Socials

• The map above displays Europe in 1914. Look at a current map and list some of the differences.
• In 1914, Europe had different political boundaries than today. Specific empires such as the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires have all dissolved. Countries like Poland and the Baltic states are now distinct and independent nations.
• The Central Powers


  • Germany
  • Austria-Hungary
  • The Ottoman Empire
  • Bulgaria
• The Triple Entente (Allies)

  • France
  • Russia
  • The United Kingdom
  • Later: United States, Italy, Japan
• Canada was automatically part of the Triple Entente due to being a self governing dominion of the British Empire, giving the British Empire complete control over its foreign affairs.
• The Balkans


  The region in Southeast Europe known for its complex history of ethnic and religious diversity, as well as political instability. It includes countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and others.
• Franz Ferdinand


  The Archduke of Austria-Hungary whose assassination in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, triggered the start of World War I. He and his wife Sophie were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist.
• The assassination of Franz Ferdinand is often referred to as "The shot heard around the world" because it set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I, a global conflict involving many nations.
• Sovereignty


  The supreme authority or power of a state to govern itself and make decisions within its own borders without external interference.
• Motivations for Canadians to join the military

  • School Texts
  • Invasion of Belgium
  • Escape from Boredom
  • Employment Opportunities
• Factors that would exclude someone from being accepted into the military

  • Short Stature (below 5'3)
  • Poor Eyesight
  • Bad Teeth
  • Being too young or too old
• 4,000 Indigenous Canadians fought in the war, which may be surprising given the discrimination and lack of recognition they faced both before and after the war.
• Despite their service, Aboriginal fighters faced discrimination and were denied veteran benefits and recognition upon their return from war.
• Francophone


  French-speaking people
• Many Francophones opposed the war due to a sense of loyalty to French Canada and a cultural disconnect from European France, and they had reservations against fighting alongside their English-speaking compatriots in support of Britain.
• Farmers applied for exemption from fighting to maintain food production and support their families, as their labor was essential for agricultural productivity during wartime.
• Pacifist


  Individuals who oppose war and violence
• Radical pacifists opposed the war on moral grounds, believing it to be inherently unjust and detrimental to humanity.
• Robert Borden


  The Prime Minister of Canada during World War I
• Borden advocated for Canada's "greater national autonomy within the Empire"


  Borden advocated for Canada to have more control over its own affairs within the British Empire, seeking greater autonomy and recognition of Canada's contributions and sacrifices during the war.
• Borden supported Canada's active participation in the war effort, believing it was necessary to defend British interests and secure Canada's place within the Empire.
• Conscription


  Mandatory enlistment into the military
• The Wartime Elections Act and the Military Voters Act disenfranchised certain groups, such as conscientious objectors and recent immigrants, while expanding voting rights for soldiers and certain women.
• Aspects of trench life

  • Unsanitary
  • Stand-to
  • Inspections
  • Chores
  • Nighttime activities
  • Psychological toll
• Shell Shock


  A psychological condition characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, nightmares, and flashbacks, resulting from exposure to the trauma of warfare.
• The gas attack by the Germans and the Canadians' defense against it, showcasing their resilience and adaptability in the face of a new form of warfare. It was also the first major engagement involving Canadians.
• Chemical warfare


  The use of toxic chemicals as weapons to incapacitate or kill enemy combatants. While its use is prohibited by international law, instances of chemical warfare still occur in modern conflicts, just less frequently.
• The battle of Vimy Ridge was a major Canadian victory in April 1917, where Canadian troops successfully captured a strategically important ridge from German forces. It demonstrated Canada's military prowess, but the event also saw tremendous casualties.
• Significant facts about the nurses

  • More than 3000 nurses served
  • They were trained for war
  • 53 of them were killed
  • They were called Sisters of Mercy, Angels of Mercy, and Bluebirds
  • They were between 21-38
  • They were professionally trained and served in various warzones
• The Halifax Explosion occurred on December 6, 1917, when the Mont Blanc, a French vessel loaded with explosives, collided with the Belgian relief ship, Imo, in Halifax harbor, resulting in a devastating explosion that caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
• Canada experienced social, political, and economic changes after the war, including increased autonomy within the British Empire, changes to voting rights, and the social and economic impacts of the flu epidemic and the loss of lives during the war.
• The war accelerated the process of transformation from a centralized British Empire to a looser association of self-governing dominions within the British Commonwealth, highlighting Britain's dependence on its dominions for military and economic support.
• Approximately 61,000 Canadians were killed during World War I.
• Approximately 50,000 Canadians died from influenza during the war, surpassing the number of military casualties.
• Around 6,000 Canadians lost limbs during World War I.
• The government responded to the flu outbreak by implementing public health measures such as quarantine, shutting down non-essential services, and encouraging people to practice good hygiene including wearing masks to prevent the spread of the disease.
• The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution Act, 1982.