Canada in the First World War
Introduction (page 63)
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European countries had been building up their empires and armed forces since the late 1800’s
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Canadians believed the war would be a short and glorious struggle
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Canada faced two challenges: mobilize an army and create a war effort at home that would
support their troops
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Canada gained respect regarding their bravery and skill during WWI
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Canada’s economy and society also changed
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Canada experienced problems between the French and English which continued for years
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Canada became a more independent nation as a result of WWI
3.1
On the Eve of War (pages 64-68)
The Alliance System
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There was tension in Europe in the late 1800’s: national rivalries, increasing struggle for military
power and memories of previous conflicts
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Countries formed alliances to keep other countries from becoming more powerful
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Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy
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Triple Entente (Allies): Great Britain, France, and Russia
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Entente means a friendly understanding
Assassination and War
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There was conflict in the Balkans (southeast Europe)
The Slavs wanted their independence – areas of Bosnia, Herzegovina and especially Serbia (who
was leading the cause for Slavic nationalism)
Russia was mostly a Slavic country who shared a common religion and similar language with Serbia
Russia supported Serbia’s efforts
Austria-Hungary was against Serbia’s effort
Austria-Hungary wanted to expand south; Russia wanted to expand west. Serbia was caught in the
middle
Serbia was afraid of Austria-Hungary and asked for Russia’s protection if needed
On June 28, 1914, a Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the
Austro-Hungarian throne), and his wife Sophia at Sarajevo
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia
Russia began to mobilize in support of Serbia
With the Alliance system all the major powers entered the war
Strategies of War
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The German offensive was called the Schlieffen Plan (Alfred von Schlieffen – a general in the
German Army)
The plan called for a quick attack on France while Austria-Hungary attacked Serbia
The Germans thought that they could take France and then turn their attention to Russia
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The Germans believed that the Russian army was ill-equipped to move quickly or put up a strong
resistance
Their plan failed for several reasons:
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When Germany invaded Belgium, the British troops moved into Belgium to help the French
forces, as a result they were able to stop the German advances
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The Austrian troops found resistance in Serbia; they weren’t to control that country until
1915 when Bulgaria came to their assistance
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Adding to Germany and Austria’s problems was the attack by Russian forces on the
eastern border of Austria-Hungary
This war would be a long war of attrition (the wearing down of the enemy); there were large
casualties on land, in the air and on the seas with few major victories