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history textbook prior learning assessment and recognition plar lesson 17 canada the second world war 1939-1945 after the war 1945-1960 1

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the second world war and beyond canada in the second world war 1939-1945 in 1939 canada found itself involved in another world conflict britain declared war on germany but canada was able to decide for itself to join britain rather than be forced to as it happened in the first world war canada like britain and france became concerned when germany and italy were becoming more and more aggressive toward neighbouring countries germany led by adolf hitler saw the world as german-only and began to persecute anyone who was not of direct german descent especially the jews many canadians joined the war effort simply because the great depression left them without any work people left in canada also began to have work producing food and weapons because of her incredible production of weapons and food for the allied cause during world war two canada was known as the arsenal of democracy a great help to the war effort canada also had a commando training institution known as camp x it was a secret base near oshawa ontario it was established on december 6 1941 and used to train secret agents spies and assassins to fight the germans the writer ian fleming based his james bond character on things he learned at the camp 2

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the canadian government at the time led by prime minister w.l mackenzie king took measures to ensure canadians had their basic needs met they introduced the unemployment insurance act in 1940 and the family allowance act in 1944 people that were out of work were allowed to collect unemployment for a period of time provided they had worked before they became unemployed families with children also received allowance called a baby bonus in order to cover necessities like food shelter and clothing the government also sold victory bonds to canadians as they did during the first world war in order to raise money for the war effort when the war was won the bonds could be cashed in for the principle plus interest prime minister king had a referendum asking canadians to vote whether they would agree to conscription again forced signing up to fight in the war many canadians voted in favour however only 28 of quebec voted in favour even so king wasn t forced to send men over until 1944 when the war was almost over because many canadians volunteered to go in addition to those opposed to the war in quebec other people known as conscientious objectors were not in agreement with the war they were citizens who refused to fight in the war for deep personal or religious reasons some examples are pacifists mennonites the amish and jehovah s witnesses they believe that christians should be neutral in world conflicts 3

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