When the war that was supposed to end all wars began in 1914 Canada, still being under the British Empire, was brought into the fight when Britain declared war on Germany and the other Austro-Hungarian empires. Canada's involvement in this war and its ability to support the Allies through production and soldiers would set the stage for greater Canada-European alliances. Before the war, Canada was internationally seen as an extension of the British Empire, but its victories and participation in the war gave its own identity apart from the Empire. Over 600 000 Canadians would serve in the war, with many facing deadly battles in Europe. Many of these battles resulted in a large number of casualties, but despite this, many of these battles such as the battle at Vimy Ridge became a symbol of Canadian unity. As these battles continued and the war dragged on, Canadians back at home were split on the topic of conscription leading to conflicts, especially between French and English Canadians. Political leaders were united at the start of the war, but began to disagree on aspects of Canadian war efforts as the war continued, such as taxation to fund the war. With a growing number of laborers sent abroad, those at home supported the war effort in exporting goods such as wheat, timber and munitions. The need for workers brought women into the workforce in new roles, and this would pave the way for women's suffrage in later years. This exhibit will dive into each of these topics through primary sources such as photos, newspaper articles, war diaries and personal records such as recruitment papers. Through these carefully chosen artifacts, you will explore how the Great War shaped Canadian livelihood both abroad and domestically, as well as Canada's approach to foreign affairs and its distinct place on the world stage.
Bibliography:
Morton, Desmond. "First World War (WWI)." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Last modified November 30, 2023. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-world-war-wwi