THE HOME “FRONT”How Canadians supported the war from home

Before the war

The war increased government involvement in many aspects of Canadian Life

Small public service

NO income tax Few forms of

direct involvement in the economy

SACRIFICE AND RATIONING

1. SACRIFICE / RATIONING

Canadians were forced with food rations (honour rationing --1.5 lbs of butter, 2 lbs of sugar per MONTH)

in farming areas, students were dismissed early to help bring in the harvest

People organized fund raisers to help fund the war effort

Production in Overdrive

Production of goods reached all-time highs to support the war effort

Citizens were urged to produce as much as possible to feed and equip the troops overseas

The fact that most of the goods were exported to Europe inflated prices domestically

Businesses made enormous profits, but workers struggled due to wage controls (big issue post-war)

ROLES OF WOMEN & SUFFRAGE

2. Women and The War (A time of great

progress)Pre – World War I During World War I

Women rarely worked outside the home – only in a few fields• Nurses• Teachers• Servants• Low skill, low-

paying jobs

1.6 Million women joined the workforce during the war (approximately 40% of the female population)• War production industries• Jobs vacated by men• ‘khaki’ vote – women related to

soldiers could vote in the 1917• This strengthened the campaign

for women’s vote (suffrage)• Manitoba 1916• AB, SK 1916• ON, BC 1917

• Except Aboriginal women and immigrants

Canadian Women in World War I

3. HALIFAX EXPLOSION

DISASTER ON HOME SOIL: THE 1917 HALIFAX EXPLOSION

Halifax was the primary Atlantic port during the war, and was the chief departure point for soldiers and supplies headed across.

Traffic control was insufficient and caused frequent collisions

December 6, 1917, a French munitions ship carrying 2500+ tonnes of explosives was hit

The resulting explosion was so intense it destroyed most of the city entirely.

Heritage Minute

AFTERMATH

Visit http://www.cbc.ca/halifaxexplosion/ 1000 were killed immediately, 1000 more

would die before they could be brought to a hospital

9000+ were injured and countless people were left homeless

The wealthy Richmond region of the city was completely wiped off the map

Just the Mont Blanc and its cargo alone were worth over $3,000,000 (at the time, roughly $45 million in today’s figures)

DEVASTATION

4. PAYING FOR THE WAR

Paying for the war - 1

The Canadian government couldn’t raise enough money for its contribution to the war (new technology and large number of troops made the war expensive)

Paying for the war - 2 Victory Bonds – citizens could cash in after

the war was over https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNtzbV

VISpE “Temporary” income tax Corporate tax Loans

(from US and others)

5. PROPAGANDA

PROPAGANDA

“Propaganda is the organized distribution of information to influence thoughts, beliefs, feelings and actions.”

Appeals to emotion, patriotism and pride

Often distorts the truth by exaggerating or downplaying details or even making them up

Often associated with war, and used to boost morale and dehumanize the enemy

3. Propaganda -Publicizing the War

The Canadian government sponsored extensive propaganda campaigns to gain/keep/enhance the support of the people. Posters were printed for: Recruiting soldiers Advocating food rationing Promoting enhanced productivity Selling Victory Bonds

PROPAGANDA

PATRIOTIC IMAGERY = GOOD PROPAGANDA

After Vimy - 1917

POSTER ANALYSIS - EXAMPLE