Canada and World War I FRQ
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1) To what extent did Canada’s involvement in the First World War contribute to Canadian Nationalism? Consequence
2) Examine the economic impact of World War One on Canada. Consequence
3) “The arguments against taking part in the First World War were stronger than those for joining in.” Discuss this view with regard to Canada. Perspectives
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1) _____ Write Question (3 pts)
a) _____ name (3 pts)
b) _____ date (3 pts)
c) _____ grammar (3 pts)
d) _____ 2 pages (3 pts)
2) _____Thesis – 1st paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____Supporting Argument #1 (3 pts)
b) _____Supporting Argument #2 (3 pts)
3) _____Supporting Argument #1 – 2nd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
4) _____Supporting Argument #2 – 3rd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
5) _____Contextualization (Summarize the time period) – 4th paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ What was occurring? (3 pts)
b) _____ Where were the events occurring at? (3 pts)
c) _____ Why were these events occurring? (3 pts)
d) _____ How were these events occurring? (3 pts)
e) _____ Who was involved and in what ways? (3 pts)
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Date of writing: 9/19/2025
Time limit: 45 minutes
Preparation time: 4 days
Chosen prompt: To what extent did Canada’s involvement in the First World War contribute to Canadian Nationalism? Consequence
Word count: 950
Grade: 100%
Canadian Nationalist sentiments were contributed to throughout the First World War by growing individualistic mindset and military achievment, and the divsions that eventually created unity. The rise of Canadian Nationalism can largely be attributed to the adoption of Canada in the League of Nations, the global recognition of Canada as a sovereign country in the Treaty of Versailles, and the victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Additional increases in nationalist attitude was also contributed to by the revolting workforce of labor unrestlessness, class split due to poor wealth distribution, and the broken promises demonstrated by the Military Service Act and ensuing Conscription Crisis of 1917.
The sense that Canada was fully capable of being an independent nation free of foreign control was engendered by the Treaty of Versailles, which thought of Canada as a self-ruling body; the incorperation of Canada into the League of Nations, and the rather elevating victory of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. At the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles internationally posed Canada as a separate nation, undoubtedly fanning the flame that was English-Canadian Nationalism, a what would be long-term effect that expanded nationalist influence. During this point in time, Canada was still a dominion of the British Empire and thus still firmly held onto foreign policies introduced prior to the Treaty. Though the Treaty of Versailles---primarily aimed at reforming subtleties throught Europe---addresed numerous issues regarding various countries other than Canada, the Treaty Fight in Canada involving Prime Minister Robert Borden and his concerns with Canada's power as a separate entity led to the ultimate adoption of the Treaty of Versailles and contributed heavily to Canadian nationalism. Alongside the Treaty of Versailles addresses, the League of Nations, an international organization created as apart of the Treaty to deal with peace terms, also had a role. With Canada's entry into the League of Nations, Canada was presented as a global actor debuting on the world stage, a notion that would add greatly to the general idea of Canada's international role in world affairs. During the war, a pivotal watershed for Canadian Nationalism is visible in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, in which four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together to capture an advantageous German position. This victory represented a forming, gradually growing sense of nationhood, demonstrating that Canada, despite its differences in terms of popular common belief, was very well capable of uniting under a unanimous desire: independence.
While a surface-level analysis of Canada's victories present a clear picture of why nationalism grew, many fail to realize that it was also disaster---such as the Conscription Crisis of 1917, the Military Service Act, a collective movement regarding labor unrest, and the class disparities that formed as a result of the war---also contributed to Canadian Nationalism despite showing the pitfalls of Canada as a nation. World War I had many consequences for nations like Canada, but the primary effecy was burden of war---a rapid growth in economy, but also a quick increase in inflation and debt. While events such as the introduction of conscription and the ratification of the Military Service Act wer put in place to facilitate the formation Canada's military force, it also created rifts on the social and political level that eventually led to a decline in voluntary service. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 could be attributed to the Military Service Act---a policy equivalent to America's drafting system that was also in place during this time---in which social divisions between English-Canadians and French-Canadians were visible. Many French-Canadians did not want to serve in a war for a coutnry they did not believe was theirs, and therefore many French-Canadians, primarily in the provice of Quebec, opposed this system. While opposition created conflict, English-Canadians who had nationalistic pride were glad to contribute toward the war effort. Likewise, French-Canadians col;ected under singular banners to show disapproval of this system. Although this disagreement can be viewed as a death of nationalism, it shows substantiates the claim that Canadian Nationlism was strong. Furthermore, labor unrest caused because of deteriorating working conditions and climbing debt made many people in the work force advocate for better working conditions. This represented unification of Canadian people and a continuation of nationalist sentiment. Additionally, class division, which was caused due to uneven wealth distribution following the war's conclusion, created the same issues, but also the same beneficial nationhood senses, that resulted from the Conscription Crisis and adoption of the Military Service Act.
The consequences on Canada's Nationalism cannot be understood without situating the provided events within the broader global context of the First World War which took place from 1914 to 1917. During this time period, as stated before, the Paris Peace Conference, Conscription Crisis of 1917, Military Service Act adoption, ratification of the Treaty of Versailles, and Joining of the League of Nations all took place. However, the reason Canada joined the war in the first place was due to Belgium's neutralist violation, causing Britain to become involved in the war, and because Canada was a dominion of the British Empire, Canada was pulled in too. The stated events, alongside the war itself, all unfolded in Europe on the Western and Eastern fronts, though the actual location of the Treaty Fight and parlimentary actions regarding the Treaty of Versaille, took place in Canada. While no significantly major singular people---aside from Prime Minister Robert Borden amd his Treaty Fight dealing with his concerns of Canada's individual power---were involved, countries such as Canada, Belgium, and Britain were undoutedly prominent governing and influential entities in that played a role in Canada's Nationalism during the First World War.
