CANADA HISTORY

Building an Army

The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 saw an unprecedented response from Canada, where enthusiasm for military service gripped the country. At a time when nationalism and loyalty to the British Empire were strong, tens of thousands of men answered the call to fight overseas. The war effort became a transformative chapter in Canadian history, marking a shift in the nation's identity, values, and role on the global stage. It was during this period that the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was formed, which would go on to play a crucial role in the Allied war effort. The recruitment, training, and deployment of Canadian soldiers during the war were monumental undertakings that reshaped Canadian society, politics, and international standing.

Early Mobilization and Recruitment Challenges

At the outbreak of the war, Prime Minister Robert Borden promised that Canada would send 25,000 men to support Britain, a number that would quickly grow as the scale of the war expanded. By the end of 1914, more than 59,000 men, including several nursing sisters, had volunteered. By 1916, Borden had committed to sending half a million troops—a staggering figure considering Canada's relatively small population at the time. The year 1915 alone saw over 159,000 men volunteer for the war effort, a testament to the spirit of duty, patriotism, and the desire for adventure that permeated the country.

While some men were motivated by a sense of loyalty to the British Empire, others sought to escape the hardships of daily life, particularly in the Prairies, where farming was labor-intensive and often unrewarding. For many, enlistment provided a path out of unemployment or poverty, offering regular pay and the promise of new experiences abroad.

Methods of Recruitment

The recruitment drive was a multifaceted effort that reached into nearly every community across the country. Government officials and military recruiters adopted various approaches to fill the ranks of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. One of the most striking aspects of the recruitment campaign was the use of moral and social pressures on men of eligible age to enlist. Clergy played a pivotal role, delivering sermons that framed enlistment as a moral duty and aligning the war effort with religious teachings. Churches were often used as venues for recruiters to gather men for enlistment drives, linking the military cause to spiritual and communal values.

Women also became crucial actors in the recruitment campaign. They were encouraged to persuade their husbands, brothers, and sons to enlist. Posters and propaganda specifically targeted women, appealing to their influence within the family unit. One such poster asked: "When the war is over and someone asks your husband or your son what he did in the Great War, is he to hang his head because you would not let him go?" This emotional appeal played on women's roles as nurturers and protectors of their families' honor. In some extreme cases, women handed out white feathers—symbols of cowardice—to men who were not in uniform, implying that they were shirking their duty to their country.

The tactics used to pressure men into joining the war effort were highly effective, but they also revealed social divisions within Canada. In English-speaking Canada, the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, fueled by close ties to Britain and a shared sense of empire. British-born immigrants, who made up a significant proportion of Canada's population, were particularly eager to join the fight. However, the same could not be said for French-speaking Quebec, where recruitment was much lower. The Conscription Crisis that would emerge later in the war had its roots in this early discrepancy in enlistment.

The French Canadian Response and Alienation

Initially, the Canadian government made plans to include French Canadian units in the First Contingent of the CEF. However, Minister of Militia Sam Hughes opposed the creation of distinct French-speaking units. This decision alienated many Quebecers, who already felt marginalized by the government’s failure to respect their linguistic and cultural identity. French Canadians had less of a personal connection to the war, as their ties to France were more distant than the deep connections many British immigrants had to their homeland. Moreover, tensions over French-language rights in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan further exacerbated the divide. French Canadians viewed these issues as part of a larger pattern of discrimination and cultural erosion, which made them less inclined to support the war effort enthusiastically.

Despite these tensions, the 22nd Battalion, also known as the "Van Doos", was formed and became the most successful French-speaking unit in the war. Its exemplary performance on the battlefield demonstrated the potential of a more inclusive recruitment strategy. However, the government's reluctance to embrace French-language units from the start had already left a lasting impact on Quebec’s relationship with the war and the Canadian government.

The First Contingent and Training in England

By the time the First Contingent of 31,200 soldiers embarked from Quebec in October 1914, a majority of these volunteers were British-born. The first leg of their journey was uneventful, but their arrival in England presented immediate challenges. The men were stationed at Salisbury Plain, where they were subjected to one of the harshest winters on record. Torrential rain fell almost every day until Christmas, followed by a sudden onset of snow. The soldiers lived in miserable conditions, with inadequate shelter and equipment. Illnesses, including influenza and spinal meningitis, took a heavy toll on the troops, leading to delays in their deployment to France.

Despite these hardships, the Canadians began their rigorous training regimen under the command of British General Alderson. Over time, they were outfitted with better equipment, replacing the inadequate gear with which they had left Canada. By January 1915, the Canadian Division was considered ready for battle and moved to France. The Second Division arrived later that year, followed by the creation of the Canadian Corps, which united all Canadian divisions under a single command. The Third Division was formed in December 1915, and the Fourth Division arrived in August 1916. From then on, all four divisions fought together as part of the Canadian Corps, which would go on to achieve a formidable reputation in battles such as the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele.

The Canadian Corps and Its Impact on the War

By the time the entire Canadian Corps was mobilized, they had developed a reputation as a highly skilled and effective fighting force. General Arthur Currie, who took command of the Corps in 1917, implemented significant reforms in training and battlefield strategy that made the Canadians stand out among the Allied forces. Currie's emphasis on meticulous planning, preparation, and coordination was critical in some of the war’s most successful offensives.

The victories of the Canadian Corps not only contributed to the Allied victory but also transformed Canada’s standing on the world stage. Canada, once considered a mere appendage of the British Empire, was now seen as a nation capable of independent action and success in international affairs. This newfound prestige played a role in Canada's post-war autonomy, including its participation in the Paris Peace Conference and its membership in the League of Nations.

Conclusion: The Long-Term Effects of Recruitment and Mobilization

The recruitment and mobilization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War were pivotal moments in Canada's development as a nation. The war effort brought about profound social, political, and cultural changes. The overwhelming response from volunteers—driven by patriotism, economic hardship, and the pressures of social expectation—reflected the deep-seated values of the time. However, the war also exposed fractures within Canadian society, particularly between French and English Canada, that would have lasting effects.

By the war's end, the Canadian Corps had earned a reputation as one of the most formidable fighting forces in the war, and Canada's contributions on the battlefield solidified its position as an emerging nation on the global stage. The shared sacrifices made by soldiers from across the country helped to forge a sense of national identity that transcended regional differences. This national unity, however, was tempered by the realities of a divided society, as French Canadians, Indigenous soldiers, and others often felt excluded from the broader national narrative.

In the post-war years, the legacy of the First World War would continue to shape Canada’s political landscape, as the country grappled with issues of cultural identity, economic recovery, and its evolving role within the British Empire. The successful mobilization of Canadian forces and the eventual victory in Europe were critical milestones in Canada's journey toward nationhood, but they also laid the groundwork for the social and political challenges that would follow.