World War II
During the 1930s it became clear that many countries were not happy with the “status quo”.
In Asia, Japan wanted to expand and have colonies and an empire, like England, France, and the USA.
In Europe, Germany was not happy with the Treaty of Versailles, which blamed Germany entirely for WWI and forced her to pay damages to England and France.
The German people felt frustrated and humiliated and so turned to strong, right-wing governments who promised change.
During the 1930s it became clear that many countries were not happy with the “status quo”.
In Asia, Japan wanted to expand and have colonies and an empire, like England, France, and the USA.
In Europe, Germany was not happy with the Treaty of Versailles, which blamed Germany entirely for WWI and forced her to pay damages to England and France.
The German people felt frustrated and humiliated and so turned to strong, right-wing governments who promised change.
The World in 1939. Notice the two colours used for the British Empire (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are a different shade - after the Statute of Westminster was passed in 1931 these former colonies became "self-governing" Dominions).
You can see Germany (grey) in the heart of Europe; the Japanese Empire (yellow); the French Empire (blue); and the "neutral" countries (purple)
Adolf Hitler, former German soldier in WWI, as the leader of the Nazi party he rose to power in the 1930s when he was elected Chancellor of Germany in 1933. His policies meant to overturn the harsh sanctions of the Treaty of Versailles (1919), but his actions soon put the world on the path to a Second World War...
The Second “Conscription Crisis”
At the beginning of World War II, the Liberal government of W. L. McKenzie King promised there would be no military draft (conscription).
By 1942, the number of volunteers began to decrease, so a plebiscite (vote) was held to see how Canadians felt about conscription.
The vote split Canada once again along French/English lines: English Canadians favoured conscription, French-Canadians were against it.
At the beginning of World War II, the Liberal government of W. L. McKenzie King promised there would be no military draft (conscription).
By 1942, the number of volunteers began to decrease, so a plebiscite (vote) was held to see how Canadians felt about conscription.
The vote split Canada once again along French/English lines: English Canadians favoured conscription, French-Canadians were against it.
External Links:
Used to recruit soldiers, encourage patriotism and productivity, and sell Victory Bonds, Canadian WWII Posters were an important part of the war effort.
The Second World War (article)
Canada: A People's History - The Crucible (video)
Crash Course World History: World War II (video)