Canadian woman and other civilians (Elders and Children) also had to suffer a substantial amount during the war. Firstly there were strict rationing laws set in place in order to be bale to supply the Military and the civilian population during the length of the war and because of this rationing many people had to do without goods that they were accustomed to. They also had to deal with sending the men in their liveds to fight over seas, which could have been rather emotional. Woman also had to adapt to the lack of a male work force, and many even had to replace the missing men in the workplace. While this might have been perceived as a bit of a chore for the woman of that time, it actually was an opportunity that would open many doors for woman at this time, and spark a chain reaction that would lead women to the equal gender rights they enjoy today. For Woman I would say that Canada’s involvement was in fact worth while, as the long term positive impacts outweigh the mild suffering they had to endure during the time of the actual war.
For Canadians not of English or French descent ( Native, African, Asian, German, Eastern European, etc) the War proved both to be unfair and un worthwhile. These Canadians were either forbidden to enlist, discriminated against, and even imprisoned due to their ethnic backgrounds, thus the War couldn’t have been worthwhile for them.
In the European perspective ( disregarding the Germans and Austrians of course) Canada’s involvement in the war was very worthwhile, Canada captured many important strategic sites in the course of the war and turned the tide of many battles with their stalwart soldiers. A few major victories for Canada in the war included Vimy Ridge and Paschendaele. European citizens Canada’s involvement in the war was very much worthwhile, as it liberated them from German occupation and ended the war and thus there suffering quicker. Over all, from a European perspective Canadian involvement in the conflict was defiantly worthwhile .
From and industrial and economical view point we discovered that the War was very worthwhile for Canada, not only did the mass industrial might needed to manufacture war supplies create wealth and jobs, but foreign trade also sky rockets, and all the money that was drawn from civilian population via taxes and bonds went back into the economy creating more and more wealth for the nation. On the downside, Canada was also thrown into horrible debt which toke years to repay, so as far as economy goes, I’d say Canada’s involvement was both worthwhile in some aspects, and not worthwhile in others.
After weighing the positive and negative effects of Canada’s involvement in the First World War, I would have to say that because of the long lasting, and long term positive effects that are direct outcomes of Canadian participation, our involvement in the War was in fact worthwhile. Canada would not be the nation it is today without the war, and the hardships faced by every Canadian at that time are the price that had to be paid for the happiness and freedom felt by all Canadians today. The Great War is a terrible thing, and costs millions and millions of innocent lives, but the events of the past helped shape the society of today, and that is a very worthwhile thing.
