World War 1 How things unfolded •  The Assassina6on of Archduke caused big problems. •  Austria-­‐Hungary wanted Jus6ce •  Austria-­‐Hungary claimed that the Serbian gov’t was protec6ng and helping the black hand. •  Serbian Gov’t said it wasn’t How things unfolded •  Austria-­‐Hungary demanded to go into Serbia and see for itself that Serbia Gov’t wasn’t protec6ng the Black Hand. •  Serbian Gov’t refused Austria-­‐Hungary’s entry •  Serbia refused because they were scared Austria-­‐Hungary may take over their land. Things Happen Quickly! •  July 28, 1914 – Austria-­‐Hungary declares war on Serbia. •  Serbia asked Russia for help. •  France got ready to help Russia because both coun6es were friends and part of the Triple Entente. Germany starts war with Russia August 1 •  August 1st – Felt in danger because of its loca6on. France was on one side of Germany, Russia on the other, and both countries were arming for war. Germany declared war on France August 3rd •  As a result of Germany declaring war on France and invaded Belgium – This causes Britain to become involved in the war. •  August 4th – Britain declared war on Germany because it had aQacked Belgium •  As a result, France, England, and Russia (the Allies) were now united in war against Germany and Austria-­‐Hungary (the Central Powers) Timeline – Things happened Fast •  June 28, 1914 – Archduke assassina6on •  July 28, 1914 – Austria-­‐Hungary declared war on Serbia •  1 August – Germany declared war on Russia •  3 August – Germany declared war on France •  4 August – Britain declared war on Germany Canada & Newfoundland •  Once England had declared war other members of the Bri6sh Empire agreed to help out. •  Canada & Newfoundland responded with great Enthusiasm!!! Canada & NFLD Join the War •  In less then two months a\er Britain’s declara6on of War….30,000 Canadian soldiers, 8000 horses were training for war. •  Newfoundland had about 1000 men signed up. Who Enlisted? •  In order to enlist as a soldier, you had to be a male Bri6sh ci6zen and in good health. •  Age – Between 18-­‐45 (this rule was o\en ignored) •  Some as young as 14 years of age enlisted Who Enlisted? •  People of Bri6sh heritage made up the largest percentage of the Canadian popula6on. As a result – they had the largest number of volunteers. •  Most of the Bri6sh volunteers had a strong Bri6sh heritage or were recent immigrants. Who Enlisted? •  Several thousand women from Canada and Newfoundland volunteered to go into baQle to nurse wounded soldiers and drive vehicles. •  By the 6me the war ended more then 600,000 men and women had served. First Na6ons, Inuit, & Me6s Volunteers •  Were considered Bri6sh subjects and could serve in the war, but s6ll could not vote as they were not considered ci6zens. •  About 33% of eligible First Na6ons, Inuit, and Me6s chose to enlist •  Gov’t o\en discriminated against Aboriginal soldiers. First Na6ons •  A\er the war they did not receive the same veterans benefits as other soldiers. •  Veteran – a person who served in the war French-­‐Canadian Volunteers •  French-­‐Canadian volunteers weren’t sure about Canada’s par6cipa6on in WW1 •  O\en faced discrimina6on when they enlisted. •  Start of the war – there are no French-­‐
language BaQalions African-­‐Canadian Volunteers •  Start of war – Gov’t made it almost impossible for Black Canadians to join. •  Some Gov’t officials said it would be an insult to white soldiers to allow Blacks to join. •  Some Blacks campaigned for the right to defend the empire. African-­‐Canadian Volunteers •  1916 – an all-­‐Black baQalion was formed. This included 500 men form N.S and 460 men from other parts of Canada •  The military made sure that the commander was white. Volunteers from Newfoundland •  Remember – NFLD did not join Confedera6on un6l 1949. •  Approximately 35 per cent of all NFLD men between the ages of 19 and 35 joined the war effort. •  Overall rate of enlistment for Canada was approximately 31 per cent (1 in 3 people)