Did Canada play a significant role in World War II?
In the late 1930’s the world was on the verge of another world war. Though powerful nations were involved in the war many people knew little about Canada's large contribution to World War II and the efforts that many Canadians made. Nearly everyone helped out in this war both at Europe and at the home front, and thanks to the determination of those involved, the allies were victorious in defeating the enemies. Allied victory in World War II was in large part aided by Canadian involvement in the form of women contributing to the war effort, the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (or BCATP), and Canada's change in economy. Canada’s presence in World War II had played a significant role in the victory at Europe.
World War II had created opportunities for some, none more significant than that of Canadian women. The women of Canada were again given the chance to work in positions once controlled by men since World War I, whether it was working on their own farmland, in factories helping out with the war production, welders, machinists, or even bus and taxi drivers. Without the support of Canadian women, the men would have had to do the work at home, which meant there would be fewer soldiers available to fight in Europe and less products being made. Even the ones who couldn’t get into the workforce worked as volunteers, knitting scarves and socks, serving coffee and sandwiches at army canteens and sending packages to lonely soldiers. Thanks to the hard efforts of Canadian women in the time of war, many felt their presence and appreciated their hard work. Women who worked in this time may have also helped pave the way for other women who have successful careers presently and are so well recognized by many. Though it was the 1940’s, the life of a woman had not changed since World War I. They were still getting paid less in their traditional jobs and very few woman worked at all, but their contribution to the war effort didn’t just help them win the war but it was just that extra step towards their freedom and rights as well as improving their social and economic status.
