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The War Measures Act
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Political
Explanation:
The War Measures Act was passed by the Canadian government in order to grant police and military control over any Canadian citizens that immigrated from or were of enemy country descent, leading to extreme mistreatment of immigrant Canadians and the use of internment camps. This is still considered a negative event in Canada today.
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Second Battle of Ypres
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Social
Explanation: The Second Battle of Ypres was a month-long battle in which German's first used poison gas against the Western front. Over 3000 Canadian's died a gruesome death just in this battle alone, and many others were injured by poison gas inhalation or artillery. This had an extremely negative impact on the families of these soldiers, and even led to a shift on some Canadian's opinion on war due to the many casualties. -
Aboriginal and Black Canadians Able to Enlist for the First Time
Progress Ranking: +1
Type of Progress: Political
Explanation: Although black and aboriginal Canadian's were granted the right to enlist, this did not come without its issues. Most black soldiers did not enter battle (like the No.2 Construction Battalion), but some did manage to enlist in mainly white platoons, although experienced racism from fellow soldiers. Although it was not perfect, at least the government allowed black and aboriginal Canadian's the right to enlist for their country. -
White and Black Women Given the Right to Vote
Progress Ranking: +1
Type of Progress: Political
Although white and black women were allowed the right to vote, Aboriginal and many immigrant women were legally left out. Additionally, women would not get identical voting rights to men until 1928. For black and white women, this brought more equality between men and women and society becoming fairer. This was a progressive time for women, but for it to be considered to have a fully positive impact it would have to include all Canadian women. -
Conscription
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Political
Explanation: Conscription was widely protested by almost everyone. 90%+ of eligible conscripts applied for exemption and large conscription riots occurred in which people were injured and even killed. This created a widespread government hatred within many Canadian citizens, who some believed it was not Canada's battle to fight or to send their relatives to die in. -
Victory at Vimy Ridge
Progress Ranking: +1
Type of Progress: Political & Social
Explanation: The Victory of Vimy Ridge was a great win for Canada, but didn't come without its sacrifices. Although this was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together on the same battlefield, many Canadian casualties still occurred including 3598 deaths and over 7000 injured. -
The Halifax Harbour Explosion
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Social
Explanation: On the morning of December 6th, 1917, a freight ship called the SS Imo and a munition ship named the SS Mont-Blanc accidentally collided in Halifax harbor killing almost 2000 people and injuring approx. 9000 others. Having death brought to innocent people on the homefront didn't help the negative view around war. The more people died, the less and less Canadian's supported the war effort. -
National Debt $2.4 Billion
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Economical
Explanation: Munition costs, unemployment rates, and war bonds all affected Canada's economy and debt. By the end of the war, Canada was almost two and a half million dollars in debt, and unemployment rates grew from returning soldiers. Not being able to meet supply and demand meant debt only growing for Canada, and for lives of Canadians getting worse. The national debt negatively affected Canada and every Canadian for years to come. -
Death Toll of 60,000
Progress Ranking: -2
Type of Progress: Social
Explanation: The deaths of Canadian soldiers resonated very badly with their family and loved ones on the homefront. Once conscription began, Canadian's rebelled government because they didn't believe they should be sent to die. 60000 Canadian's dying is horrible, and this had a negative effect on Canada and Canadian's moral. -
Canada Gets a Seat at the Paris Peace Conference
Progress Ranking: +2
Type of Progress: Political
Explanation: The Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles were the official conclusions to the end of the war. The British Dominion countries originally were to be represented under the British Empire, but Prime Minister Borden argued that Canada deserved its own seat. Canada was granted this right at the conference, which was a pivotal point for Canada's independence and would later influence the Statue of Westminster.
