Canada declares war! On September 10th, 1939, our country declared war on Germany (Canadian War Museum). This is our first time as an independent country, making our own decision as to join war or not. Prime Minister King hated the idea of going to war yet again, but he knew that this was an opportunity for Canada to show everyone how much of a contribution it can make (Bain, 168). The government of Canada, had a debate to decide the passing of the War Measures Act in the House of Commons. The Kings Cabinet produced a declaration of war that was signed by General Buchan (Canadian War Museum). September 3rd, 1939, a week before Canada declared war, a passenger liner called Athenia was torpedoed by German submarines (Canada Declares War). This was significant to the decision of Canada declaring war. The Athenia was one of Britain's boats, but Canadian passengers were also aboard the boat during the attack. Once the boat was attacked, Canada knew they had to do something. Britain and Canada both supported one another which meant they were allies throughout the war effort. Was Canada prepared for the war? That’s the question everyone wants to know. Despite its willingness to declare war, Canada was not prepared (Bain, 168). “The army had 4500 troops, 29 Bren guns, 23 anti-tank guns, 5 mortars, 16 tanks, and no artillery. The air force had 3100 members, 270 ageing aircraft's and only 19 Hurricane fighters fit for combat. The navy had 13 ships and 1819 soldiers” (Bain, 168). The Canadian government cut back on military spending due to the depression in the 1930's. Even though Canada wasn't prepared, after two days of debate, the House of Commons approved an Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne, on September 9th, 1939. This gave authority to Mackenzie King for the government to declare war (Mackenzie King and the Second World War). Prime Minister hoped that Canada’s involvement would be limited in war. He sent 40,000 troops to Britain and hoped that acting as a supplier of food and war materials would help. The Canadian government began to move quickly by making the War Measures Act (Canada Declares War). Factories began producing equipment to help with the war effort, however funding wasn't always that easy. The government introduced a series of taxes, the War Tax, on the 12th of September 1939. By the end of September, over 58,000 men and women enlisted in the Canadian forces (Canada Declares War). With the help of all the citizens in this country, we can successfully win this war.
Canadians for Victory Evelyn Jamieson
"Between 1939 and 1945 over 1.1 million Canadians serve in the army, navy and Air Forces across the globe(Evelyn Davis Jamieson).” A young woman named Evelyn Jamieson, born on a farm north of Cobourg, Ontario, had participated in World War II in the army. She attended high school in Port Hope and had a job at Goodyear tire, New Toronto In the advertising department. That is when she decided to join the CWAC, which is the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. Her family didn't have a military background but she did have a brother, who joined the Air Force and thankfully survived the war(Evelyn Davis Jamieson).
She had joined the military at age 20, she had seen all the posters asking for women to join the forces to relieve soldiers from active-duty. She was enlisted in Toronto on March 14, 1943 as W21244. She had basic training in Kitchener Ontario and graduated. She then returned to Trinity Barracks to be posted. Early in June she had become a stenographer at headquarters Company No.26 Canadian Army basic training center(Evelyn Davis Jamieson), which is a trained professional whose work involves accurately transcribing verbal (Evelyn Davis Jamieson).
Evelyn Jamieson had worked 365 days a year, 24 hours a day with several shifts. Her family didn’t know what she was doing or where she was until after the war. At the end of the war she had went to Longbranch for discharge. She had been discharged on October 24, 1945, she returned to Camp X and carried on with her work, she did so until she got married in 1946. (Evelyn Davis Jamieson). She is a very respected woman in Canada. She had played an important role in the war and contributed all her time and energy and succeeded.
Dear Editor, I am responding to your “Canada Declares War” article, that was posted on September 15th, 1939. I am from Britain and strongly agree with Canada’s declaration of war. In my opinion, the 40,000 troops that have been sent to Britain acting as a supplier of food and war materials, has and will help with the war (Canada Declares War). Without that extra help, I don’t think the country of Britain would have been so sure we could power through the war. Before Canada became an independent country, it was under British rule. If Britain went to war, Canada automatically was at war as well. Canada made their own decision to join war, and knowing if they did go to war, Canada would support my country Britain (Canada and the Second World War). Having Canada as an ally, means we will be better equipped for the war. Without Canada, we won’t be able to be trained for the air force, which is what Canada specializes in (Canada at Britain’s Side). Canada's main contribution to the Allied war effort would be the training of aircrew through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which the Royal Canadian Air Force would run, and the production of war material and foodstuffs (Canada and the World: A History). In the article, it stated that Canada wasn't prepared for war. Britain could help Canada equip and Canada can help equip Britain for war. As allies, we help one another. As a British citizen and a contributor to the war effort, I entirely believe Canada’s willingness to join war, was a good decision. This could help us Allies win the war and defeat the Axis alliance. Canada supplies most of the supplies needed for war, so that will keep us going in the war. With all the munition, technology and other supplies, Canada, Britain, France and Poland really do stand a chance at war (Canada Declares War). We have more allies, but those are just a few I listed. The Ally alliance will win the war, and defeat the Axis Alliance. As a British Citizen, I strongly agree with Canada declaring war. By declaring war, Canada is showing that they are an independent country and can fight for themselves. Canada is strong and that was proved throughout other battles and especially during World War One. Canada can yet again prove their country, and come out victorious along with Britain.
Dear Editor, I am writing from Quebec, but I am going to remain anonymous for my own personal reasons. I think that Canada declaring war was a huge mistake. We just had world war one not even 20 years ago, what makes anyone think we would be able to take on another one? We had lost so many Casualties, soldiers, civilians etc. Was it really worth it for us?
There are far many negative things to say about war then positive, I think the idea of war is ridiculous. We had such great losses in the first world war. "The total number of Military and Civilian casualties in World War I was over 37 million. There were over 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history"(World War I Casualties). According to statistics there were 65 million men mobilized to fight in the war, and 57% died (World War I Statistics). That is over half that had died worldwide, all for the sake of what? For power and earning land? Is that worth all those lives that had been lost. Also our economy is heavily impacted, not just Canada's but the whole world, the total war cost all together is approximately 186.3 billion (World War I Statistics). I would think that Germany wouldn't have wanted another war based on there debts for the first one, since after the treaty of versailles it was decided that Germany was at fault and all the expenses fell upon them. Setting aside the economy, the experience of war is horrid, "watching their friends and fellow men be ripped apart by a machine-gun burst, or vaporized by a direct hit by an artillery shell. The new weapons first used in World War I caused horrific wounds, both emotional and physical. But beyond the killing, the terrible conditions of the trenches also impacted the experience of the soldiers, as they were packed with disease, lice, rats and a boundless supply of mud" (Why was war World War 1 a bad experience for soldiers).
Therefore, I think that war is a terrible idea, and it should never be brought up, but unfortunately it has been. All these posters supporting war shouldn't be posted, it isn't reality. Despite supporting your country and being loyal to your country, war is a horrible idea to result to. We should not let history repeat itself.
Sincerely, Anonymous
Questions: 1. When did Canada declare war, and who did they declare war on? 2. If you were a Canadian citizen when the declaration of war was announced, would you agree or disagree with Canada participating in World War 2?
3. What role did Evelyn Jamieson play in war? 4. Was Canada prepared for war? Why or why not? 5. State the historical significance of Canada declaring war as an independent nation.