When Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier stated, “As the 19th century was that of the United States, so I think the 20th century shall be filled by Canada”, the decades that followed provided his statement to be true as Canada became an independent and strong nation. The battlefields in World War One were a defining moment for Canada as their forces fought as one nation for the first time, instead of under British Command. Also, at the end of the war, Canada was recognized at the Peace Conference and signed the Treaty of Versailles as an independent country. In addition, Canada joined the League of Nations, playing a major role in world politics. These events in the early 20th century allowed the beginning of a strong nation with a growing national …show more content…
Canada wanted to be recognized for their war efforts, and they opposed to further fight without representing their own country, indicating that they could be independent, a step towards developing their constitution. Next, the notable war records and successes in battles such as Vimy Ridge won them recognition on the Treaty of Versailles. Prime Minister Robert Borden, in the Liberal-Conservative Handbook , ‘Equal status or Equality of Nationhood', stated, "The highest future for this Dominion lies within this Empire upon conditions of equal status." This statement by Borden foreshadowed Canada’s important role in the Paris Peace Conference and the eventual signing of the Treaty of Versailles. This was a significant milestone in Canada’s history and the signing showed the world that Canada is a new independent nation that can support and represent …show more content…
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
Men would hear these stories and it resulted in them no longer wanting to join the Canadian military. Canada’s Prime Minister during this time, Sir Robert Borden noticed that the casualty rate was higher than
Source III portrays that Canadian nationalism was created by the victory of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and how the battle unified and strengthened Canada as a nation. The source embraces civic nationalism and illustrates how a strong sense of patriotism for one’s country can be founded and can further inspire and establish nationalism. For example, the Canadian soldiers that fought at Vimy Ridge were patriotic and fought for Canada, and the results and rewards of the battle were significant to the war. At the time, German leaders and soldiers that fought at Vimy Ridge would disagree with the source, as they believed the Battle of Vimy Ridge did not considerably influence the outcome of the war. They would argue that although the location and
Many years ago, French and British explorers found land that they claimed and fought for, through time they turned this land into Canada. This country began named New France, ruled by the French people, then as British North America, ruled by the British people. The French and the British had frequently fought over power, but this is what ended up shaping the provinces and territories in Canada. Events that impacted Canada were the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 , then the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the Forming of Upper Canada in 1791, and the Act of the Union in 1849, when a responsible government was formed and Canada became one. The land of Canada began with an unsteady system, and ended with responsible government, having a democracy and giving
In spite of being a member of the British Empire, King believed that Canada needed to be independent country and Britain’s declaration of war should not also be Canada’s. When war was on the verge of breaking out in Europe, King urged the Canadian Parliament to have the decision. This especially gave King a good reputation with the French Canadians because the First World War separated the English, French and immigrants. King knew that he had to be loyal to his own country since Canada has been officially deemed independent in the 1931 Statute of Westminster and so there will not be a civil war. To still have the strong relationship with Britain, King became a mediator for Britain and U.S’s agreements.
The Canadian Corps took more ground, prisoners and guns than any other Allied attack to date. This monumental battle was unified the citizens of Canada by creating a source of national pride; the young dominion was able to accomplish what the Allies deemed impossible. Eventually, Canada’s record, crowned by Vimy’s success earned Canada a separate signature on the Versailles Peace Treaty. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, The capture of Vimy Ridge was the “most complete and decisive engagements of the Great War and the greatest Allied victory up to that time.” For this reason, the Battle of Vimy Ridge brought Canada into the international table, demonstrating Canada’s prowess.
Training of men was inadequate that Canada posed no real threat towards the Germans in the European war. Sir Robert Borden also offers Britain the service of Canadian troops that Britain evidently accepts and the race to 500,00 troops is on. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, former Leader of the Liberal party and Prime Minister spoke for Canada when he stated that “ it is our duty to let Great Britain know and to let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart and that all Canadian are behind the mother country”. This means that Canada is loyal in supporting Great Britain behind the line and that Canada will be standing beside them throughout the war. Canada responds with a burst of numerous amounts of men willing to volunteer from across the country.
History Culminating Reflection William K. L. Lore was an inspiration to many Canadians during his time. If I could meet him, I would ask how it felt to not only be the first Chinese Canadian to enter the Canadian civil service, but the first Chinese Canadian in the Royal Canadian Navy and in any of the British Commonwealth navies. Another question that would concern him would be, what made him study Mining Engineering, and if he was not able to study Mining Engineering, what else he would like to study. Furthermore, I would ask him about why he wanted to join the Royal Canadian Navy, as he most likely knew that people of Canada were racist and why he kept attempting to join the Royal Canadian Navy, even after he was denied entrance three times.
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).
Canada is now known to be a diverse, multicultural, bilingual and inclusive nation largely as a result of his work. Pierre Elliott Trudeau also believed in an equal Canada for all, he is primarily the one to introduce rights and freedoms to the citizens of Canada. While some view Pierre Trudeau as impulsive, for enforcing the War Measures Act, Trudeau enacted this for the protection of Canadian citizens against radical extremist and his actions were more rational than impulsive for the situation that had suddenly occurred. Pierre Trudeau was one of Canada’s greatest Prime Minister’s, who’s impact fundamentally changed the course of the nation by introducing multiculturalism, for introducing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and for paradoxically upholding democracy by strong action during the October Crisis.
At Vimy Ridge Canadians proved themselves to be capable fighters, created a Canadian nationalism that had been lacking before, and showed the world that Canada was nation independent from Britain. The global recognition that Canada received for the work of the C.E.F. at Vimy Ridge also changed Canada’s role in the international political community. Due to Canada’s initial role in the world as part of the British Empire, Canada was an ally of Britain from the start and would remain allied with Britain even to today. So, what changed in the relationship between Britain and Canada? Canada had now proved itself to be capable of operating independently.
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.
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.
William Lyon Mackenzie King, a man of glory, forever changed Canada’s constitution during the tumultuous nineteenth century and resolved all difficulties Canada faced on its way to becoming a strong, independent, and autonomous nation. His contributions and sanctions targeted all factors at the time and had interrelated effects on the construction of Canada. Unlike other Canadian politicians, King handled every crisis with thorough planning and achieved promising outcomes from unsolvable problems. It is without a doubt that King was the most influential figure in Canada’s development. His role in the autonomy, economic development, and social stability stands as solid evidence of the pioneering impacts he had on Canada’s advancement.
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
The British and French had already attempted to take this area, and although it was valiant they still lost. This put weight on Canada’s soldiers. On April 9th, 1917, 1000 guns opened fire on German positions. 15000 Canadians attacked the Germans and after four days and 10000 casualties, Canada single handedly took Vimy Ridge (Vimy Ridge, 1). This victory gained the nation immense respect from the rest of the world.