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War production
Canada’s industry shifted massively toward war production
Built over 800,000 military vehicles and hundreds of ships
Produced weapons, munitions, and supplies for Allied air forces.
Source:https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-home-during-the-war/the-war-economy/finance-and-war-production/ -
Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945)
Canada’s navy and merchant marine played a critical role protecting Allied convoys against German U-boats. By war’s end, Canada had the third-largest navy in the world. Source: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/wars-and-conflicts/second-world-war/battle-of-the-atlantic This is significant because it shaped Canadian National identity -
Close ties with Britain
As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada declared war shortly after Britain but did so independently (September 10, 1939) affirming its sovereignty.
Canadian troops often served under British Command, but Canada increasingly demanded more independent control. Change: Canada emerged as more independent from Britain after WW2
Continuity: Strong military and cultural ties to Britain remained. -
Support to the United States
Canada and the U.S. coordinated defense plans even before the U.S. entered the war through the Ogdensburg Agreement (1940) leading to the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense
Source: https://www.biographi.ca/en/topics/topic-match-list.php?id=1504#:~:text=After%20the%20fall%20of%20France,Permanent%20Joint%20Board%20of%20Defence. -
Financial contribution
Canada financed much of the war through victory bonds and transitioned to a modern income tax system to pay for its massive military expansion. This is imporant because it shows the dedication and support Canada provided during WW2 -
Battle of Hong Kong (December 1941)
Canada sent nearly 2,00 soldiers to defend the British colony of Hong Kong.
They faced overwhelming Japanese forces; many were killed or became prisoners of war.
Source:https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-hong-kong -
Women in the workforce
Women entered industrial jobs in large numbers to replace men who had gone to fight,
Organizations like the CWAC were created
Source:https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/collection/research-help/military-heritage/second-world-war/Pages/second-world-war.aspx -
Dieppe Raid (August 1942)
A disastrous assault on the French port of Dieppe involving almost 5,000 Canadians
Nearly 60% were killed, wounded, or captured. Lessons learned here influenced later amphibious operations, like D-Day.
Source: https://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/the-dieppe-raid/ -
Italian Campaign (1943-1945)
Canadian forces helped capture key cities such as Ortona and contributed heavily to the campaign up the Italian Peninsula.
Source: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/italian-campaign