5.1 Canada's Entry into the War and Military Contributions

Canada's entry into World War I was swift and decisive. As part of the British Empire, it joined the fight in August 1914 after Germany invaded Belgium. This marked a turning point in Canadian history, showcasing both loyalty and growing independence.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force quickly formed and deployed overseas. Under leaders like Sir Arthur Currie, Canadian troops gained a reputation for effectiveness, notably at Vimy Ridge in 1917. However, as the war dragged on, voluntary enlistment declined, leading to the controversial conscription crisis of 1917.

Outbreak of World War I

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

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• On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist
• The assassination triggered a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I
• Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the assassination and issued an ultimatum with harsh demands
• Serbia, backed by Russia, refused to fully comply with the ultimatum, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia on July 28, 1914

Involvement of the British Empire

• Due to a complex system of alliances and international tensions, the conflict quickly escalated into a global war
• The British Empire, which included Canada, declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, following Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium
• As a dominion of the British Empire, Canada was automatically at war when Britain declared war on Germany
• Canada's involvement in the war was a defining moment in its history, as it demonstrated its loyalty to the British Empire and its growing independence on the world stage

Canadian Military Contributions

Formation and Deployment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force

• The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the army raised by Canada for service overseas during World War I
• The CEF was a separate entity from the Permanent Active Militia (or Permanent Force) and the Non-Permanent Active Militia
• By the end of the war, the CEF had grown to include four divisions, which fought together as the Canadian Corps
• The CEF participated in major battles such as the Second Battle of Ypres (1915), the Battle of the Somme (1916), and the Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917)

Achievements of the Canadian Corps

• The Canadian Corps, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, gained a reputation as one of the most effective fighting forces on the Western Front
• The Corps' success in capturing Vimy Ridge in April 1917, a position that had resisted previous Allied attacks, was a defining moment for Canada and a symbol of its growing military prowess
• The Canadian Corps played a significant role in the final Allied offensive of the war, known as the Hundred Days Offensive (August-November 1918), which ultimately led to the end of the war

Controversial Leadership of Sam Hughes

• Sir Sam Hughes served as Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence from 1911 to 1916
• Hughes was responsible for overseeing Canada's war effort, including recruitment, training, and equipping the CEF
• He was known for his unconventional and sometimes controversial decisions, such as the adoption of the Ross rifle, which proved to be unsuitable for the conditions of trench warfare
• Hughes' mismanagement and conflicts with military officials led to his dismissal from the cabinet in November 1916

Enlistment and Conscription

Voluntary Enlistment in the Early Years of the War

• At the outbreak of the war, Canada relied on voluntary enlistment to raise troops for the CEF
• Initial enthusiasm for the war led to a surge of volunteers, with over 30,000 men enlisting in the first six weeks
• By the end of 1914, the CEF had grown to over 100,000 men
• However, as the war dragged on and casualties mounted, voluntary enlistment began to decline, leading to the need for alternative measures

The Conscription Crisis of 1917

• By 1917, the number of volunteers had decreased significantly, while the demand for reinforcements remained high
• Prime Minister Robert Borden, facing pressure to maintain Canada's military commitments, introduced the Military Service Act in August 1917
• The Act introduced conscription, or mandatory military service, for men aged 20 to 45
• The issue of conscription divided the country along linguistic and regional lines, with French Canadians and some farmers and labor unions opposing the measure

Implementation and Impact of the Military Service Act

• The Military Service Act came into effect on January 1, 1918
• The Act required all male British subjects in Canada aged 20 to 45 to register for potential military service
• Exemptions were granted for essential occupations, conscientious objectors, and those with dependents
• The Act ultimately resulted in the conscription of approximately 125,000 men, of whom only about 24,000 were sent to the front lines before the end of the war
• The Conscription Crisis had lasting political and social consequences, deepening the divide between English and French Canada and contributing to the decline of the federal Conservative Party