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Unit
4
Canada and World War I
1914-1919
T
oday, we still call World War I “the Great War.”
Never before were so many lives lost on the battlefields. Never before were so many countries all
over the world involved in total war. This war was waged
on land, at sea, and in the air. It involved vast numbers of
soldiers, but it also had a dramatic effect on the lives of
ordinary people. Memories of death and hardship from
this war haunted people for years afterwards.
World War I involved 30 countries, including Canada
and the United States. It shook the foundations of every
country and all people caught up in it. When the war
ended in 1918, the map of Europe had changed
dramatically. For the Canadian war veterans and people
at home, life was never the same again.
In Canada, the economy boomed during the war. The
country also gained a greater degree of independence and
sense of nationhood. But the loss of lives was a high cost.
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Unit
4 Timeline
1914 -
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo
World War I begins
Britain declares war on Germany
Canada is also automatically at war
1915 -
German U-boat sinks the British luxury liner Lusitania
Gas attack at Ypres
1916 -
Battle of the Somme
Canadian women win the right to vote in Manitoba;
Saskatchewan and Alberta also grant women the right
to vote
1917 -
Canadians capture Vimy Ridge
Battle at Passchendaele
Halifax Explosion
Conscription crisis
United States enters the war
Wartime Elections Act passes
1918 -
Women gain the right to vote in federal elections
Canadian Roy Brown shoots down Germany’s Red Baron
Germany surrenders at 11:00 a.m. on 11 November
Focusing In!
After studying this unit, you will be able to answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
288
What were the major causes of World War I? Why was Canada involved in this war?
Why was trench warfare such a horrible experience for the soldiers in World War I?
What contributions did Canadian forces make in the major battles of the war?
What role did Canadians play in air warfare?
How did Canada participate in the war at sea?
What were some of the technological developments in the war?
How did ordinary Canadians participate in the war effort?
How did World War I permanently change conditions for women?
What were the major effects of World War I on Canada?
What were the contributions of war veterans to Canada and world peace?
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Chapter
18 War Breaks Out!
Murder at Sarajevo
Time: Sunday morning, 28 June 1914
Place: Sarajevo, a sleepy little town in
Austria-Hungary
Event: Important visit of the Archduke Franz
Ferdinand and the Archduchess Sophia. The
archduke is to become the emperor of all
Austria-Hungary.
10:00 a.m.
The royal couple drives toward the town hall
in a four-car motorcade. Suddenly, someone
throws a bomb. The bomb explodes against the
hood of the limousine, but the archduke is not
hurt. At the town hall the archduke complains
angrily to the mayor, “I come here on a visit
and get bombs thrown at me. It is outrageous!”
Both the mayor and the chief of police assure
the archduke there will be no more danger.
a Serbian terrorist group known as the Black
Hand. Their plan was to murder the archduke
and then to commit suicide.
Later that day
A friend of the assassin sends a message in
code to the Serbian capital. It reads,
“Excellent sale of both horses.” Members of
the Black Hand in Serbia know exactly what
this code means. What they could not know
was the terrible effect those two shots would
have on world history.
Minutes later
The motorcade moves on to the governor’s
palace. Suddenly, a 19-year-old, Gavrilo
Princip, steps up to the car. He fires two shots
from a pistol at pointblank range. The first
shot hits the archduke in the throat. The second shot hits Sophia in the stomach. Franz
Ferdinand, blood pouring from his mouth,
sees that his wife is wounded. “Sophia,” he
cries, “don’t die! Keep alive
for our children.” Both Franz
Predicting
1. How do you think Austria-Hungary will react to the murder
Ferdinand and Sophia die on
of the archduke who was to become their emperor?
the way to the hospital.
2. What action do you think Austria-Hungary will take
The assassin, Gavrilo
against Serbia and the Black Hand?
Princip, quickly swallows
3.
How
might these actions affect the countries around
poison, but the poison fails
Austria-Hungary
and Serbia?
to work. Police immediately
4. How might people in Canada react? If you lived in
round up Princip and five
Canada at that time, how would you react?
others. They are members of
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Unit 4: Canada and World War I, 1914-1919
The Road to War
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the flashpoint that led to World War I. But there were many
other factors brewing that contributed to the outbreak
of war.
Nationalism and Terrorism
Great Britain
(including Canada)
20th
• By the early
century, nationalism
(a deep feeling of loyalty to one’s
homeland) was causing problems
between nations.
• In the small country of Serbia, extreme
nationalists formed a terrorist organization called the Black Hand.
• Many Serbs lived in Bosnia, a province
under Austrian control. Black Hand
nationalists wanted to free all Serbs in
Bosnia so they could live united in
their own country of Serbia.They were
prepared to take violent action.
• Austria refused to let Bosnia break
away from its empire.
Triple Entente
(the “Allies”)
Russia
France
Rivals for Colonies
• Many European countries were trying to gain
control of lands away from the homeland.
These lands, or colonies, were sources of
great wealth, power, and glory.This desire to
build huge worldwide empires was known as
imperialism.
• Britain had the largest empire, including
Canada. France and Russia also had
colonies in various parts of the world.
But by the time Germany wanted to build an
empire, there were few valuable territories
left.
• Competition for colonies led to conflicts
among the European powers all over the globe.
Austria-Hungary
Triple Alliance
(the “Central
Powers”)
Italy
Germany
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Chapter 18:War Breaks Out!
291
Military Rivals
• European nations were in an arms race. Each country was trying to build bigger and
better battleships, cannons, explosives, etc.They believed that whoever had the strongest
army and navy would be the most powerful.
• The arms race caused suspicion and alarm among nations. Britain was especially concerned when Germany started building a huge navy. Britain depended on its navy to
protect its vast empire.
FINLAND
EUROPE 1914
0
NORWAY
500 km
250
SWEDEN
GREAT
BRITAIN
DENMARK
NETHERLANDS
RUSSIA
London
Atlantic Ocean
Berlin
BELGIUM
Paris
GERMANY
LUX.
FRANCE
SWITZERLAND
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
SPAIN
N
Sarajevo
LY
ITA
PO
RT
U
GA
L
BOSNIAHERZEGOVINA
ROMANIA
SERBIA
MONTENEGRO
BULGARIA
✹
ALBANIA
GREECE
Mediterranean Sea
Dangerous Alliances
• In 1914, the countries of Europe were already
divided into two hostile camps known as the
Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance.
• Each group had tried to find other countries to
be its allies (friends who would support them)
in case of future wars.
• If trouble broke out between two nations, these
alliance systems could pull many more countries
into the conflict.
Flashpoint
Assassinati
on of Archdu
ke
Ferdinand by
Gavrilo Princ
ip,
Serbian mem
ber of
the Black Ha
nd,
28 June 191
4
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Unit 4: Canada and World War I, 1914-1919
The Final Steps to War
When Gavrilo Princip fired those two fateful
shots on 28 June 1914, the assassination set off
a chain reaction of events. Within a few weeks,
the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente were
dragged into a world war. This timeline shows
28 June
what happened on those last few eventful days
between 28 June and 4 August 1914.
By 4 August 1914, all the countries of the
two alliances, except Italy, were at war. World
War I had begun!
Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the deaths of the archduke and his wife.
Austria sent Serbia an ultimatum, a strongly worded threat. If Serbia did not
crush the Black Hand, Austria threatened to declare war. Serbia seemed as if it
was refusing to accept the ultimatum.
26 July
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
Serbia asked Russia for help. Russia started to get its armies ready to help Serbia.
France started to get its armies ready to help Russia.
Germany felt threatened when its two neighbours, Russia and France, began
moving their huge armies.
1 August
Germany declared war on Russia.
2 August
Germany declared war on France.
Germany attacked France by going through Belgium, a neutral country (one that
didn’t take sides) friendly with Britain.
4 August
Britain declared war on Germany because it had attacked Belgium. Canada, as part
of the British empire, was automatically at war too.
Skill Building: Using Maps as Visual Organizers
Why do we need maps? A map organizes information into a clear picture. Like a picture, a good
map is worth a thousand words.We use maps
for many different purposes. Road maps or a
sketch map can tell us how to get to a place we
want to go.Television broadcasts flash maps to
show where important news stories are taking
place in other parts of the world. Maps can tell
us anything from the weather to where the
world’s rainforests are disappearing.
How are maps important in history? If you
were living in Canada in 1914 when World War I
broke out, you would have little idea of where
Serbia was. In 1914, many Canadians turned to
maps in newspapers to discover where battles
and events were taking place.
What Makes a Good Map?
A map represents the earth or part of the earth
drawn smaller than it really is.The key to a good
map is knowing exactly what information you
want to present and how to show it clearly.
Suppose you work for a newspaper in 1914 and
you have to create a map showing the European
countries that belonged to the Triple Entente and
the Triple Alliance in 1914. Like all maps, your
map needs the following important elements.
Title
The title of a map should describe the area the
map covers. It should also summarize the information the map presents.Why would “Europe”
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Chapter 18:War Breaks Out!
be a poor title for your map? What would a
better title be?
Direction
Direction is shown by a compass. Most maps
are drawn with north at the top. If north is at
the top, then you know south is in the opposite
direction, east is to the right, and west is to
the left.Try this. Look at the map on page 291.
What direction is Russia from Germany?
What direction is France from Germany? What
direction is Serbia from Austria-Hungary?
Scale
A map is drawn to scale.This means that a small
distance on a map stands for a much larger distance on the earth. A scale is like a special kind
of ruler to use with a map.You can measure the
approximate distance between two places using
the scale on your map.
Look at the map on page 291. Place a piece of
paper with a straight edge on the map so that it
touches both London and Berlin. Mark the locations on your paper.This is the distance between
these two cities. Now measure this distance
using the scale shown on the map.
Key or Legend
Information can be placed on maps using symbols. Map symbols are marks, lines, and colours
that stand for real things on the surface of the
earth. On a political map, such as a map of
Europe, colour is often used to indicate different
provinces, states, regions, or countries.We tell what
the symbols represent in a legend on the map.
Now you’re ready to create your map.
Try It!
1. Start with a blank outline map of Europe that
shows the countries as they were in 1914.This is
called a political map. It should include direction
and a scale.
293
2. Locate and label the following countries on
your map of Europe: Britain, Germany, Italy,
France, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Serbia,
Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and Russia.
3. Which three countries belonged to the Triple
Entente? Use one colour to shade in these
countries.
4. Which three countries belonged to the Triple
Alliance? Use another colour to shade in these
countries.
5. Which European countries did not belong to
either alliance system? Leave these countries in
white.
6. Add a legend to the map. In the legend, label
the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, and
beside each mark the colour you have used to
identify these alliance systems.
7. Give your map a title.
8. Review your map. People looking at your
map should have a clear picture of the alliance
systems in Europe in 1914. Exchange your map
with a classmate and have your partner check
to make sure your map is clear, accurate, and
complete.
What Can You Learn?
1. When the Triple Entente was formed,
Germany complained that it was being surrounded. Examine your map.Was Germany right?
2. As the war began, countries rushed troops
to protect their borders with rival nations. Based
on this information, highlight on your map where
you predict the major battle lines will be.These
major battle lines became known as the Western
and Eastern Fronts.
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Unit 4: Canada and World War I, 1914-1919
Fast Forward
Serbia and
Bosnia-Herzegovina Today
Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are part of a
region in Europe called the Balkans. In the
late 1990s, this region was still a hot spot,
torn by war and unrest. Canadian troops have
served on peacekeeping missions in the area.
Keep an eye on current news reports to find
out what is going on in the Balkans today.
Canada at War!
In Canada, the giant headline on the front page
of newspapers across the country announced
the news: WAR! When Britain declared war on
Germany, Canada and the other countries of
the British empire were automatically at war
too. At that time, the British colonies such as
Canada were not independent nations. They
could not declare war on their own. As part of
the British empire, Canadians sang the British
national anthem, fought under the British flag,
and followed the decisions of the British government in the war.
Most Canadians enthusiastically supported
Canada’s involvement in the war. Wilfrid Laurier
clearly stated, “When Britain is at war, Canada
is at war also.” Even Henri Bourassa, the French
Canadian nationalist, agreed that it was Canada’s
duty “to contribute to the combined efforts of
France and England.” In Montréal, both French
and English Canadians linked arms in the street
and sang “La Marseillaise,” the French national
anthem, and the patriotic song “Rule Britannia.”
When war was declared, the call went out
for volunteers to go and fight. Government
recruiting offices were flooded with volunteers.
Young men were willing to sign up for a private’s pay of $1 a day. Many were teenagers
who lied about their age to get in. Some were
as young as 14 or 15. Two soldiers recalled:
I saw all my friends going and I said,‘Gee, it’s
up to me to go too.’ My Dad, was he ever
mad. I enlisted, then told him. But after, he
was proud as a peacock. Mother was quite
worried, but she was quiet about it.
My brother had enlisted and he made it
sound like a nice life. I figured, well, it will
be a change. I would get overseas to see the
world. I had no intention of ever getting
killed. I was out for a trip. When I was on
the train to Nova Scotia, I got quite lonesome and wished I had not joined.
People thought the war would be short,
glorious, and full of adventure. There was also a
saying that everyone had to “do his bit.” Everyone wanted to make a contribution to the war
effort and do his or her duty for the country.
Feelings of patriotism were strong. But who
could have known that the war would last
four years and involve almost half a million
Canadians before peace returned to the world?
The British empire in the early 1900s included
territories all over the globe.When Britain
declared war on Germany, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, India, Burma, Malaya, South
Africa and other parts of Africa, the East and
West Indies, and islands in the Pacific were all
part of the British empire and were therefore
involved in the war.
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Chapter 18:War Breaks Out!
295
In the House of Commons on 19th August 1914, Canada’s Prime
Minister, Sir Robert Borden, made the following statement.
In the awful dawn of the greatest war the world has ever
known, in the hour when peril confronts us such as this Empire
has not faced for a hundred years . . . all are agreed: we stand
shoulder to shoulder with Britain and the other British dominions in this quarrel. And that duty we shall not fail to fulfil as
the honour of Canada demands.
Not for love of battle, not for lust of conquest, not for
greed of possessions, but for the cause of honour, to maintain
solemn pledges, to uphold principles of liberty, to withstand
forces that would convert the world into an armed camp; yea, in
the very name of peace . . .we have entered into this war.
Canadian soldiers set off to fight. Most went in
an upbeat mood. People believed the war would
be over by Christmas 1914. An observer
remembered watching the 101st regiment leave.
A little girl was saying goodbye to her father.The
soldier bent over and kissed his daughter and
then jumped onto the train. As the train pulled
out of the station, the little girl cried in a loud
voice, “Daddy, come back soon.”
Fast Forward
Sooner or later most new soldiers found
themselves at Valcartier, the military camp
near Québec City.They trained here for a
few weeks before being sent overseas. Most
young men had no military experience and
the equipment they were given was often in
poor shape.The Ross rifle they carried was
actually a sporting gun. It proved a very poor
weapon in combat and constantly jammed.
But in the early days of the war, the troops
were in high spirits.
Canada and the British Empire
Today, nations that belonged to the
British empire at the time of World War I
have gained their independence.
Queen Elizabeth II of England is still
Canada’s official “Head of State” and the
Governor General is her representative in
Canada, but the British government has no
power over Canadian affairs. The Canadian
government makes its own decisions to
declare war or support one side or the
other in any global conflicts.
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Unit 4: Canada and World War I, 1914-1919
Civics &
Society
Who Went to War in 1914?
lmost all Canadians who
went to war in 1914 were
volunteers. Most of those who
enlisted first were of British
heritage. Young soldiers from
across the land and from
many different walks of life
showed great courage. Tommy
Ricketts from Newfoundland
was the youngest man to win
the Victoria Cross for bravery.
He was 14 years old when he
joined the army in 1916. In a
battle in 1917, he managed to
manoeuvre around enemy gunners on his own and helped his
A
unit capture the German position without casualties.
By the end of the war,
Canadians from many different
backgrounds had fought and
distinguished themselves.
Aboriginal people did not have
the rights of full citizens in
Canada in 1914. Nevertheless,
many Aboriginal soldiers went
to France with the first wave of
troops. Over 4000 Aboriginals
and many Métis served in World
War I. Among them was Patrick
Riel, a grandson of Louis Riel.
Patrick Riel was killed at Vimy
This photo shows Aboriginal members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force with their elders.
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Chapter 18:War Breaks Out!
Ridge. Another Aboriginal
soldier who distinguished
himself was Francis
Pegahamagabow, an
Ojibway from Parry Island
in Ontario. When he went
off to fight, he took along a
medicine bag presented to
him by an elder. “Peg,” as
he was known to his comrades, won military medals
for his skill and courage as
a scout and expert shot. He
was the most decorated
Aboriginal soldier in World
War I.
African Canadians who
Tommy Ricketts
wanted to fight overseas
faced resistance and racism. Some people,
including politicians, believed Blacks did not
have the right to fight. They opposed Black
enlistment in the army. Some African
Canadians, however, managed to break through
the barriers. One, Jerry Jones, served in France.
He wiped out a machine gun post at Vimy
297
Ridge, killing seven and
capturing six enemy soldiers. His hometown
newspaper in Truro, Nova
Scotia, celebrated Jones
as a brave and resourceful patriot. Jerry Jones
was wounded later in the
war at Passchendaele.
1. How did each of the
individuals mentioned
above show courage?
How do you feel
about their actions
and experiences?
2. Find out more about other individuals or
groups who went to war in 1914. How did
they contribute to the war?
3. Imagine you are a Black or Aboriginal person
living in Canada in 1914.You want to join the
troops.What obstacles might you run into?
How might fellow soldiers relate to you?
How would you deal with the situation?
In 1916, the Department of Militia and Defence authorized the formation of the No. 2
Construction Batallion in Pictou, Nova Scotia. It was the first African Canadian unit.This
unit contributed to the war effort by specializing in logging, milling, and shipping.
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Unit 4: Canada and World War I, 1914-1919
Activities
Understanding Concepts
1. Add these new terms to your Factfile.
nationalism
Black Hand
imperialism
Triple Entente
Triple Alliance
allies
arms race
ultimatum
patriotism
2. a) Explain why countries make allies.
b) Which countries belonged to the Triple Alliance in 1914?
c) Which countries belonged to the Triple Entente in 1914?
3. a) Explain why an arms race developed in Europe in the early years of this
century.What effects did it have?
b) How did the race for colonies around the world cause problems?
c) How did Serbian and Austrian nationalism lead to conflict?
4. What position did Laurier and Borden take on the war? Make a list of the
arguments they gave for Canadians going to war.
5. How did ordinary Canadians react when war was declared? Why?
6. Suggest why a boy would lie about his age to get into the army.
Digging Deeper
7. CHECK PREDICTIONS Go back to the predictions you made at the beginning
of this chapter (page 289).Were your predictions right? Did anything surprise
you? Why?
8. THINK Why did the system of alliances make countries feel safer? At the same
time, how did alliances make a major war more likely?
9. RESEARCH Look up newspapers of August and September 1914. How was the
outbreak of war being reported in the Canadian papers? Make a collage of
some major headlines and articles.
10. ROLE PLAY In groups, discuss reasons why Canada was involved in World War I
and why so many Canadians signed up to go and fight.Then imagine you could
interview ordinary Canadians in 1914 about their reactions to the war.
Assign roles in your group (interviewer, recorder, soldier, nurse, mother of a
young soldier, son or daughter of a soldier going to war, etc.). Brainstorm a few
key questions and then role play the interviews. Have the recorder note some
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Chapter 18:War Breaks Out!
interesting quotations from people. Create a poster or bulletin board display
titled “Reactions from Canadians in 1914” or record an audiotape.
11. MAPWORK Use your resource centre to find a map of the British empire in
the early 20th century. List the continents on which Britain had colonies. Make
a note of the countries Canada was fighting beside in World War I on behalf of
the British empire.
Making New Connections
12. CURRENT EVENTS Nationalism, competition for territory, military rivalry, and
alliances were all major factors that led to World War I. In groups, discuss the
meaning of these factors.Then go through the international news sections of
one or two national newspapers or magazines and find examples of events or
places where these factors still exist in the world today. Clip an article that is
an example of each factor.
13. INVESTIGATE/LISTEN Find a recording of the patriotic song “Rule Britannia,”
the popular song “Tipperary,” or the tune by Canadian composer Morris
Manley called “Good Luck to the Boys of the Allies.” Listen to the recordings.
Decide why these songs are patriotic.What do they tell you about the mood
of people who sang them when war was declared in 1914?
14. DISCUSS Nationalism was very strong at the beginning of the 20th century.
Would you say nationalism is strong in Canada today? How do Canadians
express their nationalism? Discuss these questions.
15. CLASS SURVEY Do a class survey to find the answers to the following questions:Would you be willing to go to war for Canada? Under what circumstances, if any? Discuss the results.
16. WRITE/CREATE You are a foreign correspondent in Europe.You have been
sent to report on the visit of the Archduke Ferdinand to Sarajevo in 1914.
Write the news bulletin you would telegraph home following the events of 28
June 1914. Include the effects you believe this event will have on the world.
Write your bulletin from the point of view of one of the following:
a) a Canadian reporter
b) a reporter for a Serbian national newspaper
c) a reporter for an Austrian-Hungarian newspaper
d) a member of the Black Hand writing for an underground newspaper
You could work with a partner to include a sketch of the event.
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