Second World War (WWII)

The Path to War

• Memories of WWI made Canadians, including politicians, reluctant to engage in another war.
• Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King initially supported British PM Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler.
• The Munich crisis in 1938 shifted opinion towards accepting war to stop Nazism.
• Canada eventually prepared to participate in another great war.

Declaration and Mobilization

• Germany's attack on Poland in 1939 led Britain and France to declare war, with Canada joining shortly after.
• War declared by Canada on September 10, 1939.
• Initial efforts focused on limited engagement without conscription for overseas service.
• Defeat in France and Belgium in 1940 changed Canadian approach, introducing conscription for home defense.

Dieppe, Hong Kong, and Italy

• Canadian army expanded to five divisions; First Canadian Army formed in England in 1942.
• Participated in the failed Dieppe Raid and defense of Hong Kong.
• Canadians engaged in the Sicilian campaign and fighting in Italy, including at Ortona and the Gothic Line.
• Heavy casualties in Italy, with 92,757 Canadians serving and 5,764 losing their lives.

The Normandy Campaign

• Began with the Normandy Invasion (Operation Overlord) on June 6, 1944.
• The First Canadian Army played a crucial role, especially in the breakout to capture Falaise.
• Heavy fighting during the campaign resulted in significant Canadian involvement and losses.

Belgium, Holland, and Germany

• Canadians cleared coastal fortresses and fought in the Battle of the Scheldt.
• Battle of the Rhineland began in February 1945.
• Liberated Netherlands and advanced across Germany.
• Campaign cost Canadian Army 11,336 fatalities, with 237,000 serving in Northwest Europe.

The Air Campaign

• RCAF managed the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
• No. 6 (RCAF) Bomber Group formed, participating in night bombing of Germany.
• 48 RCAF squadrons overseas by war's end, with significant Canadian losses.

The Naval War

• Royal Canadian Navy expanded significantly, engaging in convoy protection and fighting U-boats.
• Participated in various campaigns including the landings in North Africa and Normandy.
• Lost 24 warships and had 2,024 fatalities.

The Industrial Contribution

• Canada's industrial effort expanded to include production of diverse war materials.
• Significant financial assistance to Britain, including a billion-dollar gift and mutual aid.
• Women played a major role in factories.

Atomic War

• Canada's role in atomic energy development was minor but included uranium supply.
• Participated in the Anglo-American agreement on atomic energy.

Relations with the Allies

• Limited role in high-direction war efforts; closer relations with the US.
• The Ogdensburg Agreement and Hyde Park Declaration strengthened US-Canada ties.

The Conscription Issue

• Conscription was a contentious issue, particularly in Quebec.
• King navigated political challenges to eventually send conscripts overseas.

Making the Peace

• Canada had limited involvement in peace negotiations post-war.
• Signed treaties with Italy, Hungary, Romania, and Finland.

Cost and Significance

• Total war expenditure was $21.8 billion, with 1,086,343 Canadians serving.
• Nearly 44,000 Canadians lost their lives.
• The war strengthened Canada's economy and international status, though it emphasized limits on influence for smaller powers.