UNIT 2: WORLD WAR 1 CANADIAN HISTORY 1201. THE CONTEXT Territorial expansion was rapid by European countries and the US Countries had been building up.

U N I T 2 : W O R L D WA R 1

CANADIAN HISTORY 1201

THE CONTEXT

• Territorial expansion was rapid by European countries and the US• Countries had been building up their empires• Wanted to increase their wealth• Every European country had colonies in Africa or

Asia• Countries built up their militaries

• Race for naval supremacy• British Navy was the strongest• Protected England (island)• German Kaiser wanted a force to equal the Royal

Navy• Could also further economic interests in Asia and

Africa• Make it a world power

• Result?• National rivalries• A lot of tension• Germany and Britain in a naval race to build

bigger and better ships

ALLIANCE SYSTEM

• What is the Alliance System?• Countries forming friendships with other countries

to stop another country from gaining power• In WWI, it was a result of the competition and

tension between countries• Why? A way to tip the balance of power in their

favor

• What was the problem with the Alliance System?• Countries felt loyalty to defend another country

ALLIANCES ON THE EVE OF WAR

ALLIANCE SYSTEMS

• Two major alliances:• 1. Triple Alliance:• Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy• Also known as the Central Powers

• 2. Triple Entente:• Britain, France and Russia• Also known as the Allies• Entente means friendly understanding

ASSASSINATION

• WWI was sparked by conflict in the Balkans• Balkans are on the Balkan peninsula in Southeast

Europe

• Russia was an ally to the Serbs• Shared common religion and language• Serbia was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908

• On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated• He was heir to the Austria-Hungary Empire

• Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serb• Austria-Hungry was an ally of Germany

ASSASSINATION: ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND

• Video:• https://

www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Assassin-of-Archduke-Franz-Ferdinand-Gavrilo-Princip

• https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Assassination-of-Archduke-Franz-Ferdinand

• https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Assassination-of-Franz-Ferdinand-A-Cause-of-WWI

GERMANY’S STRATEGY

• Schliefen Plan:• Thought would be a quick war• Germany’s plan of attack for WWI• Austria-Hungary attack Serbia• Germany attack France, then Russia• Failed because: 1. British tied up Germany in

Belgium 2. Russia attacked Austria-Hungary• Significant?• Because war was not going to be quick

CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING

• Read pp.63-66• On Page 67, do questions 1, 2, and 4

CANADA

• Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914• In response to Germany’s attack on Belgium• Canada declared war on Germany on August 5

• Canada just had a small army• Called for 25,000 volunteers• They set sail for Europe on October 1914

NEWFOUNDLAND

• Newfoundland was a colony of Britain• A large turn-out of volunteers joined the army• Newfoundlanders joined the Newfoundland

Regiment• Became known as the Blue Puttees• Uniforms made from blue cloth

• Video: Blue Puttees• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knxR-Q2VoBE

• A large British French attack on Germany was planned for summer 1916• It was called the July Drive

• On July 1, 1916, most members of the regiment were killed at Beaumont Hamel• 30 minute attack across No Man’s Land• Faced German machine guns• There were 684 casualties, of which 310 were

dead• Only 68 were available for roll call the next

morning

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32xVafQIEJs

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nge_O3PvDmo

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING!

• Read pp.69-70• Questions:• 1. Why did Canada declare war?• 2. Who was given the challenge of training the

Canadian army? Was he prepared? Explain• 3. What was the July Drive?• 4. What was the name of the place where the

tragic events unfolded for the Newfoundland Regiment?• 5. Why is July 1 a day of mixed feelings for many

Newfoundlanders?

TECHNOLOGY AND WW1

• Most believed that the war would be a quick one• They were wrong• Became a war of attrition.• Attrition means to wear down the enemy, its

supplies and soldiers, over a long period of time

• Trench Warfare:• Means of fighting in WWI• Soldiers dug narrow trenches, or ditches, that

were connected• Some trenches were very elaborate• Barbed wire in front, to prevent against surprise

attack• Result: Two sides facing each other in stalemate

TECHNOLOGY

• 1. Machine guns and artillery: • Needed cover from these killing machines.

TECHNOLOGY

• 2. Gas engine• Replaced horse and mule with cars, trucks,

motorcycles• Why did the engine become important?• 1. Transported equipment and supplies• 2. Communication was more effective

• 3. Tanks and Airplanes:• Tanks: First used by British in 1916• Tanks were created to end stalemate of trench

warfare• Roll over barbed wire. Move across muddy fields

• Airplanes: First used to make observations• Fly over enemy territory• Machine guns were put on the planes• Became a weapon of war

• 4. Submarines:• First developed by British in 1908• Germany developed U-boat shortly thereafter• U-boat?• Undersea boat• Important?• Difficult to detect and destroy• Sunk many merchant ships

• 5. Gas:• Widely used• Mustard gas was the first lethal gas• Gas mask was developed

• Video: Trench Warfare and Technology in WWI• http://

www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/tech-developments-of-world-war-i

• Read pp. 72-75• Do questions:• Page 76: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7

CANADA AT WAR: MAJOR BATTLES

• 1. Ypres:• In Belgium• 1915• Over 6,000 soldiers died• After the battle headed to France• John McRae wrote in Flanders Field

• 2. The Somme:• 1916• Moved from Flanders to The Somme, in France• Canada lost 24,000 soldiers• Developed reputation by the Germans

• 3. Vimy Ridge:• 1917• Heavily fortified by Germany• Canada given responsibility to attack hill

defended by Germans• Victory for Canda. Coming together as a nation• Four Victoria crosses were awarded

• The Battle of Ypres: Video (1915):• https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKwa95IVgM8

• The Somme:• https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPT1MKOP8TQ

• Vimy Ridge:• http://globalnews.ca/video/1490468/inside-the-tre

nches-at-vimy-ridge/ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHj88WeLohk

WESTERN EUROPE: WW1 BATTLES

CANADA AT WAR: MAJOR BATTLES

• 4. Passchendale:• After Vimy Ridge• Third battle for Ypres, Belgium• Took place in late 1917• British, Canadian attack against the Germans

• Very muddy• Soldiers drowned in the fields. Many slipped and died in

the craters/mud holes• 16,000 Canadian troops died.• Newfoundland Regiment was given the title Royal after

this battle• The attack was devastating but successful

• Video: Battle of Passchendaele

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_CDT-EGDsI

1918: CANADA’S HUNDRED DAYS

• August to November 1918• Major Canadian attacks against Germany• In France and Belgium• Forced German retreat• Canada suffered 46,000 casualties. 20% were

deaths

END OF WAR!

• Canada was fighting in Belgium• Armistice (peace deal) signed November 11, 1918• George Price was the last Canadian killed in WW1• Over 66,000 Canadians were killed• Total of 620,000 served in the war

CANADA: THE WAR AT HOME

• Prime Minister was Robert Borden• Canadian government had to finance and

coordinate war effort• Cost was one million dollars/day

• 1. War Measures Act:• Gave government more powers• Didn’t have to go through Parliament• People could be arrested if suspected to be enemies

(aliens)• Farmers and factories were told what to produce• Prohibition was imposed

War at Home: Initiatives

• 2. Financing the War:• Canadians bought Victory Bonds. A way for citizens to

lend government money, for a profit• Income tax was introduced• $4 thrift stamps could be cashed in for $5• Over $1 billion was raised for the war effort

• 3. Feeding the Troops:• Food production was increased by 400%• War destroyed European farmland• Government turned to teenagers and women

• 4. Arming the Troops:• WW1 was good for industry• Canadian metals were no longer shipped• Developed heavy industry to fight war

• Produced ammunition, cargo ships, anti-submarine ships and airplanes• Canadian factories were supplying 35% of the

ammunition used by British and Canadian forces

• Production rose from $71 million to $555 million• Found another market when the US entered the

war in 1917

ENEMIES AT HOME

• In 1914, there were 1 million Austrian, German and Hungarian people living in Canada• Many rumors and fears of terrorism• Government forbid them to own guns, register

with police

• Outlawed publication of enemy newspapers• Lost right to vote• 8500 were sent to camps• Thrown out of work• Feared by neighbors• Berlin, Ontario change its name to Kitchener

• Read pp.77-87

• Assign Worksheet

THE WAR AT HOME

• 1. The Conscription Crisis:• Conscription means being forced by government

to join the army• Many volunteered at the beginning of war• Included English speaking and French• More than 350,000 enlisted

• By 1916 there was a need for more soldiers• PM Borden needed to replace the casualties

(those injured and died)• Borden wanted Canada to play a major role

• Many farmers and laborers opposed conscription. Why? Could not spare sons and employees• Biggest opposition, however, was in Quebec!• French made up 28% of population and less than

5% soldiers

• Why did Quebec oppose conscription?• Quebecers did not like law banning French in

schools• Young soldiers were poorly treated.• Commanding officers spoke only English• Government refused to create new French

regiments

• What was the result?• Borden passed Military Service Act in 1917• Conscripted men between 20-35 years of age• Protests and riots in Quebec• Election called: Borden for and Laurier against

• Borden won the election• Laurier called a traitor• War ended. Most did not serve• Bitter feelings between English and French

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugeq0PIjuSQ

WOMEN AND WW1

• Women’s lives changed dramatically with WW1• Served overseas as nurses, ambulance drivers,

and in army offices• Biggest role was at home in Canada

• Worked in factories and on farms• Kept families going• Some were opposed. Why? Feared would replace

men after the war

• What was the impact of WW1 for women?• Attitudes changed• Roles in society changed• Used to work in domestic jobs. Many were stay at

home mothers. Few worked as nurses or teachers

• After the war, women became active in non-traditional jobs such as social work, medicine, journalism and law• Fought for better working conditions, housing and

equal rights• Seen as equals

• Women became convinced they should have a share in political decision making• In 1917, PM Borden, granted the mothers, sisters,

daughters and wives the right to vote in federal elections

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWo_RmwGeGk

THE PROPAGANDA WAR

• Propaganda is the word used to describe the process of persuading people to believe in a certain set of ideas

• How was propaganda used in WW1:• 1. To persuade men and women to join armed

forces• 2. To influence how people felt about the war

and Germany• 3. To help the Union government win the 1917

election

• 1. Propaganda to join the armed forces (enlist):

• Propaganda to appeal to women:

• Posters to encourage votes for union government:

• Video: WW1 and propaganda

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXH4ZiSk1K4

WWI: PROPAGANDA

• Controlling the News:• People depended on newspapers• Government did not want information about

casualties to be shared. Why?• Discourage support for the war• Caused frustration. People wanted the truth

LEGACY OF WAR

• 1. Resolution IX:• Canada would be an autonomous country• Make their own decisions in international affairs

• 2. Treaty of Versailles• Peace agreement between Germany and allies• Germany was forced to accept war reparations

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• War Reparations:• Accept total blame for the war• Give up its weapons, ships and railroads• Give back all the lands• Pay $33 million• Allow allied troops on its territory

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnEy8FuElc