Unit VI Canada in World War II

Unit VI: Canada in World War II

Canada Between the Wars § Mac. Kenzie King and the Liberals were isolationists § They reduced military spending and the size of the military § They opposed attempts to strengthen the League of Nations

Mac. Kenzie King

Canada’s Move Towards Autonomy § The Chanak Crisis in 1921 with Turkey § Turks oppose harsh peace of the Allies – willing to continue the war § Britain mishandled the crisis, had not consulted the Dominions (assumed Canada would send troops) § PM King insisted Canada’s Parliament should decide what action Canada would take § Was the Canada’s first assertion of diplomatic independence from the UK § The crisis was a major factor in the creation of the Statute of Westminster 1931

Chanak Crisis in 1921

Canada’s Move Towards Autonomy (cont’d) § The Halibut Treaty with the US in 1923 § Treaty joint management of Pacific halibut (US & Canada) § The first treaty negotiated by Canada, independent of Britain (previously Britain would ratify any international agreement) § When informed, Britain wished to sign the treaty along with Canada but King insisted it was only a concern between Canada and the United States § Britain eventually acquiesced

§ Uncle Sam: “What I cut off goes to you Johnnie Canuck and what’s left belongs to me. ”

Canada’s Move Towards Autonomy (cont’d) § The Balfour Report of 1926 § At the Imperial Conference declared that Britain and its Dominions were each autonomous and equal § Statute of Westminster 1931, determined that the Dominions of the British Commonwealth would have independence in foreign policy § Was essentially a cost saving measure by the UK – Empire was too expensive to maintain Depression

Canada’s Foreign Policy § Followed a policy of neutrality § R. B. Bennett (PM) and King refused to help China and Ethiopia § Bennett called Hitler “a modern day Joan of Arc, who would deliver his people. ”

R. B. Bennett (PM)

Canada’s Appeasement Policy § Believed the Fascists would contain Communism § Strong anti-Semitism sentiment § Feared a British war would hurt Canada’s autonomy § Feared another bitter conflict with French. Canadians

Canada’s Military Status Before the War § 4000 men army § 10 ships navy § 50 planes air force § Total military spending: $35 million

WW 2 – Early Stage § Declared war on Germany on September 10 th § Contributions: § RCAF trained pilots for the RAF § Stepped up aid after the fall of France § Raised an army and navy § Loaning and later gave cash to the British military

WW 2 – Early Stage (part 2) § Canadians declared war against Italy in June of 1940 § Canada declared war against Japan on December 8, 1941 after its troops were attacked at Hong Kong § Mac. Kenzie King’s government instituted a draft in 1942

Relations with the US § 1940: Ogdensburg Agreement - set up joint defense planning board § 1941: Hyde Park Agreement - U. S. agreed to buy war goods from Canada, which, in turn, allowed Canadians to buy American goods § Relations deteriorated when the U. S. joined the war

Military Action § Canadians fought under British command § 1/12 of the population served in the military § Canadians suffered: § 40, 000 KIA § 54, 000 wounded

Military Action (part 2) § Battle of the Atlantic - supplied transports and escorts § Canada supplied 1000 ships § Action in the Pacific - Hong Kong § Action in Europe - France and Italy § Failed invasion at Dieppe in 1942 § Led assault on Juno Beach on D-Day

Battle of the Atlantic (posted)

Failed invasion at Dieppe in 1942

Canadian Led Assault on Juno Beach on D-Day