Battle of the Atlantic
Definition: The longest battle of WW2 (1939–1945), fought mainly in the Atlantic Ocean between Allied shipping and German U-boats.
Significance: Germany tried to cut off Britain’s food, fuel, and supplies.
Canadian Connection: Canada played a major role by escorting convoys, building ships, and expanding the navy. Halifax and St. John’s were key ports. Canada ended the war with the 3rd largest navy in the world.
D-Day (June 6, 1944)
Definition: The Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France (Normandy).
Significance: Marked the beginning of the end of Nazi control in Western Europe.
Canadian Connection: Canadian troops landed at Juno Beach and were among the most successful forces that day, pushing farther inland than many Allies.
Rosie the Riveter
Definition: A symbol representing women working in factories during WW2.
Significance: Challenged traditional gender roles and showed women could do industrial work.
Canadian Connection: Canadian women worked in munitions factories, shipyards, and aircraft plants, helping power Canada’s wartime economy.
Conscription (WW2)
Definition: Mandatory military service.
Significance: Caused political tension, especially in Quebec.
Canadian Connection: PM Mackenzie King promised “no conscription for overseas service” but later held a plebiscite (1942) and introduced limited conscription in 1944.
Arsenal of Democracy
Definition: Term describing countries producing weapons and supplies for the Allies.
Significance: Industrial strength helped win the war.
Canadian Connection: Canada became a major producer of planes, tanks, ships, and ammunition, earning the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy.”
Homefront (WW2)
Definition: Civilian life during wartime.
Significance: Civilians supported the war through rationing, war bonds, and factory work.
Canadian Connection: Canadians rationed food and fuel, bought Victory Bonds, and worked in war industries.
Atomic Bomb
Definition: A powerful weapon using nuclear reactions, dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Significance: Forced Japan to surrender, ending WW2.
Canadian Connection: Canada supplied uranium and scientists for the Manhattan Project.
Holocaust
Definition: The genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany.
Significance: One of the worst human rights atrocities in history.
Canadian Connection: Canada accepted very few Jewish refugees during the war (“None is too many” policy).
Germany Between the Wars & Hitler’s Promises (7 marks)
Germany faced economic collapse, hyperinflation, and unemployment
The Treaty of Versailles humiliated Germany
Weak Weimar Republic government
Hitler promised:
Jobs and economic recovery
To tear up the Treaty of Versailles
Strong leadership and national pride
To rebuild the military
To unite Germans and blame scapegoats (Jews, communists)
Policy of Appeasement & Canada’s Reaction (4 marks)
Appeasement: Giving in to Hitler’s demands to avoid war
Practiced by Britain and France (e.g., Munich Agreement, 1938)
Canada supported Britain’s approach
Many Canadians hoped appeasement would prevent another war
Dieppe Raid (1942) (8 marks)
Why: Test German defenses and gain experience for future invasions
Why Canadians chosen: Canada was eager to fight and Britain wanted to limit its own losses
Results: Heavy casualties; over 900 Canadians killed
Why it failed:
Poor planning
Strong German defenses
No element of surprise
Significance: Lessons learned helped plan D-Day
Propaganda in Canada During WW2 (4 marks)
Used posters, films, and radio
Encouraged:
Buying Victory Bonds
Supporting the war effort
Enlisting
Often used fear and patriotism
Treatment of Japanese Canadians (6 marks)
After Pearl Harbor, Japanese Canadians were seen as security threats
Over 22,000 were forced into internment camps
Lost homes, businesses, and property
Many were Canadian citizens
Apology and compensation came in 1988
