Discussion Topic
Canada's Role in World Events: Strengthening or Weakening the Nation
Summary:
Canada's involvement in global events from World War I to the modern era has both strengthened and challenged the nation. Initially part of the British Empire, Canada made significant sacrifices in WWI, which strained its resources and caused internal divisions, notably over conscription. By WWII, Canada was more autonomous, contributing significantly to the Allied victory, bolstering its economy, and establishing itself as a sovereign power. During the Cold War, Canada played a strategic role, maintaining independence in its foreign policy. Overall, these experiences have reinforced Canada's international presence and economic stability.
Did Canada's response to world events from World War I to the modern day strengthen or weaken the country?
Canada was not consulted as to whether or not they would go to war in World War I, as they were still part, more or less, of the British Empire and felt honor bound to defend the Mother Country. Their sacrifice was significant, and more than most people realize, as they lost 67,000 killed and 173,000 wounded, in a country with less than 20 million people total. While on the winning side, I would say such a sacrifice in blood and treasure weakened both Canada and Britain.
World War II was a slightly different situation, as Canada was an independent nation as of 1931, and entered the war as a member of the British Commonwealth considerably later than Britain and France did, and by a vote of Parliament. Their contribution to the war effort was no less significant, as over a million Canadians served in the war, their military participated...
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in the D-Day landings, and their Navy and Air Force were crucial to the Allied supply effort. The threat was more grave, in my opinion, in World War II, since actual occupation of England was a possibility, and loss of the shipping lanes in the Atlantic and Pacific even more likely. While her sacrifice was great, the peace and security Canada bought with those losses was real and lasting.
Canada's contributions to either the Cold War or the War on Terror have been much more limited in scope, meeting her obligations to the NATO treaty alliance but maintaining a very limited armed forces. Blessed by geography and a relatively sustainable economy and energy supply, Canada has faced less security threats in the modern day, and I think, has felt less obligation to engage threats to her allies. Canada has thus emerged as one of the more stable economies even in the face of world recession.
Did Canada's role in world events, particularly war, make the country stronger?
I would have to say it made Canada stringer as a nation. One thing to keep in mind is that during World War II Canada was still very much considered to be part of the British Empire. Thus when England declared war on September 3. 1939, and was joined by France,Australia, and New Zealand, it was a strong political statement that Canada did not declare war until September 10, a full week later. This was a powerful nation-building moment for Canada, because it was symbolic to the rest of the world of Canada's existence as a sovereign nation that could make its own decisions on a metter of such importance.
At the outset of WWII Canada was suffering economically from the Great Depression, along with the US. War production greatly bolstered Canada's economy (which was true for the US also). Canada was already a major producer of automobiles, primarily due to US manufacturers building factories in Ontario. Canada also has mineral resources, particularly iron, aluminum, nickel, and copper, in abundance. Producing vehicles for the war effort built up Canada's manufacturing base and infrastructure, and moved them forward in the world economy. After the war, the factories were quickly converted to making civilain goods, and Canada emerged onto the world stage as an economic player, becoming the second-largest car manufacturer in the world at the end of the war.
Canada also played host to Allied forces as a training site during the war. For example, the Canadian Air Force trained over 130,000 pilots, but only about half were Canadians, the rest coming from other British Commonwealth countries. This was a great source of national pride for Canadians, who by the end of the war had the world's fourth largest air force and the world's fourth largest navy, despite having very small military forces in 1939.