Intro


 * The War, Year by Year **

World War II lasted six years, from 1939 to 1945. It was fought in Europe, North Africa, the Atlantic, and the Pacific, and involved nations on all five continents. Battles were fought on land, at sea, and in the air. In this section we'll examine some of the important contributions that Canadians made to the war. First, here's a quick year-by-year overview of the course of the war.

1939: Germany signs a non-aggression pact (an agreement not to attack one another) with the Soviet Union, then invades Poland. Britain, France, and the Commonwealth countries, including Canada, declare war on Germany.

1940: In six months, Hitler's army overwhelms Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, and finally France. Italy joins the war on Germany's side. Britain and the Commonwealth now stands alone against the Axis powers. Germany launches massive air attacks against towns and cities in England in the Battle of Britain.

1941: Having failed to capture Britain, Hitler turns east, breaking his pact with the Soviets and attacking Leningrad and Moscow.

In August, the Allies launch a disastrous raid at Dieppe, France, after which more than half of the Canadian soldiers in the attack are captured, wounded, or dead.

In December, the Japanese air force captures Hong Kong in 17 days and destroys the American base at Pearl Harbor (in Hawaii). The Americans now join the Allies against Japan and Germany.

1942: The Allies win major victories in the Pacific (at Midway) and North Africa (at El-Alamein). German U-boats step up their attacks on convoys in the Atlantic in an attempt to cut Britain off from its supply route.

1943: The Soviets push German troops back at Stalingrad. In July, the Allies move from North Africa into Sicily and up the Italian peninsula.

1944: The Allies launch a massive campaign in Normandy, France, on June 6 - D-Day. From there, they continue to push west, while the Soviet Union attacks from the east. [])

1945: Allied forces from the east and west meet in Germany. Hitler, recognizing that he's defeated, commits suicide. In May, Germany surrenders.

In August, the United States drops two atomic bombs on Japan, wiping out the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in a matter of seconds. Japan surrenders.

__ Question __ __ 1. Based on this overview, in what year would you say that the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies? Why? __


 * Key Learnings **

In this section, you will explore

- Canada's military contributions in World War II

- how Canadians, as individuals and as communities, contributed to the war effort

- the advances in technology that have changed war


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Words to Know **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Battle of the Atlantic <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">theatres of war <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">corvettes <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">D-Day <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">radar

Figure 7-1 (table) <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">The Major Alliances of World War II. In what ways do you think Britain depended on its allies?

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">BEGIN TABLE:

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Allied Side

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Britain <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1939

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: France <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1939

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Canada <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1939

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Other Commonwealth members, such as Newfoundland <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1939

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: United States <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1941

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Soviet Union <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1941

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Axis Side

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Germany <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1939

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Italy <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1940

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Countries: Japan <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Year of Entry: 1941 <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">END TABLE.