • Canada’s patriotism grew. Canadian soldiers continued to fight for Canada.

18. Japanese Internment Camps • During the war, Japan was the enemy. • The Canadian government decided to put all Japanese people in internment camps. • They held them prisoner because they were worried that they may side with the Japanese and attack the people in Canada. • David Suzuki was a prisoner in these camps.

19. Invasion of Normandy • http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008717 • The Allies invaded France, which was occupied by Germany. There were many deaths, but this victory was the beginning of the end for Germany.

20. Post War Events • Lestor B. Pearson, PM- works with the United Nations to develop a peace keeping force. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for this idea. • Canada is still very involved today in Peace Keeping missions around the world. Ie- Afghanistan

21. Bill of Rights • In 1960 Canada developed its own Bill of Rights. • it obliged the federal government to guarantee civil rights and freedoms to all Canadians. • It recognized the rights of individuals to life, liberty, personal security and enjoyment of property.

22. Flag Act • The Flag Act in 1964 enabled Canada to create its own flag • On February 15, 1965, Canada’s new flag flew for the first time from the Peace tower in Ottawa.

23. Canada Act • In 1982 the Canada Act was passed. • It essentially cut Canada free from all ties to Britain • It gave Canada its freedom and officially made Canada its own country.

24. Charter of Rights and Freedoms • In 1982, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect. • The Charter guarantees all Canadians fundamental rights, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights and linguistic rights. • The Charter has led to profound changes in Canadian law.

25. Events in Canadian History • Open Immigration policy, right from the pre-colonial era. • War of 1812 • World War I • Conscription Crisis of 1917 • World War II • Bill of Rights • Flag Act • Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Canada