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How World War II Has Affected The Lives Of Canada

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“Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind” (John F. Kennedy). War represents some of the worst periods throughout the history of mankind. There have been two major wars in history and over 80 million people have lost their lives in these wars. With all these deaths and losses, we question the necessity of war, and the impacts of war. Canada participated in both World Wars and this had a significant impact on the country. Specifically, World War 2 which has changed Canada beyond recognition. The World War two affected the lives of Canadians socially, economically, and politically. World War 2 has affected the lives of Canadians socially. The national autonomy of the nation increased due to the war. The war brought …show more content…

Canada was in the hardest times in history based on the economy. During the Great Depression, Canada was going through the bust cycle with high unemployment and lots of people. However, when the war started, it demanded more supplies, equipment, and weaponry. This started creating jobs, and essentially put the economy of the country back into the boom cycle. War industries arose, and production of war material, food supplies, and raw materials begun. Lots of jobs were created on the Homefront and for the war in Europe. Due to this boost in the industrial economy, there was a full employment as hundreds and thousands of Canadian men and women found work in war industries by 1942. Previous factories that made other supplies converted into war factories, and started producing supplies for the war effort. For example, many car and appliance companies started using their equipment to create machine guns, tanks, fighter planes, and other weaponry equipment for the war overseas. By the end of the war, all these factories had produced billions of dollars of equipment, machinery, and other supplies. All of which was used in the war, or given to other countries such as Britain to use. In conclusion, all this war effort helped Canada rise out of the Depression which was going on for the previous ten years. It helped prosper Canada economically, and raise the status of the country by increasing its economic …show more content…

Before World War two, Canadians still felt a tie with Britain, and still felt connected with them. Although, when Canada decided to enter this war by itself, the country showed their independence from Britain. Canada displayed how it can now make its own decision of entering the war, and it didn’t just do what Britain did. Additionally, during the war, Canada made great contributions to the war effort establishing itself as a strong and powerful nation such as the others. Canada had the third largest navy and 4th largest air force. For such a small nation of only around 11 to 12 million, this was a large military force. With such an enormous military contribution during the war, other countries began to recognize the success of Canada, and its increasing political position in the world. In the same manner, within the country the citizens grew further and further apart from Britain during the war, and developed a feeling a greater sense of pride and a more nationalistic notion. Another effect the Second World War had on Canada politically was that the nation became the peacemaker in the world. Our nation established itself a middle power within the world and took a more active role globally. After the war, Canada began to be the peacemaker in the world and took an active role in many organizations such as the UN and the NATO. Canada went on to partake many roles in small different wars such as the Korean War and

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Canada had a very small reserve of military and transportation supplies, but the department of munitions and supplies had completely changed that. By the end of the war, the Canadian industry had spent over $10 billion dollars ($100 billion in todays currency) on 1.7 million small arms, 16 000 aircrafts, 50 000 tanks and armoured vehicles, 9000 ships, and so much more. In order to pay for this, the Wartime Industries Control Board, along with the Munitions and supplies had applied tough wages, and price controls in 1941. However, the newfound industry allowed anyone to work, who wanted to work (with restrictions on wages, and choosing and changing jobs) but after the depression of the 1930’s, it was a huge step forward. Britain was also allowed to borrow money with no interest because of the department of Munitions and Supplies (2).

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When war erupted in 1914, it caused a patriotic fervor in English Canada. Volunteers clustered to recruiting stations and everyone got into the war effort at home, determined to contribute to the British Empire 's battle in Europe. In stark contrast, French Canada felt removed from Britain 's dilemma.

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During World War II, Woman’s were assembled for duty in the Canadian Armed Forces, for the first time. The armed force was shy of men in war services and administration, which lead the Canadian government to choose and declare on August 13, 1941 to give woman’s the privilege to take an interest in war utility. 50,000 women were enlisted and more than half provided service in the Canadian Army. Most were doled out occupations including customary female work, for example, cooking, clothing and administrative obligations, also woman had pioneer roles in the mechanized and specialized fields. The Canadian Women 's Army Corps (CWAC) performed fundamental administrations, both at home and abroad, that achieved Allied victory.

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As Canada’s economy progressed to become one of the largest in the world, their exports grew and by the end of the war they had the fifth largest navy and the fourth largest air force in the world. A fierce determination grew inside many Canadians after the failure at Dieppe where almost 60% of the men that landed on the beaches were killed, captured or wounded. Canadians believed that Dieppe had been a major disaster, which it was, but many British authorities deemed that “for every man that was killed in [the raid on] Dieppe saved the lives of 10 at Normandy.” Dieppe was a battle that Canadians never forgot, and it produced a determined country. After Normandy and the capture of Dieppe, they gave a parade in the middle of the war to those men who had died almost two years earlier.

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As a country Canada’s strengths included, gaining autonomy through persevering and showing just how mature and ready Canadians were to be in charge of their own army; and be recognized as a separate country from Britain. Another one of Canada’s strengths was how calmly autonomy was achieved after the war. Canada did not need to make a fuss about becoming their own country because it was obvious that they were already ready for that. Their proof was presented in how they planned and executed their battles, and fought alongside Britain to successfully defeat

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The war's influence extended beyond the battlefield, it shaped how Canadians see conflicts involving the whole world. One of the biggest impacts of the Vietnam War on Canada

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Today, Canada is seen as a multicultural and peaceful nation that has evolved over the course of history. This great nation would never have been possible without the impact that former Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson left on this country. His achievements and insights profoundly affected and shaped Canada’s nation. First, peacekeeping is an important part of Canada’s heritage and a reflection of its fundamental beliefs that Pearson implemented after dealing with world changing situations and winning a Nobel Prize. Also, his contributions as a liberal leader as well as the flaws and controversy with Diefenbaker did in fact define this country.

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World War One was a huge event in World History, and it is widely considered as a terrible thing although it may not be as bad as you may think. As time continues, society evolves. This centuries evolution could be inspired by and correlated alongside World War One. Seeing what Canada is today, it may not have been possible without the First World War. The First World War had the most significant impact on the Canadian nation, changing it for decades to come.

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One must always learn from their mistakes. Canada was drastically improved after WWII, because they learned from their mistakes in WWI, and utilized numerous policies and tools that helped them survive, and thrive. Some of these policies/tools include propaganda, the Permanent Joint Board on Defence, the veterans benefits program, and the United Nations declaration. After WWI most families lost their fathers or sons, and the majority of Canadians were angry at the government; who implemented the conscription it promised not to.

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This gave the Prime Minister William Mackenzie a much worse position to be in as the military population is declining due to the lack of volunteers joining in. Mackenzie however had to go back on his word in 1944, because the troop shortages were so severe to the point where they have to send conscripts to fight in the war. William Mackenzie has sent around 12-16 thousand conscripts overseas, not too much and not too little. In return, Quebec wasn’t too upset and the war was ending. At the end of the war, a total of 42,042 Canadian men and women of Canada’s armed forces died, around 22-23 thousand in the Canadian army, around 17, 000 in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and around 2,000 in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) were wounded and around 9,000 were taken prisoner.

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The independence gained from Canada’s successful contributions to battles allowed their forces to fight under their own command. Canada was recognized at the Paris Peace Conference and signed The Treaty of Versailles independently. Later on, Canada joined the League of Nations, making their mark in world politics. The nation that was once fully controlled by Great Britain, rose to prove their value to the world, as Mr. Laurier

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In 1939, no one thought that women, who weren 't even considered people decades before, would have such a massive impact in the Second World War. Canadian women 's contribution to the war effort, and their role at the home front and overseas had greatly increased since the previous, devastating First World War. The Second World War brought change to Canadian women on an unpredictable scale, though their volunteer work, paid labour force, and their contributions in the armed forces. Surely without the contributions made by the Canadian women, Canada and her allies would not have been as successful as they were. By far, the prime contribution made by Canadian women to the war effort came through their unpaid labour as volunteer work.

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During WWII, Canada played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic and the air war over Germany. They contributed troops to the allied forces and punched far above their weight for a small nation of then only 11 million people. Because of Canada’s oversized role in the War, it established itself as a middle power. This position helped define Canada in a number of ways, primarily being one of the first non-great powers to help build the United Nations. It earned respect from other countries and with The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

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World War 1 was a historic event which began in 1914 and ended in 1918. This bloody conflict took the lives of more than 17 million people who were fighting for their countries. Being a British colony at the time, Canada was dragged into the war that did not impact the country in any way, yet thousands of Canadians volunteered to devote their lives for their nation. The first World War had the greatest impact on Canadian history during the 20th century, as this event helped Canada gain more independence from Britain, it helped introduce women in the workforce, and also introduced non-white Canadians in the army. For the longest time, Canada had been under British control, however, this changed a bit after World War 1 took place.

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The events in American history have also affected Canada from a political perspective, which lead to the Democracy that is present today. Another way the U.S. has affected Canada is from a military perspective because Americans are quick to jump to war and Canada has had to help control them which lead to them being peacekeepers. The United States helped mold the Canadian identity by being both a threat and support to the nation; this will continue into the 21st century but Canada will keep it’s unique identity. A country 's culture can be seen as interchangeable with identity; in Canada there is evidence of American culture everywhere.

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