For Valour

In 1914, the world powers were preparing for battle.

The unrest in Europe had been growing over the years dating back to the French Revolution of 1789. Feelings of nationalism had surfaced among the various groups in Europe. These groups all strongly believed that people speaking the same language needed different governments from those of other languages.

These feelings of nationalism did not disappear over the years. However, nationalism was forgotten for a short time by decisions made by the Congress of Vienna, after the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815. The decision that country boundaries did not take into consideration unification of nationalities was detrimental to peace. People with the same nationality were not united. Instead they were separated into different countries. This was a recipe for more unrest.

In the late 1800s, military alliances were also forming among the European nations. This was an effort to discourage any would-be attackers. More and more, the eyes of many countries began to look beyond their boundaries. They looked to new and more promising lands. This led to great competition for new colonies, new trade markets, new sources of food and raw materials. There was great unrest among the powers of the world. Tension was rising and any disputes would surely lead to conflict among world powers.

Austria-Hungary and Serbia were two countries that were experiencing this unrest and conflict. Serbia believed that Bosnia and Herzegovina, both under Austria-Hungary's control, were rightfully Serbian territory.

This unrest came to a head when the Austrian-Hungarian heir to the throne and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914. Austria-Hungary suspected the Serbs of encouraging the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.

On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. From this seemingly minor dispute came an unleash of tension that threw the world into the Great War of 1914.

The world powers quickly took position in two alliances. They were the Allies or "Associated Powers" and the Central Powers.

On August 4th, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Canada instantly found itself in the Great War at Britain's side.

The Canadians who went to war were volunteers, civilians who had very little training.

Ironically enough, a large percentage, 39%, originally came from England, Scotland, and Ireland. Fifty-one percent were born in Canada. Many of the soldiers who enlisted did so for the adventure. The lure of Europe was great for Canadian youth. They believed there was little opportunity and excitement in Canada, and this war would last a short time, till Christmas 1914.

The Canadians first served under the British Army and Navy. However, they did not serve as one united Canadian Corps but were dispersed throughout the British Army. The British viewed Canadians as colonials, controlled by Britain. Gradually, Canada's role over the course of the war changed.

Though Canada had a small navy, it played an important role at sea in the Royal Navy and in the Royal Naval Air Service. Canada first entered the war with only two warships, the HMCS Niobe (Halifax) and the HMCS Rainbow (Victoria). These ships sailed the Canadian coasts, patrolling them for ships and submarines. When the war drew to a close, the Canadian Navy had grown to approximately 100 vessels and 5500 men. An additional 3000 men served with the Royal Navy under British command.

During the next two years of fighting, trench warfare was at a deadlock. To break the deadlock, many techniques were used. Extensive trenches and underground tunnels were built by both sides to gain the advantage.

War generated new methods of attack. Airplanes and poisonous gases were introduced into combat. As the war stretched on, the plane became an advanced observing and fighting unit. Observation balloons, grenades, machine guns, submarines and tanks became very useful in developing attack strategies.

It was not until the Battle of Arras (better known to Canadians as the Battle of Vimy Ridge 1917) that the Canadian Corps fought as one army for the first time. Soldiers from all parts of the country were joined as one force, forming the Canadian Corps. Canadians from every province, from sea to sea, both French and English went to battle as a united corps for the first time. This is an important event in Canadian history.

From previous battles, Canadians proved themselves as attack troops or storm troops. This was perceived not only by the Allies but certainly by the Germans. Their approach to warfare was considered, at the least, unorthodox by the British and the French. Initially, the Germans did not believe the Canadians were capable of defeating them. It was not until the Battle of Vimy and the days leading up to the battle that the Germans became quite aware of the unusual Canadian techniques and innovations. The Canadian troops were, indeed, attack troops. They had earned this title.

By 1917, the Central Powers were in control. However, with the arrival of the USA on the Allied side, the picture changed. By 1918, the Central Powers had been defeated, and the Peace of Paris treaties had been signed. The peace for which the Allies had fought came at a high human cost.

November 11th, 1918 at 11:00 a.m., the Great War had finally ended.

All across Canada, Canadians were celebrating the victory of the Great War. It was not only a victory but also an end to a long war. Here we see the victory celebration flow onto Yonge Street in Toronto, November 11, 1918.

In the final analysis Canada enhanced the method of warfare, with better co-operation, extensive preparation and planning, new and improved techniques of attack, elaborate communications and trench systems.

The following sections provide greater details on First World War.

• Artillery
  
• Aviation
  
• Communications and Transportation
  
• Infantry
  
• Life in the Trenches
  

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