What was Canada's participation in World War 1?

Answer 1

Canada, as a dominion of Britain at the time, entered into the war immediately with British Empire's declaration of war on the 6th of August, 1914.

Initially Canadian troops were dispersed amongst British units, and it wasn't until September of 1915 that the first all-Canadian corps was formed. Made up entirely of volunteers, the Canada Corps was formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and the 2nd Canadian Division.

Although under British control, the Canadians made a name for themselves as effective fighters (as they were all volunteers, they all had high morale) and in 1916 played a decisive role in the battle of the Somme.

Helping to take this major victory cost Canada 25,000 of its sons, but it also added to the momentum of having united Canadian forces led by Canadians. Prior to the Somme, Canadian divisions were scattered throughout all of the British Empire's armies. The first Canadian commander of a united Canadian force was Lord Byng, who would later become a Governour General.

In 1917 the newly united Canadian Divisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) had their greatest victory by capturing the previously impregnable Vimy Ridge position held by the Germans. As a well-respected force, Canadians would continue to lead in other major battles, and the period between August 8th 1918 and November 11th 1918 is called "Canada's Hundred Days." During these 96 days, the Canadian Corps fought decisive battles at fought a series of battles at Amiens, the Drocourt-Queant Line, crossed the Canal Du Nord to fight at Bourlon Wood, Denain, Valenciennes, and finally at Mons on the final day of the First World War.

Beyond human losses one of the biggest shortcomings for Canada was the 1918 conscription crisis. Although supported by the majority of Canada's anglophones, the francophone population of Quebec railed against conscripting young men to a war that they felt was English. This created an overt fracture in the long-strained culture, and the fissures are still as clear and evident as they were in 1918. 28,000 men were conscripted to the Canadian forces by the end of the war; all told Canada mobilized 640,000 troops of which more than 240,000 were killed or injured.
Canadian troops were initially bought to Europe to back-up the British forces, but it was soon realized that Canadians troops deserved respect in their own right. For example, the battle of Ypres or the battle of Vimy ridge. The Canadians served along side the British and the French, and Canadians like Arthur Currie and Billy Bishop were able to stand away from the crowd, and show the world that Canada was its own nation and that it deserved more respect than it was presently given. Furthermore, Canada's envolvement in the war helped Canada gain two seats at the Paris Peace Conference after the war was over.
I know that a Canadian Pilot Ace strafed German Field Marshal Rommels transport causing him severe injuries

Answer 2

Canada played an incredibly important role in WWI, possibly the most important.

Joining the war in 1914 with the british, Canada had only four divisions. During the first years of the war, Canada's divisions were sent to several differnt battles where they helped the british to some minor victories. The entire war changed in 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Vimy Ridge was considerd to be one of Germanies most fortified strongholds, and both France and Britain had failed to take the hill. After these defeats, it was decided that control of the operation would be passed over to the Canadian corps, who brought all four divisions together for the assault. As a result of dedicated training and the ingenious conception of the rolling barrage, the Canadians took the untakable hill.

from that point on, the Canadians intergral participants and victors in several major battles like the Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of Ameins. Canada's reputation grew so renowned that if the Germans found out that the Canadians were participating in a battle, they would bunker down and expect the worst.

Canada's part in WWI was so important, that to this day people in northern France and Belgium refer to the last one hundred days of WWI, as Canada's Hundred Days. Several monuments have been built specifically for Canada, the largest being the Vimy Ridge memorial.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada%27s_Hundred_Days

Answer 3

It would take far too long to answer this question here. Canada participated in the war from the beginnings and contributed quite a bit.

You should try Archives Canada and the Gov of Canada web sites that have a wealth of info on this. There are excellent photos, maps and films to answer this question. The first page offers a nice timeline.

http://vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/firstwar/canada

http://vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/firstwar/vimy

One of the main things Canada had done to contribute in WW1 was the production of explosives and munitions in general. There was the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917 when a ship containing ammunition had exploded.

Answer 4

Yes they were actually a pretty powerful force in WWI. They sent many troops over to fight for the British and French but are best known for their effort at Vimy Ridge. The Allied forces had been trying to take Vimy Ridge since the beginning of the war but wasn't able to. Canadian forces and only Canadian forces came up with a plan of attack and took Vimy Ridge and held it for the rest of the war. It is known as one of the biggest turning points in the war. Canadians also fought in other battles such as Passchendaele, but are best known for Vimy Ridge.

Answer 5

The Canadian Royal forces served with the His Majesty's royal forces. They lost many lives. After World War 1 the Canadians did not want to fight in Europe just as the Americans did not so the Parliament conscripted the Canadian men into fighting in World War 2. On the home front the Canadians went through the same things the Americans did with rationing, war manufacturing and they even put Japanese into internment camps. The Canadian men did well in the European and Pacific Theaters. Attached are links telling the story of the valiant Royal Canadian Armed Forces. Salutes to their heroes and the ones who died in both wars.

ANS 2 - There were many thousands of Canadian volunteers in World War 2

Answer 6

Canada was extremely heavily involved in WW2. Canadians from almost every city, town or village fought overseas. The Canadian Navy fought the U-boats all through WW2. The Canadian Air Force flew thousands of missions over Europe and the Atlantic. The Canadian Army was notable at Juno Beach in Normandy where they gained more ground on D-Day than any other Allied force.

Completely aside from their actions in Europe, hundreds of Canadians died defending America. Canada fought alongside the US to repel the Japanes from the Aleutian Islands at a high cost, yet today most Americans don't even know that Japan invaded their terrotory and Canada helped defend it.

Answer 7

Canada became involved in world war 1 because Canada was one of the British empire's colony and were allies with them.