An exploration of the impact of the First World War on Canadian women explored through letters.
"I am a believer in women, in their ability to do things and in their influence and power. Women set the standards for the world, and it is for us, women...
One cannot truly fathom the depth of pride and despair that many Canadian women would have felt as they watched their fathers, brothers and sons head off to war in 1914. Old newspaper articles suggest that many did not believe it would last, that the battle overseas was simply a skirmish. Confusion and division was also common. Canada did not ask to be a part of the war, rather they were automatically brought into the fight based its legal status as a dominion of Britain. Why then would Canadians want to fight in a war that was not their own? What were the transgressions committed in Europe? Who was the Archduke Ferdinand and why did he matter?
Others were proud to take up the cause, many of which had left Britain within the last decade. Many of these volunteers were shipped overseas within the first few months of war. However, the realities of conflict soon came crashing down. The zeal for supporting the mother country soon gave way to deep grief and sacrifice. Political divisions were rife between those who were pro-war, and those who wished Canada's government shed its obligations to the Empire. French-Canadians and farmers were some of those who most staunchly spoke out against Canada's unwavering support.
The landscape of Canada was forever changed by the sacrifices it made during the war. Canadians were inundated with propaganda to continue to propel support for the troops. Many provinces continued to ship men, money and supplies to the cause, underestimating the impact these provisions would have on their bottom line after the conflict ended. Furthermore, the lack of whole young men after armistice was a continual reminded of the innocence lost in the trenches. The colony became a nation forged in blood.
Many, now famous, Canadian women took up the charge to write about the complexities of a country at war. They may not have wielded rifles or bayonets, but they took up their pens to tell their stories with cutting poignancy.
Nellie McLung, a feminist and suffragette whose words grace the description of this book, wrote the novel The Next of Kin to highlight how her strong pacifist views were changed to a pro-war stance due to the enlistment of her son. She also speaks the experiences of women on the home front, and the terrible cost of needed to carry on in the face of insufferable loss.
The subject of the war also played a part in the lives of the characters in Lucy Maud Montgomery's iconic books. In Rilla of Ingleside, Anne sees her sons enlist and watches as her youngest daughter pines for her sweetheart gone off to war. We journey through Rilla's experience as the impact of war challenges the families she has known her whole life. It is a beautiful and realistic depiction of the heartbreak and difficulties of watching the ones you live take up arms. I highly recommend it.
I do, however, want to state one regret: the current structure of this collection does not delve into two painful aspects of The Great War's history. Namely the racism and discrimination confronted by non-white Canadians. When the call came to join the forces, numerous First Nations, Black and Chinese Canadians volunteered. They were met with derision, as the overall feeling was that the battle was a "white man's war."
The minorities that were admitted into the ranks of the Canadian Forces were segregated, unable to join the other troops in both camps and on ships. Others were told they would only be offered non-combatant roles and were restricted in how they could participate in the war effort. No doubt, the Canadian Expeditionary Force missed an opportunity to incorporate these valiant men into their fold.
I also do not discuss the creation of internment camps. Thousands of individuals who considered themselves Canadians were forcibly locked away because they had emigrated from Austria-Hungary, Germany or countries that fell under the guise of the Central Powers. These "enemy aliens" would have been prescribed gruelling work details with little to no reward. Unhealthy conditions and communicable disease were rampant in the settlements and added to the Canadian body count.
Although very few records remain from this dark chapter in Canadian history, we do know that these camps existed. They live on in the harrowing tales of those who survived them. In 2008, the Canadian government created the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund to help commemorate these experiences. In writing this, I too want to acknowledge the suffering they faced.
When I embarked on this journey, I was not nearly aware of everything I did not know about Canada's time during the First World War. Smatterings of images and tidbits of facts were strung together in loose visions, most of which came from a brief discussion of the war during high school. However, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, as well as Canada's 150th anniversary of becoming a country. It seemed apt to dig deep into its roots.
Thank you, my readers, for following me along this journey of discovery. I only hope that I have been able to do justice to the strength of my nation and accurately revived the voices of the women who endured so much. May the sacrifices of those who went before me never be forgotten.
Lest we forget,
Jane
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Thank you also to the following websites for help in my research:
