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WWI: The Canadian Response. A War in Europe; August, 1914. The Alliances are in full effect! Serbia and Austria-Hungary are at war Assassination of Franz Ferdinand Russia and Austria-Hungary at war Russia protecting Serbia Germany and Russia are at war
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A War in Europe; August, 1914 The Alliances are in full effect! • Serbia and Austria-Hungary are at war • Assassination of Franz Ferdinand • Russia and Austria-Hungary at war • Russia protecting Serbia • Germany and Russia are at war • Germany protecting Austria-Hungary • Germany invades France through Belgium • The Schlieffen Plan • Conquer France first, then focus on Russia • Britain and Germany at war • Britain protecting Belgium
Canadian Respond! • When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada followed suit immediately (Aug. 5, 1914, one day after Britain) • PM Borden, and opposition leader Laurier both pledge Canadian military support to Britain "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” - Laurier
Support for the war among Canadians • economy doing poorly • war-time production would be a boost to manufacturing • soldiers pay was decent and regular • many were struggling to find consistent work at this time • Many who enlisted were born in Britain • Seen as an adventure, or a free trip back to “home”
Expectations about WWI “Over by Christmas” • Kaiser Wilhelm (Germany) • Told troops that they would be, "…home before the leaves have fallen from the trees” • Germany stocked enough gunpowder for 6 months • Russia expected to take Berlin within 6 weeks • British War Secretary Lord Kitchener one of the few official expecting a long war (“up to three years” not many believed him at the time
Which Canadians Enlist? • Which groups of Canadians were quick to enlist? • What wasthe reaction of other groups? • Who wanted to fight but could not? • Pages 56-59, and 128-129 of the handout package
Who wanted to fight? • English and British Canadians • Other groups • French-Canadians were reluctant to fight Britain's war, but many thousands served and died for Canada • Wanted to, but couldn’t serve • Native-Canadians discouraged from enlisting • Japanese-Canadians outright rejected • “peculiar customs, different appearance” wouldn’t make good citizens • African-Canadians rejected as well • “This is not for you fellows, this is a white man’s war” • Eventually, all groups allowed to fight. Why?