Canada & World War I · Term 1

Vimy Ridge: Battle & Mythology

Students explore the Battle of Vimy Ridge and its significance as a defining moment in Canadian national identity, while also questioning the mythology surrounding it.

About This Topic

The Great War was not just fought in the trenches; it transformed life across Canada. This topic covers the massive mobilization of the home front, where women entered the industrial workforce in unprecedented numbers and families dealt with rationing and the 'Victory Bond' campaigns. These changes laid the groundwork for future social shifts, including the struggle for women's suffrage. The curriculum emphasizes how the war forced the federal government to take a much larger role in the lives of citizens, including the introduction of 'temporary' income tax.

However, the war also exposed deep internal fractures, most notably during the Conscription Crisis of 1917. Students examine how the mandatory military service debate pitted English Canada against French Canada, leading to riots in Quebec City and a bitter federal election. This topic comes alive through role plays and simulations of the 1917 election, where students must navigate the conflicting loyalties of the time. Students grasp the intensity of these linguistic and regional tensions faster through structured debate and peer explanation.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The 1917 Election

Assign students roles such as a mother of a soldier, a French-Canadian farmer, a conscientious objector, and a government official. They must campaign for or against the Union Government's conscription policy, culminating in a classroom vote.

⏱ 50 min·Whole Class

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Stations Rotation: Life on the Home Front

Set up stations focused on different aspects of home life: one on 'Munitionettes' (women in factories), one on Victory Gardens and rationing, and one on the introduction of income tax. Students collect evidence at each station to answer how the war changed the 'average' Canadian's life.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Wartime Elections Act

Students read a summary of the 1917 act that gave some women the vote while disenfranchising 'enemy aliens.' They discuss in pairs whether this was a genuine step toward equality or a cynical political move to win the election.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All women gained the right to vote because of their war work.

What to Teach Instead

The 1917 Wartime Elections Act only gave the vote to female relatives of soldiers and nurses serving overseas. It was a strategic move by the government to ensure support for conscription. Peer analysis of the Act's text helps students see the selective nature of this early suffrage.

Common Misconception

Quebec was the only province that opposed conscription.

What to Teach Instead

While opposition was strongest in Quebec, many farmers in the West and labor unions in Ontario also opposed it. Using a map-based collaborative investigation helps students identify pockets of resistance across the country, correcting the 'Quebec vs. the Rest' oversimplification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Conscription Crisis of 1917?

It was a political and social crisis over the mandatory enlistment of men for military service. Prime Minister Robert Borden believed it was necessary to support the troops, but it was fiercely opposed in Quebec and by many farmers and workers, leading to a deep national divide.

How did the role of women change during WWI?

With thousands of men overseas, women took on jobs in munitions factories, on farms, and in offices. This visible contribution to the war effort helped strengthen the argument for women's suffrage, though many women were expected to leave these jobs when the men returned.

Why was income tax introduced in Canada?

Income tax was introduced in 1917 as a 'temporary' measure to help pay for the massive costs of the war. Before this, the government relied mainly on customs duties. The tax became permanent as the government's role in social and economic life continued to expand.

How can active learning help students understand the Conscription Crisis?

By using simulations and role plays, students can step into the shoes of people with conflicting values. When a student has to argue against conscription from the perspective of a French-Canadian farmer, they move beyond a 'right or wrong' mindset and begin to understand the historical perspective of why the crisis was so damaging to national unity. This creates a more nuanced understanding of Canadian identity.

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