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UNIT 2: WORLD WAR IThe Battle Overseas & The Homefront
World War I The Great War, later known as World War I, was
fought between August 1914 and November 1918
It was fought mostly in Europe, but there were
also battles in the Atlantic & Pacific oceans and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East
It is estimated that over 10 million people lost their lives in this war
Who Was Involved? In the early 1900s, countries in Europe such as Britain,
Germany, Russia, France, Austria-Hungary and Italy constantly struggled for power and wealth Caused conflicts along their borders and in their colonies Caused tension and hostility Began strengthening their armed forces and seeking out alliances
with other European countries protect themselves!
Triple Alliance - Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy
Triple Entente - Britain, France and Russia
The countries in these alliances agreed that an attack on any ally would be treated as an attack on them all.
Causes of the Great War
Nationalism A century ago, Europeans felt great pride in
their own nations - called nationalism
Brought forth strong feelings of loyalty and devotion
For example: many Canadians were immigrants from Britain and, particularly during times of war, felt strong ties and loyalty to Britain.
Causes cont…
Imperialism Result of fierce competition between powerful
countries in Europe
They sent out explorers and soldiers to claim colonies throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific that made the "mother country" look more impressive
This policy of extending a country's rule over other countries or territories is called imperialism.
Causes cont…The Arms Race There was no organization to solve disputes between competing nations
back in the early 1900s (we have the U.N. now)
European nations kept armies ready in case they wanted to settle disputes by force
As tensions grew, so did the size of these nations' military power
Here are some numbers for armed forces in European countries in 1914 Germany: 2.2 million soldiers, 97 warships Austria-Hungary: 810,000 soldiers, 28 warships Italy: 750,000 soldiers, 36 warships France: 1.125 million soldiers, 62 warships Russia: 1.2 million soldiers, 30 warships Britain: 711,000 soldiers, 185 warships
*countries also built up "standing armies”*trained every healthy young man in case they were needed to boost numbers*Germany had the most reservists (approx. 8.5 mil), but Russia was growing fast (approx. 4.4 mil)
The Spark The spark that “set fire” to the war came during a
parade on June 28, 1914 celebrating the visit of the future king and queen of Austria-Hungary to the city of Sarajevo Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia Chotek
This was an area of unrest in the southwest of Austria-Hungary because nearby Serbia felt that the region should not be part of Austria-Hungary Language and culture were more similar to that of Serbia Most Serbian people living in the region felt the same
way
The Black Hand Several groups began to fight for separation of this region from
Austria-Hungarian rule
One of these groups was called the Black Hand Terrorist Group,
and they planned an attack on the Archduke and his wife
During the parade, the Black Hand struck Threw a bomb into the car, which the Archduke threw back out blowing up
the car behind them and injuring spectators Car then sped away and made a wrong turn down an alley While the driver was trying to turn around, a young man - Gavrilo Princip, a
member of the Black Hand - came at them and killed the royals.
Austria-Hungary demanded that the terrorist be found and turned
over to them. When Serbia refused, Austria-Hungary declared war.
Images for Inspiration
Canada Enters The War! Canada was part of the British Empire in the early
1900sWhen Britain declared war, we were automatically involved
We immediately pledged 25,000 troopsWe only have 3000 regular soldiersSam Hughes (defense minster) sent out telegrams to
recruit as many single, healthy men as possible sent to camp in Valcartier, QC
By Sept. 2, 1914, there were 32,000 men waiting for training at Valcartier
Canada cont… Troops from Newfoundland and Canada
spent the winter preparing for battle
Landed in France & Belgium by Sept. 1915
Why did so many Canadians join?British loyaltyPosters gave sense of heroism & obligationWages and three meals a dayThought war would be over quickly
Recruitment Posters In order to get enough men to fulfill the promise of
sending 25,000 troops, Canada started a campaign with propaganda posters
Trench Warfare Trenches were dug so soldiers could protect
themselves against the new weapons technologies of WWI
They were dangerous and dirty places, full of rats, lice, disease and infectionMost common problem was trenchfoot
Soldiers had to learn how to eat, sleep, fight and survive against the adversities in the trenches
Trenches cont…
Placed in bottom of trench to help with moisture deal with trenchfoot
Wire tangles used to help stall enemies from getting to trenches
Trenches cont…
1. Communication Trench2. Machine Gun Nest3. Underground Bunker4. Traverse5. Wire Break6. Listening Post+ Trench Block
There would usually be 1 or 2 more support
trenches between the first support trench and
the artillery line
Life in the Trenches
Important Battles There was fighting happening both on the
Germany-Russia border as well as in France and BelgiumCanadian’s were involved mostly at the Western Front
in France and Belgium
There are four battles that Canada and Newfoundland were important contributorsYpres – April 1915 (pronounced “ee-pray”)
Somme – July 1916Vimy Ridge – April 1917Passchendaele – November 1917 (pronounced “passion-dale”)
The War at Sea Britain and Germany were in an arms race to build the biggest navy before the
war started in 1914. Germany invested ships called "unterseeboots" (U-boats) Britain invested in battleships called "Dreadnoughts" (fear nothing)
Germany felt Britain could be beaten if food and weapons could be stopped from reaching the island and declared unrestricted submarine warfare Any ship approaching Britain would be sunk without warning More than 1000 ships were sunk
To protect themselves, the allies used two main methods: Convoys - groups of ships under the protection of an escort destroyer or cruiser Q-ships - military decoy ships disguised as innocent supply ships
Britain also used its battleships to block trading ships from entering German ports This is called a naval blockade It was so effective that food shortages occurred in Germany, affecting both the army
and the civilians.
The Tide Changes In 1917, two events tilted the war in favour of the allies:
Russian Revolution○ after three years of war, the Russian people were hungry and tired
○ In 1917, they revolted, overthrowing Czar Nicholas and surrendered to Germany
The sinking of American merchant ships bringing supplies to Britain○ The United States angered and the entered war on the allies side
○ Germany immediately withdrew their troops from the Eastern Front and launched a major attack in the west, trying to defeat the allies before American troops could land
○ Through successful at first, the Germans were stopped just before Paris
The Last Hundred Days After the German attack was stopped, the Allies decided to counterattack
and take advantage of the weakened German army
Using an improved invention, the tank, the Allies (reinforced by newly arrived American soldiers) smashed through the German lines
Canadians played an important role, winning several battles and defeating 1/4 of the German army The cost was high - 48,000 casualties (9,000 dead)
By November, the Allies were almost at the borders of Germany Germany and Austria-Hungary looked for a negotiated peace On November 11, 1918 at 11:00am, the war ended with a signing of a ceasefire -
or armistice
Last Shot Fired - as Canadian troops were marching through a town in Belgium, a German sniper was waiting. At 10:55am on November 11, 1918, the last Canadian soldier was killed (Private James Price)
Cost of WarAlliance System + allies
Total # in War
Killed & Died
Wounded Prisoners & Missing
Total Casualties
Triple Entente
42,188,810 5,152,115 12,831,004 4,121,090 22,104,209
Triple Alliance
22,850,000 3,386,200 8,388,448 3,629,829 15,404,477
52% of allied forced sent to war were killed. 57% of our enemies died too!!
TE: $125,690,477,000TA: $ 60,643,160,000
Canadian StatisticsKilled Died of
WoundsDied at Sea
Missing Died of disease, etc
Wounded Gassed Injured
34, 925 11, 260 133 4,430 7,796 126,595 11,572 38,784
Treaty of Versailles Peace negotiations that
took place at the palace of Versailles in Paris, France in 1919
Three major powers of the world – Britain, United States & France – decided the fate of Germany after the war
Also formed during these talks was the League of Nations Help keep peace before
disputes end up in war
Treaty of Versailles
What Germany Lost:-10% of all its land
- All its colonies
-12% of its population
-16% of its coalfields
- Half its iron and steel industry
- Most of its army and navy
- All its airforce
Europe After WWI
The Homefront When Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, Prime
Minister Borden issued a bill called the War Measures Act Government had strong powers during war
Limited freedoms of individuals
Government didn’t have to go through regular procedures to make laws
They were allowed to arrest people with charging them
People from enemy countries (“enemy aliens”) could be deported (sent back) to their home countries
Homefront cont… War Measures Act was also used to meet the cost demands of
the war: (cost $1 million PER DAY!) Issued war savings stamps and victory bonds with good interest rates
to be paid back after the war
Canada Food Board was formed to control production and consumption○ People had to ration, hoarding was forbidden
Government censored newspapers to print government propaganda and advertising
Formed Imperial Munitions Board to give contracts to manufacturers for weapons and war equipment productions
Created “temporary” tax of 3% to people with certain income in 1917
Women and the War Women whose husbands were at war received a monthly separation
allowance from the government of $20 regardless of the number of children Was later raised to $25 Barely covered the cost of essentials (food, coal, clothing)
Community based charities were formed to help families: Canadian Patriotic Fund Women’s Patriotic Fund (NFLD)
○ Lead by educated, middle-class women○ They raised millions, but also visited homes to make sure money was being spent properly on
essentials (called them “Nosy Parkers”)
Many still had to rely on relatives or find other ways to raise money even with the support
Average Living Costs per Family Compared to Military Benefits, 1915
Region of Canada Monthly Cost of Living
Gov’t Separation Allowance
Canadian Patriotic Fund
Difference
Atlantic $37.59 $20.00 $13.34 $4.25
Quebec $37.00 $20.00 $16.30 $0.70
Ontario $37.92 $20.00 $17.22 $0.70
Prairies $47.09 $20.00 $22.29 $4.80
British Columbia $53.45 $20.00 $19.79 $13.66
Women and the WarVolunteering Women did a lot of volunteering in other ways to help support families and the
troops Red Cross (making bedding and bandages) Selling baking/crafts to buy tobacco and treats for the soldiers Visiting families supported by the Fund Knitting socks for troops on spare time “Farmerettes” took over many farming duties
Industry over 600 factories were producing munitions by 1917
$2 million controlled product daily when PM Borden took over
women began working in these factories to replace men gone to war lower salary than male counterparts would step aside when soldiers returned from war
Didn’t matter what “class” you came from, everyone did their part to support the war
Women and the WarCanadian Women and the Great War
-1000 worked for the Royal Air Force in Canada
-2000 served as nurses in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
-5000 handled administrative jobs in Canada’s civil service
-30,000 worked in the munitions industry in Canada
-500,000 were employed, mainly in jobs left open by soldiers
Votes for Women Nellie McClung campaigned for women’s votes during
the time of the Great WarPart of the Suffragist Movement“Suffrage” means the right to vote
Because of her work, women were granted the vote in Manitoba in 1916 and by May 1918 they were able to vote in federal elections1916
Man.
Sask.
Alta.
1917
Ont.
B.C.
1918
N.S.
Federal Elections
1919
N.B.
1922
P.E.I.
1925
NFLD
1940
Q.C.
1949
NFLD Aboriginal
men & women
1960
Other Aboriginal
men & women
http://www.historica-dominion.ca/content/heritage-minutes/nellie-mcclung?media_type=41&
Conscription Crisis In 1917, P.M. Borden heard news that the war might last another 3 years
We would need more troops! Already sent 500,000 troops Only 8 million people lived in Canada tough decision Borden would have to use conscription – military service required by law.
Military Service Act passed in summer of 1917; military service compulsory for men between ages of 20 and 45
Newfoundland passed its own Military Service Act in May 1918
There was also an election coming up in 1918, and Borden called upon Canadians to support the decision by re-electing his government
The election was a strong divider of the nation, unlike any other election in Canadian history Some thought voting against conscription was disloyal, even to the point of treason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N5SK1ysBvg