World War I History and Canada's Role (1914-1919)

The Spark of World War I (1914)

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group. The Black Hand opposed the annexation of Bosnia and sought unity with Serbia. This assassination served as the spark that ignited the start of World War I.

The System of Alliances

• Triple Entente: Britain, France, and Russia (with Italy joining later).
• Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (though Italy eventually switched sides).

The MAIN Causes of the Great War

• Militarism: An intense arms race between nations.
• Alliances: The formation of hostile camps across Europe.
• Imperialism: Intense rivalry over overseas colonies.
• Nationalism: A sense of extreme pride in one's nation.

The Outbreak of Hostilities

• July 26: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
• August 1: Germany declared war on Russia.
• August 2: Germany declared war on France.
• August 4: Germany invaded Belgium, prompting Britain to declare war.
• Canada: As part of the British Empire, Canada joined the war automatically.

The Schlieffen Plan and Trench Stalemate

The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy designed to invade France by passing through neutral Belgium. The plan failed, leading to a prolonged trench stalemate on the Western Front.

Modern Weaponry and Technology

• Rifles: Capable of firing 15 rounds per minute.
• Machine Guns: Possessed firepower equal to 100 rifles.
• Artillery: Used for launching shrapnel shells.
• Poison Gas: Included the use of chlorine and mustard gas.
• Tanks: First deployed during the Battle of the Somme.
• Planes: Used for reconnaissance and aerial dogfights.
• Zeppelins: Utilized for bombing raids.
• U-boats: German submarines used for naval warfare.

War in the Air and at Sea

Aces were pilots with five or more confirmed kills, including famous Canadians like Billy Bishop (72 kills), Barker, and Brown. At sea, U-boats remained the biggest threat, leading to the implementation of the convoy system to protect merchant ships.

Life in the Trenches

The trench system stretched 483 km from Switzerland to Belgium. Soldiers were ordered "over the top" into No Man’s Land. Daily life was characterized by mud, rats, lice, and the constant threat of disease.

Women's Contributions to the War Effort

Women served as nurses, clerks, and ambulance drivers. In Canada, they took on vital roles in factories, farms, and offices to support the economy and the military.

Race and Discrimination in the Military

• Black Canadians: Initially rejected, they later formed the No. 2 Construction Battalion under William White, the only Black officer in the British Empire at the time.
• Indigenous Peoples: Over 4,000 enlisted, serving notably as snipers. Francis Pegahmagabow became the most decorated Indigenous soldier.

Key Canadian Battles and Victories

• Ypres (1915): Faced the first use of poison gas; resulted in 5,200 Canadian casualties.
• Somme (1916): A disaster on July 1; 57,540 Allied troops died, including 24,000 Canadians. This battle saw the first use of tanks.
• Vimy Ridge (1917): A defining victory for Canada with 3,598 dead; it became a symbol of national pride.
• Passchendaele (1917): A brutal battle in the mud resulting in 16,000 Canadian deaths.
• The Last 100 Days (1918): Canadian and American forces successfully pushed the German army back.

The End of the War and Armistice

The United States joined the war due to the Zimmerman Telegram and unrestricted U-boat warfare. On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 am, the Armistice was signed, ending the fighting.

The Canadian Homefront

Canada supported the war through the Patriotic Fund, the Soldiers of the Soil initiative, rationing, and the introduction of income tax. Approximately 1,500 factories employed 250,000 workers, the majority of whom were women.

Enemy Aliens and Internment

Roughly 500,000 German and Austrian immigrants were targeted as enemy aliens. Many faced internment in camps, job loss, and systemic discrimination.

The Halifax Explosion (1917)

The munitions ship Mont-Blanc collided with the Imo in Halifax Harbor. The resulting explosion killed 1,600 people and injured 9,000 others.

The Conscription Crisis of 1917

Prime Minister Robert Borden promised 500,000 troops, leading to the Military Service Bill and forced conscription. The Wartime Elections Act gave the vote to families of soldiers while disenfranchising "enemy aliens." This created a deep English-French divide in Canada, with 60,000 men eventually conscripted.

The Treaty of Versailles (1919)

The treaty forced Germany to lose colonies and land, reduce its military, accept war guilt, and pay massive reparations. It also created new countries like Poland and Czechoslovakia. The resulting humiliation for Germany later fueled the rise of Hitler.

Legacy, Disease, and Social Unrest

• John McCrae: Author of the famous poem In Flanders Fields; he died in 1918.
• Spanish Flu: A global pandemic that killed 35,000 Canadians and 50 million people worldwide.
• Winnipeg General Strike (1919): 35,000 workers went on strike; the movement was crushed by militia, resulting in two deaths and lasting labor tensions.