In 1918, at the end of World War One, roughly 60 000 Canadians respectfully lost their lives in order for the safekeeping of millions of women, children and men all around the world. Many people question the loss of all these lives and whether or not it had been a beneficial outcome for Canada. Despite the number of soldiers sent into battle, the magnitude of these men’s deaths, and bodies littered throughout the streets, in the present time, where we have a very different perspective on World War One, many Canadians consider the impacts of this event very positive, taking into account social, economic and political standpoints.
WWI helped Canada develop a more equal view on the country’s women, a drastic technological and economic growth, and Canada to become an independent nation from Britain. When looking back it is easy to understand why people view the Great War as the crisis that pushed Canada as a nation to mature. In the 1900’s, a woman’s job was simply to remain at home. A woman on an average day would cook, clean, take care of the children and ensure the wellbeing of her home. Her husband would return from work – receiving his wage, which would in turn go to his household and he would spend a comfortable evening with his family.
However this dramatically changed when Britain had declared war against Germany; women in Canada had eventually replaced the men’s positions – as well as successfully keeping their own. They stepped into their men’s shoes, so to speak, as work in industries, businesses, and farms still needed to be done. Many of these jobs were to provide for the war effort, such as fabricating munitions and working as nurses for the war, both of which were very dangerous. Women also took the roles as farmers and produced much of the food consumed overseas.
This immensely changed the way women were viewed, as now the country would see they are capable of working just as diligently as men. In 1917, Robert Borden, the Prime-Minster during World War One, passed the Wartime Elections Act. This act gave the right to vote to all females in the majority who had husbands, brothers or sons enlisted in the war. Although this was a front for Borden to receive votes in his favour, it was a huge stepping stone in the equality for us women. By the end of the war nearly all the women over 21 were given the right to vote as long as they met the racial and property ownership requirement.
Many Canadians would consider our country’s “ turn of the century” to be WWI; In the years of the war, in-between 1914 to 1918, Canada experienced more development in its economy, technology and world trading, then the country had experienced in all of its time. Canada’s economy was very weak, in the beginning of the war; one-third of the labour force had enlisted; wheat production fell due to the drought; and the rate of debt was accumulating at a rapid pace every month of the war. However as soon as industries and factories providing for the war were funded, these poor economic times changed.
In addition, Canada’s agricultural industry output soared and Canada started exporting mass quantities of goods to Britain. In 1915 Canada established the Imperial Munitions Board (IMB), which produced war supplies for the allied armies and by 1916 IMB was Canada’s largest employer, employing over 250 000 people. Even after the war Canada’s economy flourished; by 1919, field crops productions increased by 163%, fisheries increased by 74%, forest products increased by 70% and minerals increased by 19%. Overall Canada’s exports increased by and outstanding 223% and they were moreover seen as a nation of great economic growth.
Canada was one of the few countries in which the economy was very stable after the war, this caused Canada to take a greater stand with the rest of the world and become recognized by many countries all around. Amidst wartime, Britain had a great degree of dependence on Canada for food, supplies and men. In addition, Canada sent large amount of wheat for food for the soldiers and send around 600, 000 men, a hefty contribution for a country with a population at less than 7 million. Canadian soldiers came into the war and were laughed at by the other soldiers, for most of our troops had little experience and were poorly equipped for battle.
Despite these short comings, Canadians soon gained an excellent reputation as effective, tough, and courageous fighters; this was originally proven at the battle of Ypres. Although Canadian casualties totaled 6 037 they had stood fast against the attack, winning them high praise for a job well done. This and many other great performance’s in the war, such as the battle of Vimy Ridge, gave the world a new view of Canada, they now saw us as a stronger, more independent nation from Britain.
In the end, Canada received two seats at the Paris Peace Conference and were able to sign the Treaty of Versailles, and four other treaties as well; in doing so this guaranteed a seat for Canada in the League of Nations. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 brought the official end to World War One. Although the terms of the treaty affected Canada in a slight way, by only receiving a small portion of the reparations, the treaty vastly improved Canada’s national status.
Though we signed underneath the British Empire and alongside other Dominions, Canada was already seen as a nation that could fight for their independence. As a result Canada becoming part of the League of Nations’ General Assembly, Canada received a separate representation and it was its first official contact with foreign governments. The war was able to enhance Canada’s independency, had it never happened – it would have taken a much longer time for Canada to transform from a colony to a nation.
So in conclusion, although WWI caused a great deal of death and destruction, it gave back much in return. WWI allowed for Canada’s economy to grow immensely strong in a short period of time; it boosted industrial expansion throughout the country; and forced women to leave their homes for work – stimulating them to fight for equality; and finally, WWI gave Canada a sense of pride in itself as a nation, separate from Britain. The Great War of 1914 was terrifyingly brutal, as well as exceedingly beneficial for Canada.
