HIST 465
CANADA’S INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR II
HIST 465: World War II
PROFESSOR NAME
Introduction
Canada officially entered World War II on September 10, 1939, nearly a week after
Britain declared war on Germany. Originally Canada was not willing to participate in the World
War II because of the conscription policy set forth during World War I. However, as a former
British colony, there was immense pressure for its involvement in the war. Canada’s
participation in the war created new demands for Canadians across the country, both in the
military effort as well as war supplies production. Many Canadians worried that their
involvement in the war could provoke an attack from Germany. Nevertheless, more than one
million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Second World War while others remained
home to work in industries and farming. More than 45,000 gave their lives and another 55,000
were wounded during the conflict. Canadians hoped for a rapid end to the war. However, this
was not the case as the war would last nearly six years.
Thesis statement
Canada's role in World War II from financial support for Britain to ensuring the flow
of war supplies and huge armed forces recruitment campaigns was critical to the success of the
allies and their victory over Germany.
Geographic and Historical Factors
Canada is the largest country in North America. It has six geographic Regions covering a
vast basin nearly 3,200 miles in diameter. On July 1, 1867, three British colonies merged to form
Canada or the Canadian Confederation. After the confederation was formed, a full-fledged
Canadian military was created. However, from the start, Canada has been committed to
, multilateralism and has gone to war within large multinational coalitions. Canadian forces
joined their British counterparts in the Second Boer War and the First World War. The Military
Service Act of 1917 was a controversial law allowing the conscription of Canadian men for
service in the final years of the First World War. The Military Service Bill led to one of the
angriest confrontations between French and English in Canada's history. It's known as the
conscription crisis. World War 1 had enormous negative impacts and some positive impacts on
Canada. The positive impacts include Canada turning into a united nation and the establishment
of the right to vote for women. As a large country with a large economy, when war broke out in
1939 Canada felt that they had to respond to the growing threat from Hitler and the Nazis.
The war broke out after German armies invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Germany
used their armored ‘Panzer’ divisions to destroy the Polish defenses in the west.1 France and
Britain had pledged to help Poland. The British declaration to engage in war against the Germans
had a significant influence on Canada. Even though Canada was noncommittal on supporting
Britain's declaration of war against the Germans, it was only a matter of time before Canada
would follow suit.
On September 9, Canada's parliament held a special session where it approved support
for Britain and France. The next day, King George VI declared war against Germany on behalf of
Canada. After the declaration, Canada alerted its coastal defenses, mobilized the militia
regiments and intensified preparations. Additionally, Canada began a large-scale military
recruitment campaign aimed at boosting the Armed Forces. Canada enlisted 58,337 men and
women during this campaign. Following the recruitment, Canada sent out the first Canadian
infantry division to support Britain. The division sailed for Britain and was the first of thousands
of Canadian soldiers who were to serve overseas during World War II.
CANADA’S INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR II
HIST 465: World War II
PROFESSOR NAME
Introduction
Canada officially entered World War II on September 10, 1939, nearly a week after
Britain declared war on Germany. Originally Canada was not willing to participate in the World
War II because of the conscription policy set forth during World War I. However, as a former
British colony, there was immense pressure for its involvement in the war. Canada’s
participation in the war created new demands for Canadians across the country, both in the
military effort as well as war supplies production. Many Canadians worried that their
involvement in the war could provoke an attack from Germany. Nevertheless, more than one
million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Second World War while others remained
home to work in industries and farming. More than 45,000 gave their lives and another 55,000
were wounded during the conflict. Canadians hoped for a rapid end to the war. However, this
was not the case as the war would last nearly six years.
Thesis statement
Canada's role in World War II from financial support for Britain to ensuring the flow
of war supplies and huge armed forces recruitment campaigns was critical to the success of the
allies and their victory over Germany.
Geographic and Historical Factors
Canada is the largest country in North America. It has six geographic Regions covering a
vast basin nearly 3,200 miles in diameter. On July 1, 1867, three British colonies merged to form
Canada or the Canadian Confederation. After the confederation was formed, a full-fledged
Canadian military was created. However, from the start, Canada has been committed to
, multilateralism and has gone to war within large multinational coalitions. Canadian forces
joined their British counterparts in the Second Boer War and the First World War. The Military
Service Act of 1917 was a controversial law allowing the conscription of Canadian men for
service in the final years of the First World War. The Military Service Bill led to one of the
angriest confrontations between French and English in Canada's history. It's known as the
conscription crisis. World War 1 had enormous negative impacts and some positive impacts on
Canada. The positive impacts include Canada turning into a united nation and the establishment
of the right to vote for women. As a large country with a large economy, when war broke out in
1939 Canada felt that they had to respond to the growing threat from Hitler and the Nazis.
The war broke out after German armies invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Germany
used their armored ‘Panzer’ divisions to destroy the Polish defenses in the west.1 France and
Britain had pledged to help Poland. The British declaration to engage in war against the Germans
had a significant influence on Canada. Even though Canada was noncommittal on supporting
Britain's declaration of war against the Germans, it was only a matter of time before Canada
would follow suit.
On September 9, Canada's parliament held a special session where it approved support
for Britain and France. The next day, King George VI declared war against Germany on behalf of
Canada. After the declaration, Canada alerted its coastal defenses, mobilized the militia
regiments and intensified preparations. Additionally, Canada began a large-scale military
recruitment campaign aimed at boosting the Armed Forces. Canada enlisted 58,337 men and
women during this campaign. Following the recruitment, Canada sent out the first Canadian
infantry division to support Britain. The division sailed for Britain and was the first of thousands
of Canadian soldiers who were to serve overseas during World War II.
