Before the war, Canada suffered hardship during the Great Depression and the economic crisis that shrouded the inter-wars period, which leads to a reluctance to exercise the right to fully participate in international affair, as confirmed by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, giving them the reason to initially refusing to participate in this war. (Riendeau, 229) However, things took a turn for the best when the losses in the war overseas were accompanied by economic gains on the home front: World War II productivity effectively ended the Great Depression and greatly increased the labor force; industrialization rapidly advanced through both investment of capital and striking advances in technology. By the end of the Second World War, Canada boasted the third largest navy in the world with 471 vessels, 99,688 men, and 6500 women. (Brune, 443)
C. Evaluation of Sources
Defining Canada: History, Identity, and Culture is one if the most important sources in this Internal Assessment. Composed by Nick Brune and various other scholars and historians from different school of thoughts, most of whom originated from Canadian universities and schools, it is widely recognized by researchers. Written in 2002 and published by the McGraw-Hill Company, it is used as a textbook in a high school history lessons curriculum. Defining Canada offers readers with a detailed account of the entire course of history of Canada, with thorough and comprehensive descriptions and judicious but neutral analysis of events. The book consists of influences from hundreds of primary sources, which presents readers with insightful examinations. For the purpose of this Internal Assessment, the book provides a full list of war episodes along with inclusive numbers of soldiers involved. Since it was written as a textbook, the information gathered is mostly informative and without bias or partiality.
A Brief History of Canada is another overall volume in which the entire history of Canada is evaluated, with the selections on the World War II period being focused more on economic impacts and how trading and industrial control the opinions of the people. Unlike Defining Canada, which presented almost all factual information, Roger Riendeau incorporates astute investigations and somewhat judgments within his work. Even though minutiae and depictions are not as in depth as the textbook, Riendeau did a proficient job of summarizing the history of Canada while being able to integrate his viewpoint. However, since it is a book based on opinions, careful assessments must be made to grasp the full meaning and distinguished reality among prejudices, in order to utilize the book to its fullest extent. Riendeau can be best classified as a New Left historian.
D. Analysis
After World War I, Canada’s economy was devastated, and the country fell into a deep period of depression, which explained why they wanted no military involvement in World War II, but rather being only a supporting nation, producing war supplies. However, since it was committed to the Allied powers, especially France and Britain, Canada was forced to enter the war as soon as France fell into Germany’s hand.
Based on the summary of evidence, Canada was extremely important throughout the course of development of WWII, and without it, the Allied power would not have achieved victory as quick and swift as it did. Juno Beach was imperative to D-Day’s success, and the battle of Falaise cut off a very important line of retreat for the Germans, limiting their options and pushed them to the brink of surrender. Without Canada’s assistant, Great Britain would have had major difficulty in the assault on Sicily, which started the whole war campaign on Italy. On the other hand, tragic skirmishes such as the The Dieppe Raid and the invasion of Hong Kong demonstrated the devastation of war, especially towards Canada, for ten of thousands of Canadian soldiers were killed, all to contribute to a greater good.
Another mentionable contribution can be account to the British Commonwealth Air Training program, which developed and trained countless pilots to serve not only Canada, but the rest of the Allied power. However, more than half of the aviators whom attended this training and later went on to bravely fought in the war are Canadians, marking another important input of Canada to the war.
Even though Canada is still yet to receive acknowledgement from historians as a main participant in World War II, it’s self-establishment and self-recognition that became the main prize as a victor of war. Canada’s status as an independent country, precariously established in 1919, was augmented and reinforced beyond doubt after 1945, making Canada a power in her own right, even a modest one. On the other hand, it had been made painfully clear that "status" did not necessarily imply influence. Real authority in the world remained with the big powers, but it is also thanks to the small supporting middle nations that these powerhouses can acquire the foundation they need, and they should not be ignored.
On the home front, as a result of Canada’s involvement in the war, national unity between French and English was damaged, but nonetheless, national pride and confidence were enhanced. Also, typical to any war economies, Canada sprung out of the depression, strengthening and diversifying the manufacturing capacity.
E. Conclusion
When listing important theatres of World War II, from the Battle of the Atlantic, the invasions of Sicily and Normandy, to the successive liberation of Holland, Canadian forces had fought and contributed substantially to these events. Also, The Commonwealth Air Training Plan provided a significant number of significant pilots. Additionally, domestic production of war material, raw materials, and products had been vital to the Commonwealth's war effort. Furthermore, Canada came out triumphant as well, emerging from the war ready to represent a key character on the world stage. At the end of the war, she possessed the 4th largest navy in the world, on behalf of an unbalanced involvement in the Battle of the Atlantic. The war bolstered Canadians' jingoistic patriotism and ensured more intimate political, economic, and military connections between Canada and the United States. Canadians would eventually learn more about their nation's efforts on the scientific front; however, in 1945, most Canadians responded with pride when questioned about their nation’s war effort.
F. Bibliography
1 Bercuson, David J. & Granatstein, J. L., Dictionary of Canadian Military History Oxford University Press, 1994.
2. Compton’s by Britannica. Canada. 2007 Encyclopædia Britannica Online School
Edition. October 27, 2007 <http://school.eb.com/comptons/article-198184>
3. Jack Granatstein. Joining Forces. The Beaver magazine. 74+, 2000
4. Morton, Desmond. A Military History of Canada. McClelland & Stewart, 1999
5. Nick Brune & Associates. Defining Canada: History, Identity, and
Culture. Ontario: McGraw Hill Ryerson, 2002
6. Roger Riendeau. A Brief History of Canada. New York: Facts on File, Inc, 2000
7. Stacey, C. World War II: Cost and Significance. The Canadian Encyclopedia
online (Historica). October 21, 2007.
8. Canada at War. 2005. WWII.ca. May 4, 2008. <wwii.ca>
