Effects of WWII on Canada - Essay Example

Effects of WWII on Canada Effects of WWII on Canada It is agreeable that World War II was the greatest struggle that mankind has ever witnessed. The enormity of this war is evidenced by the fact that the modern world is still alive to some of its consequences. The main consequences of the war were: a huge number of people killed (estimated that over 55 million people were killed), numerous injuries, destruction of property, many people affected psychologically, and spending of a lot of money. In deed, the war had far-reaching effects in nearly if not all the countries of the world than any other war in humankind history (Douglas and Brereton 1994). Historical records show that over 50 countries participated in the war and the effects were felt in the whole world. Fighting took place in nearly all parts of the world and in every continent except for Antarctica. The chief battlegrounds for the war included Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Mediterranean Sea, and North Africa. Even though historians seem not to agree entirely on the exact date when the war started, most of them consider that the invasion of Poland by Germany on September 1, 1939 without warning marked the beginning of the World War II. By September 3rd, the war had gained more momentum as France and Britain were at war with Germany. Within a week after the war had began, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia had joined the war. Six years of total war then followed, being fought over numerous kilometres. The war was fought on land, in the air, and on the sea (Zuehlke 2004). It should be noted that although many countries were involved in the World War II, major world powers were the main players as they sought for global domination. Other countries like Canada and New Zealand were just backing their dominant allies based on certain factors such as territorial and historical. It should not be lost that such involvement, although not in the scale of major world powers, resulted to more effects on these countries than in countries that played very passive or no role at all during the war. It is against this background that it is necessary to understand what effects that these countries faced. This essay will focus specifically on the effects of World War II on Canada. Before evaluating the effects of World War II on Canada, it is important to highlight the effects of the war upon the major world powers, the non- European world, international organizations, and science and technology. Understanding effects on the aforementioned countries and aspects is very crucial because the very effects have a bearing (directly or indirectly) on the effects on Canada. The war led to the total defeat of Germany (a major world power during the war) and the ultimate fall of the Nazi regime. Also, Germany was divided into four occupation zones by the victorious powers as they waited for a lasting political settlement. England, another major power, experienced devastating effects of the war as its economy was brought down by the war and had to rely upon United States aid upon recovery. France experienced enormous loss of human lives. Besides, just like England France lost its economic power during the war; this led to both countries losing their long-held power status to Soviet Union and United States (Zuehlke 2004). As a result of the war, Japan was left in ruins due to extensive bombing in the country. On the other hand, Soviet Union rose to status of power in the world as a result of the war. Although the Soviet Union had suffered immensely during the war, it had been able to build a powerful and large army occupying most of Eastern Europe after the war. Similarly, United States rose to status of power because the war stimulated its economy; depression was brought to an end and new industries built across the United States. Since the United States was spared physical destruction during the war, its economy and military build-up was so enormous that it dominated the world (Douglas and Brereton 1994). Apart from having effects on major world powers, World War II impacted on the non- European countries. Particularly, their struggle to gain national independence was stimulated and enhanced by the war. This advantage was further compounded by the weakening of the then two dominant colonies- France and Britain. Additionally, the war led to political changes especially in regard to international organizations in a bid to avert future wars. Establishment of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and International tariff regulation after the war was aimed at enhancing international cooperation thus averting future wars. Lastly, the war had impacts on science and technology; after the war, the world witnessed huge technological progress. Development of radar, television, computers, electronics, and atomic bomb after the war are some of the science and technology advancements that can be attributed to period after the war (Zuehlke 2004). Effects of war on Canada were not simply as a result of the “cloud” effects of the war that impacted the entire world, but also as a result of Canada’s involvement in the war. So, how did Canada got involved in the World War II? When the German invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Britain and France were greatly concerned. Consequently, they declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. Due to the happenings at that time, Canada’s then Prime Minister, Mackenzie King summoned parliament to make a decision on the position of the country during the war. Canada postponed declaration of war for a week as the country remained formally neutral during that period. On September 10, 1939, Canada’s Parliament approved the country’s participation in the war and declared war on Germany (Granatstein 2006). This was the first independent declaration of war by Canada in its history. The country combined its entire national efforts towards the war. In a bid to stand up for its allies, Canada summoned all its financial, industrial, and human resources in the progressing war efforts. Historians argue that the country mobilized the strongest military force than ever before. This assertion is supported by the records showing that by the time the war was ending, more than 1 million Canadian citizens had served in the military. Also, the fact that at the end of the war, Canada possessed the third-largest naval fleet and fourth-largest air force in the world is a proof that it had really mobilized the most powerful military force in its history (Douglas and Brereton 1994). Actually, a number of records and reports show that Canada was greatly involved in the World War II. In the air, on land and at sea, Canada engaged in great military campaigns was instrumental in fall of German’s Nazi regime and eventually restoration of world’s peace. Out of more than 1 million Canadians who served in the Air Force, Navy, and Army, over 54,000 were injured and more than 46,000 killed (Veterans Affairs Canada). In addition, the country made vast financial contribution towards helping its allies win the war; the financial cost by Canada is approximately over $21 billion. Moreover, Canada made considerable industrial contribution to the victory of its allies. The country supplied a wide variety of equipments used during the war; it produced and supplied to allies the following weapons: escort vessels, small arms, guns, cargo carriers, aircrafts, military vehicles, and tanks. Since Britain was unable to pay for all of these equipments, Canada financed partially for their production in a bid to help win the war. These efforts by Canada went a long way in helping its allies win the war and restore the world peace. Some historians argue that involvement of the country in the war meant that the country would experience direct and indirect effects of the war, during and after the war. That notwithstanding, most of them agree that the country’s participation did the country more good than harm, both in the short and long term (Veterans Affairs Canada 2009). It is nearly incontestable that the World War II had huge impact on each country in the world even those that were remotely involved in the war. Even if Canada was certainly not attacked, the war utterly had a massive impact on the country. Undoubtedly, the war had enormous significant economic, political, and cultural consequences on Canada; the most notable one being the conscription crisis which had a considerable effect on the unity between the Canadian Anglophones and Francophones. Nonetheless, the efforts put in the war not only established Canada as one of the main actors in the international arena, but also strengthened the country’s economy. The effects of the war on Canada revolve around these two aspects (Breithaupt 1986). As has been noted, the war made Canada to make industrial contributions to its allies. This implied that the country had to develop its industries in order to develop military equipments to be used in the war. As a result, industrial growth, including in other respect such as drugs and agricultural products, in the country grew immensely (Hayes 2007). The country already had a substantial industrial base before the war but agricultural activity was still the dominant economic activity. The war helped the country to invest more in the industrial sector so as to meet the emerging needs that were in great part due to the war. This helped the country to transform from being an agrarian society to an industrial society, subsequently rising to become one of the most industrialized countries in the world. The war played a significant role in making Canada become one of the world leaders in more than a few technological areas such as synthetic rubbers, medical research and medicines, communications, and optics among others. This vital development has been accredited to the high number of Canadians who were involved in the war and required a wide range of equipments and other materials such as foods and clothes and kits (Granatstein 2006). Development of industries in Canada as a result of the World War II is cited as one of the most notable effect of the war in two sense; creation of employment and boosting the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). During the war and after, industries manufacturing war equipments and materials and food products increased. These industries created employment for very many Canadians thereby granting them source of income to sustain themselves and meet their basic needs. High number of employed people meant that the government had reduced burden in providing for the needy which ultimately translates to accelerated economic growth and development (Zuehlke 2004). More importantly, the women who had been sidelined from the economic process for long time were able to enter into the process. Women took jobs in the industries and even performed jobs that traditionally belonged to men. Involvement of women in economic activities of the country was critical in enhancing the broader Canadian workforce (Stephen 2000). Along with that is the fact that high number of employed Canadians meant that the majority of the country’s population was productive. Besides, the impressive growth of industries during and after the war led to increased GDP of Canada. The country was producing more goods and services not only for domestic consumption but also for exports. As such, the country began to enjoy favourable balance of trade thereby accelerating its economic growth and development. The other effect of the World War II on Canada is that it enabled it to gain more autonomy and respect in the international stage. Being a small country of about 12 million people, having the third largest navy and 4th biggest air force implied that the country’s military prowess could not be ignored in the international stage as it was a force to reckon with. Similarly, Canada had demonstrated their ability to stand as an autonomous country that can potentially defend itself from the “Mother Country”- the Great Britain. As a result, Canada began to drift away from Britain as it developed its own sense of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Subsequently, the Canadians developed a more nationalistic conception and enhanced sense of pride. Canadians all over the world no longer viewed themselves as being “tied” to other countries; they no longer saw themselves as Americans, Scottish, or British, but rather as Canadians. These developments made Canada to become more respected as a country and viewed as an influential and powerful country on its own (Granatstein 2006). Internationally, Canada had gained such an enormous recognition and respect because of its successes to an extent that people across the world wanted to know more about Canada further advancing the sense of identity of the country. As a result, the country started to see unprecedented “in-flow” of people into the country as many people visited the country for a variety of reasons such as tourism and business reasons. The end result of this was that Canadian cities grew and expanded at very high rates thereby contributing significantly to the country’s economy. Due to impressive international standing of Canada, the country began to get more post-war immigrants and asylum- seekers from most parts of the world. Most of these immigrants came and settled in Canada; this explains why the modern-day Canada is a multi-cultural society (Zuehlke 2004). As a result of the social and economic changes that were being experienced in Canada, the government was prompted to initiate policies that aim at responding at them. For example, after the war the Prime Minister, Mackenzie King oversaw the initiation of major social programs by his government. Some of this programs included family allowances and unemployment insurance that were aimed at ameliorating the lives of people in Canada (Granatstein 2006). However, it should not be assumed that the effects of the World War II were positive and nothing else. It is evidently true that the war had a lot of positive effects on Canada and it played a very critical role in propelling the country’s economic and political status to be one of the most powerful and influential in the world today. The trades and skills learned in the military and generally during the war have been very useful in the civilian lives of Canadians. On the flipside, Canada lost a considerable number of young people who might have played instrumental roles in the post-war Canada, such as being scientists and leaders among others. Additionally, during the war Canadian citizens at home were negatively impacted. The war resulted to shortage of food and goods and luxury commodities were hard to find. This situation prompted the government to ration food during that period (Douglas and Brereton 1994). That notwithstanding, it is clear that the positive effects of the war far outweighs the negative effects as the war changed Canada for the better. In conclusion, it is clear that World War II had huge impact on Canada. As noted the war had two major impacts that greatly changed Canada: strengthening of the country’s economy and establishing Canada as one of the main actors in the international arena. There is a common ground that Canada’s economy witnessed unprecedented growth during the war and formed the basis of subsequent economic growth and development for the country. Canada played an immeasurable role considering that Canada is a small country and only a tenth of the country’s population served in the military during the war. Its role and successes achieved from its involvement, coupled with its emergence as having one of the most powerful military raised Canada’s international status. Besides, as noted, the war enabled Canada to create itself as an autonomous and independent country. Bibliography Breithaupt, Louis, "Canada’s Position in Post-War World Trade." Quarterly Review of Commerce (Pre-1986) 11 (2): 72-72. http://search.proquest.com/docview/225214744?accountid=45049. Douglas, W. A. B., and Brereton Greenhouse, Out of the shadows: Canada in the Second World War (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1994) Granatstein, J, "The Last Good War: An Illustrated History of Canada in the Second World War, 1939-1945," Beaver, 85 (2006) (6), 49 Hayes, G, “Saints, sinners, and soldiers: Canada’s Second World War,” Labour 59 (2007), 275- 277. http://search.proquest.com/docview/218799525?accountid=45049 Stephen, Jennifer, "Deploying Discourses of Employability and Domesticity: Womens Employment and Training Policies and the Formation of the Canadian Welfare State, 1935-1947." PhD dissertation., University of Toronto, 2000. Veterans Affairs Canada, “Canada at War: Facts and Information,” The Globe and Mail Newspaper, May 25, 2009. Zuehlke, Mark, Ortona: Canada’s Epic World War II Battle (Douglas & McIntyre; First Trade Paper Edition, 2004). Read More