Canada and World War 1
(1914-1918
Major Causes
Nationalism – patriotism to one’s country
- people of the same heritage wanted to be
united
Imperialism – to spread one’s beliefs
- acquiring colonies for resources, markets
and prestige
Major Causes cont’d
Militarism – to build up one’s army and
navy
System of Alliances – to have common
allies in times of war and peace
Opposing Sides at the Start
(1914)
Triple Entente
vs
Triple Alliance
(Allies)
(Central Powers)
- England
- Germany
- France
- Austria-Hungary
- Russia
- Italy (switched
to the Allied side in 1915)
- Ottoman Empire
(Turkish Empire) and Bulgaria join the Central
Powers after the war started; U.S. Forces joined
the Allies in 1916
Immediate Causes
1. Killing of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife
Sophia on June 28 – 1914 (he was the next heir
in line to the Austria-Hungarian throne)
- murder occurred in the city of Sarajevo
in Serbia
- caused a ripple event
- A/H blamed Serbia for the killing – Russia said
that it would aid Serbia if A/H attacked
Immediate Causes Cont’d
2. Germany saw an opportunity to expand its
territory by attacking France by going
through neutral Belgium – Aug. 3, 1914
3. Britain came to Belgium’s rescue on Aug.
4, 1914
- the two major alliances were now pulled
into war with one another
Events of the War
Two Front War – Eastern and Western
Mainly a stalemate until 1916 – no real
gains/ heavy use of trench warfare
Equipment introduced – poison chlorine
gas, tanks, planes, submarines
Famous Battles – Ypres (gas), the Somme
(tanks), Vimy Ridge
Results
Nov. 11, 1918 – Armistice signed
Treaty of Versailles
- June 28 – 1919
- between allies with Germany
- Germany was blamed for the war
League of Nations was formed – for
collective security and peace
Results Cont’d
Rise of Fascism and Communism
Millions dead
Unbelievable costs – land, resources, etc.
Leads to WW2
Effects of the War on Canada
60,000 Canadians were lost in the war
178,000 wounded
Many historians claim that Canada became a true
nation during WW1
Victories and brave deeds developed national
pride
Canadians began to think of themselves less as
British subjects and more as Canadians
In the war, the world began to recognize Canada
as an independent country