After the First World War, Canada and the rest of the world’s economy suffered tremendously for a decade between 1929-1939. Widely known as The Great Depression or The Dirty Thirties, this period saw widespread unemployment and hardships. However, in September 1939, Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland marked the beginning of a Second World War and brought about the end of The Great Depression. As nations prepared for war, economies, including Canada, flourished again, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Canadian people.
When looking at or discussing events revolving around World War II, we generally think of critical events across the Atlantic, such as the Blitz in the United Kingdom with bombed-out buildings or the D-Day landings on the beach of Normandy, where the Allied armies found victory. However, the war's effects were felt deeply across the Atlantic and back home on Canadian soil. This exhibit highlights the resiliency of Canadians navigating their way through the revival of the economy after a decade of despair. The increase in the population of foreign workers and growth in both industrial and agricultural industries reshaped its economy and society.
However, we can not discuss the events of World War II without addressing the events across the ocean, as Canada was a significant player in WWII, making substantial contributions to the war effort. The exhibit will explore Canada’s substantial contributions during the 1943-1945 Italian Campaign and the Invasion of Sicily, focusing on public opinion.
Lastly, Canada, a young nation, was progressing and becoming more influential through the darkness of war. But who was Canada? And what would they become? Although this exhibit will analyze many components of Canada during WWII, such as economics, war contributions and nationality, many of these elements will overlap within a single artifact. This exhibit invites you to explore these complex and interconnected themes, revealing how Canada’s wartime experiences—both at home and overseas—shaped the country we know today.