The ways in which Canada, as a nation Essay Example

the war effort, such as fabricating munitions and working as nurses for the war, both of which were very dangerous. Women also took the roles as farmers and produced much of the food consumed overseas.

This immensely changed the way women were viewed, as now the country would see they are capable of working just as diligently as men. In 1917, Robert Borden, the Prime-Minster during World War One, passed the Wartime Elections Act. This act gave the right to vote to all females in the majority who had husbands, brothers or sons enlisted in the war. Although this was a front for Borden to receive votes in his favour, it was a huge stepping stone in the equality for us women. By the end of the war nearly all the women over 21 were given the right to vote as long as they met the racial and property ownership requirement.

Many Canadians would consider our country’s “turn of the century” to be WWI; In the years of the war, in-between 1914 to 1918, Canada experienced more development in its economy, technology and world trading, then the country had experienced in all of its time. Canada’s economy was very weak, in the beginning of the war; one-third of the labour force had enlisted; wheat production fell due to the drought; and the rate of debt was accumulating at a rapid pace every month of the war. However as soon as industries and factories providing for the war were funded, these poor economic times changed.

In addition, Canada's agricultural industry output soared and Canada started exporting mass quantities of goods to Britain. In 1915 Canada established the Imperial Munitions

Board (IMB), which produced war supplies for the allied armies and by 1916 IMB was Canada's largest employer, employing over 250 000 people. Even after the war Canada’s economy flourished; by 1919, field crops productions increased by 163%, fisheries increased by 74%, forest products increased by 70% and minerals increased by 19%. Overall Canada's exports increased by and outstanding 223% and they were moreover seen as a nation of great economic growth.

Canada was one of the few countries in which the economy was very stable after the war, this caused Canada to take a greater stand with the rest of the world and become recognized by many countries all around. Amidst wartime, Britain had a great degree of dependence on Canada for food, supplies and men. In addition, Canada sent large amount of wheat for food for the soldiers and send around 600,000 men, a hefty contribution for a country with a population at less than 7 million. Canadian soldiers came into the war and were laughed at by the other soldiers, for most of our troops had little experience and were poorly equipped for battle.

Despite these short comings, Canadians soon gained an excellent reputation as effective, tough, and courageous fighters; this was originally proven at the battle of Ypres. Although Canadian casualties totaled 6 037 they had stood fast against the attack, winning them high praise for a job well done. This and many other great performance's in the war, such as the battle of Vimy Ridge, gave the world a new view of Canada, they now saw us as a stronger, more independent nation from Britain.

In the end, Canada received two seats at

the Paris Peace Conference and were able to sign the Treaty of Versailles, and four other treaties as well; in doing so this guaranteed a seat for Canada in the League of Nations. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 brought the official end to World War One. Although the terms of the treaty affected Canada in a slight way, by only receiving a small portion of the reparations, the treaty vastly improved Canada's national status.

Though we signed underneath the British Empire and alongside other Dominions, Canada was already seen as a nation that could fight for their independence. As a result Canada becoming part of the League of Nations' General Assembly, Canada received a separate representation and it was its first official contact with foreign governments. The war was able to enhance Canada's independency, had it never happened – it would have taken a much longer time for Canada to transform from a colony to a nation.

So in conclusion, although WWI caused a great deal of death and destruction, it gave back much in return. WWI allowed for Canada's economy to grow immensely strong in a short period of time; it boosted industrial expansion throughout the country; and forced women to leave their homes for work – stimulating them to fight for equality; and finally, WWI gave Canada a sense of pride in itself as a nation, separate from Britain. The Great War of 1914 was terrifyingly brutal, as well as exceedingly beneficial for Canada.