The Great War
When Britain is at war, Canada is at war,± Laurier had said in 1910 (Morton 1, p.130). Canada, being part of the British Empire, was allied with Britain during the Great War. Thus, as soon as Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was automatically involved. When the Great War broke out in 1914, Canada was a much different country than it is today. At that time, Canada had a population of just over eight million people, most of them immigrants. Still, more than 650,000 men, most of them were British born, signed up to fight overseas due to their strong ties with Britain (The First World War±). However, the Great War had resulted in having many changes in Canada. The Great War changed Canada by finding Canada's independence, recognition and rights of women. To begin with, the Great War changed Canada by finding Canada's independence. Although Canada had been independent from Britain for almost 50 years by 1914, it still had very strong ties with the British Empire (Toby). The war, however, propelled Canada towards an independent position in the world. In 1914, Canadians had gone to war as Imperials in the British Army, but by 1917, they were members in spirit and law of a Canadian army (Morton 3, p.6
By the League of Nations founded in 1919, Canada became a member in its own right and got its own voice in the world (Bliss, p. The war brought major changes in the expectations of Canadians. As a result, the Great War created an atmosphere of change and expectation for women and lead women to obtain their right to be involved in running the country which confirms to be a momentous change in Canada. It was the first time the Canadians attacked together, and they achieved a magnificent victory, sweeping the Germans off the ridge (Morton 3, p. By April 14 they had gained more ground, more guns, and more prisoners than any previous British offensive had done (Roy). It showed how Canadians were successful as its own nation, as an independent nation. This, the women's right to vote gained during the war, lead to the further step; a Women's War Conference was called by the federal government in 1918 to discuss the continuing role of women, who took the opportunity to raise a number of political issues, including suffrage (Anderson). By the end of the war, the Board had produced cargo ships, aircraft, chemicals, and explosives, in addition to millions of artillery shells (Morton 3, p. Another, the Great War changed Canada by gaining Canada's recognition, however, also by gaining Canadian women's rights proved the war to be a Canada's turning point. Sir Robert Borden, the prime minister during the war, wrote to a friend, It can hardly be expected that we shall put 400 000 or 500 000 men in the field and willingly accept the position of having no more voice and receiving no more consideration than if we were toy automata. Also, Canada's ability to run war industries successfully showed the world the capableness of Canada.
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