From September 1944 to April 1945, Canada fought the German soldiers starting in Normandy all the way to the Netherlands, successfully liberating the Scheldt estuary, the Netherlands, and driving the Nazis back into Germany. By examining historical significance, one can see that Canada’s involvement in the liberation of the Netherlands and Europe was highly important; it ended the war, cost many Canadians their lives, created an enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands, displayed Canada’s strength as a nation, and saved numerous innocent lives. Firstly, the campaign to liberate the Netherlands and Europe ended the War in Europe. In February 1945, the Allies launched the Rhine offensive that drove German forces back over the Rhine …show more content…
This huge accomplishment earned Canada more respect from other countries and proved that they could be trusted to carry out important tasks. Lastly, Canada’s sacrifice to the freedom of the Netherlands saved many innocent lives. During the WWII, many citizens of the Netherlands were dying of starvation, as food supplies had been exhausted and the Nazi’s occupation in the country prevented supply reinforcements. Thus, when Canada liberated the Netherlands, it allowed them to parachute or trucked in food for the starving Dutch population. (The Liberation of the Netherlands, 1944-1945, www.warmuseum.ca) Since Canada was able to free the Dutch from the Germans when they did, they were able to save many citizens from starvation. It is necessary that citizens are aware of the noble accomplishments of Canadians during WWII. Ultimately, the Netherlands and the liberation of Europe are highly significant since these events ended the war in Europe, had many Canadian casualties, created a lasting bond between the Netherlands and Canada, earned Canada further international respect, and saved innocent
They Canadians defended Hong Kong till the bitter end, until they were left with no choice, but to surrender. Not only was it non-of their homes, not even part of their country. The bravery and sacrifice these men made shall always be remembered. With many that lost their lives and the rest going to a POW camp ran by the Japanese, where they were treated like animals for 3 and a half years, some where able to go home after the war. Even if some were able to go home, the trauma/PTSD suffered by these soldiers was extensive “In the years immediately after the war, the surviving Hong Kong veterans tended to keep their stories to themselves.
World War 2 also known as the Second World War started in 1939 and ended in 1945. Canada contributed and helped quite a bit during this war. Things that Canada did to help were attacking certain important targets through ground troops, they also had a good navy, and air force, which was useful. Canada helped win WW2 by their contributions of troops, air force, navy, and continuous supply of materials. Canada entered the war slightly after Britain so they could assert their independence.
Canada’s calls to war have never been because of attacks on its home soil but calls from Britain to support its war effort. During World War I, Canada’s contributions to air forces were as part of the Royal Flying Corps and Canadian accomplishments part of the Royal Flying Corps’. Because Canada had no real air force during the First World War, any Canadian that wanted to be a pilot would join the Royal Flying Corps due to lack of options in Canada. After World War I, Canada slowly began building a small air force of its own that was mostly used for training. This force was small before World War II because the need for an air force was not as visible during peacetime as it was during wartime.
Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. But it was a victory at a terrible cost, with more than 10,000 killed and wounded. The Canadian Corps was ordered to seize Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was an incredibly important battle that signified the turning point for Canada during World War 1. During the battle, all four divisions of the Canadian Army fought together as a single force. Unlike previous battles that were fought by the Allies in the war, a large amount of planning had been put into the assault in order to assure victory for the Canadians. The attack took place on April 9th, 1917; on Easter Sunday morning. The Canadians attacked the German lines, however, the Germans were not expecting the Canadian Corps’ new strategy.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge Canada played a huge role during the course of World War 1. Canada fought in many important battles such as Ypres, Somme, and Passchendaele, but Canada’s most important battle was at Vimy Ridge. The battle of Vimy Ridge took place on April 9, 1917 in France. This battle made the other nations realize that Canada was a strong country since they were able to defeat the Germans who were debatably the strongest nation at that time. Since Canada was so badly beaten at the battle of Somme with 24,000 deaths to Canadian soldiers, no one thought that Canada would stand a chance at beating Germany, but Canada, with the help of Britain, were able to prove all the doubters wrong.
Canada’s dedication to the war, one of the biggest mission failures, and affecting the outcome of future battles are the reasons the battle of Dieppe was a defining moment during World War Two. Canada demonstrated their courage and commitment to the war by assisting the Allies to defeat German forces despite losing so many troops. The battle itself was a total failure with many dead, wounded and taken prisoner, due to the poor planning and execution of the battle. Even though it was not a success, there were some important lessons learned such as they needed to change their strategy, equipment, and communications. Canada's dedication and commitment to the war especially to the battle of Dieppe proved to be a major failure and a huge success
The battle at Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada as a nation. The reasons for such success during this battle was because of the prelude to the battle, because of the fact that the battle would be the first time that an all-Canadian force had fought in a major battle, and because of innovative strategies and tactics used to defeat the enemy. Vimy Ridge was an extremely sought-after vantage point during WWI. Vimy Ridge is located in northern France, and is about eight kilometers long. The reason that Vimy Ridge was so important was because it was seen as an excellent defense point for the Germans, who captured the plain early in the war.
Germany surrendered. On Monday May 7th 1945, General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the German Army, signed three other surrender documents at the same time, one each for Great Britain, Russia, and France. The German military stated: “ We the undersigned, acting by authority of the German High Command, hereby surrender unconditionally to the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Forces and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command all forces on land, sea and in the air who are at this date under German control”. Once Germany surrendered all concentration camps were shut down and any remaining survivors were brought to safety. This event is considered one of the greatest days in Canadian history as it symbolized the end of the suffering that millions endured for years on end.
During WWII, Canada played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic and the air war over Germany. They contributed troops to the allied forces and punched far above their weight for a small nation of then only 11 million people. Because of Canada’s oversized role in the War, it established itself as a middle power. This position helped define Canada in a number of ways, primarily being one of the first non-great powers to help build the United Nations. It earned respect from other countries and with The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
To begin with, Emily Murphy is the most important woman in Canada as tha action she took to fight for the rights of women positively shaped and influenced Canada to be a superior and improved country given that she was the female magistrate who was part of the persons act and she passed the Dower Act. First of all, in an era where no such thing could have ever been dreamt of, Emily Murphy battled long to combat the discrimination of women by winning the Person's Case which thus influenced women across the nation to deem themselves valuable and able to influence Canada's prosperity. Emily Murphy struck waves amongst Canadian women with triumph in regards to the Persons Case. For instance, according to the Library and Archives of Canada, "Cairine Reay Mackay Wilson had the honour of being appointed Canada's first woman
Today, Canada is seen as a multicultural and peaceful nation that has evolved over the course of history. This great nation would never have been possible without the impact that former Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson left on this country. His achievements and insights profoundly affected and shaped Canada’s nation. First, peacekeeping is an important part of Canada’s heritage and a reflection of its fundamental beliefs that Pearson implemented after dealing with world changing situations and winning a Nobel Prize. Also, his contributions as a liberal leader as well as the flaws and controversy with Diefenbaker did in fact define this country.
One of Canada’s strengths was its major contributions to the war such as soldiers, supplies and victories that helped Canada gain a new sense of maturity. After gaining their own Commander of Canadian Corps. in 1917, Canada was seen as being less dependent on Britain, because it was slowly starting to become its own separate nation. Canada was invited to the Paris Peace Conference and given two seats. Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles in its own right as an independent country, and the identity of Canada had changed as a result of WW1.
The British and French had already attempted to take this area, and although it was valiant they still lost. This put weight on Canada’s soldiers. On April 9th, 1917, 1000 guns opened fire on German positions. 15000 Canadians attacked the Germans and after four days and 10000 casualties, Canada single handedly took Vimy Ridge (Vimy Ridge, 1). This victory gained the nation immense respect from the rest of the world.
This documentary broadened my mind to the involvement of Canadian forces in the second World War and expanded on the little knowledge I had previously. Dieppe, otherwise known as Operation Jubilee, was portrayed widely as a movement to create a second front in Europe against the Axis forces. The raid was meant to seize the port of Dieppe for six hours by attacking in the pre-dawn darkness in a coordinated, several front attack. The surprising truth about this raid, as brought to light by David O’Keefe, was that it was a pinch raid. The true goal of the attack was to steal ciphers and enigma machines to break German code.