1914-1961 Timeline by Emma Mock

Battle of Vimy Ridge: April 9-15, 1917

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 18:57:37 UTC

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, is a very significant and defining moment for Canada. The Canadian forces accomplished this battle as a pure victory, despite multiple failed attempts by the British and French armies. Canada meticulously planned their attack on Vimy Ridge for months before executing it on April 9, 1917. Vimy Ridge marked the first occasion when all Canadian divisions fought together, chosen as a last resort. At approximately 5:30 a.m. on April 9, 1917, more than 15 000 Canadians set foot onto the ridge, with the end goal to overrun the Germans. The Canadian forces engaged in a four-day assault on Vimy Ridge, successfully capturing it on April 12, 1917. This victory was absolutely huge for Canada, but it came at a heavy price, with 3 598 soldiers killed, and another 7 000 wounded.

I believe that this is arguably one of the most important moments in Canadian history. This battle proved all nations wrong, and that Canada could function as an independent nation. Vimy Ridge boosted Canadian confidence, providing a sense of nationalism to the country, and its citizens.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand: June 28, 1914

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 19:32:00 UTC

On June 28, 1914, a man named Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, from the Serbian nationalist group The Black Hand. The Black Hand was a group of anti-Austrian Serbs that wished to liberate all Serbs and reunite Serbia and Bosnia by using terrorist methods. These methods included political murder, sabotaging, and espionage.

Many believed that the assassination of the Archduke was the spark that ignited World War One, making it one of the most important events in world history. Following the assassination, Austria-Hungary launched an ultimatum to Serbia that had an alliance with Russia. Serbia did not listen to Austria-Hungary's ultimatum, leading to the invasion of the nation, ultimately starting World War One.

I think that with or without the assassination of the Archduke, World War One still would have happened. Prior to the assassination, tensions were already very high between many European nations. Imperialism was a huge issue at this time, with nations such as France and Britain continuously expanding their empires. Other countries, like Germany and Austria-Hungary, were not for these actions and were already beginning to retaliate against Britain and France.

The Chinese Immigration Act: 1923

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 20:20:55 UTC

In the year 1923, Prime Minister Mackenzie King replaced the head tax charged to immigrants from China with the Chinese Immigration Act. This act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, was a bill that completely stopped all immigration from China. The presence of Chinese people in Canada was seen as a threat by many European Canadians, who believed they were taking away job opportunities. This act was a result of discrimination. The law required all Chinese residents in Canada to register with the federal government, failure to do so could result in deportation. Over the duration that this act was in place for, less than 100 Chinese people made it into Canada.

I do not believe that this act was a smart choice to implement. Countries make lots of money from immigration, which is why it seems strange that the government would want to do this. Especially since that the Chinese that were here were willing to work, and do it for low costs, because they did not want to go back home. Although I do believe that the Chinese that were working, were treated very poorly, and deserved much more because they did so much for our nation.

Winnipeg General Strike: 1919

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 21:01:12 UTC

A few months after the first World War ended, the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, went on strike in protest for better wages, and working conditions. After the war ended, everywhere, including Winnipeg, got hit with high unemployment rates, and an all-time low pay for those that were. The Winnipeg General Strike is largest strike in Canadian history. It involved over 30 000 workers and lasted for weeks. The Canadian government did not approve this strike, which resulted in the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) arresting many. June 21, 1919, the RCMP and the Canadian government was finished with the protests. They arrested over 30 people, and killed 2. This event is called "Bloody Saturday."

I think that is event is a crucial part of Canadian History. The Winnipeg General Strike created a sense of unionism and activism across Canada. Workers from coast to coast walked out on their employers. These employees, and even those that weren't, were very brave to pursue the strike because you do not always know what is going to happen when you walk out. The workers deserve recognition for standing up for themselves during tough times.

The Person's Case: 1928

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 21:56:49 UTC

In the late 1920s, one of the most notable events was the person's case. The Person's Case was a successful attempt to get women the right to be appointed in a senate. The Famous Five (Henrietta Edwards, Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby) were a group of women's activists, were the ones behind this case. In 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada informed them that the British North American Act did not consider any woman a "person". In 1929, the Judicial Committee of Privy Council overturned the court's decision, leading to women obtaining the right to be appointed to the senate and working in the House of Commons.

This is one of the most pivotal moments in history. Women gaining the right to be a senate and work in the House of Commons was a huge step forward into developing a modern day society. Personally, I don't think our country or the world would be where it is today, without having women in power. Women have shown that we are just as capable as any man is, and that we can do it all too.

Adolf Hitler Appointed Chancellor: 1933

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 22:33:48 UTC

In January 1933, president Hindenburg of Germany reluctantly appointed Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. With Hitler being appointed chancellor, the Nazi party had paved its way into consolidating power.

Only a year after Hitler's appointment, President Hindenburg passed away, making Hitler the new president. Shortly after Hitler obtained his power, he could manoeuvre his way into eliminating the position of chancellor entirely. After eliminating the position, Germany became a totalitarian regime.

Hitler, being appointed chancellor, was a major step for the Nazi party. Being appointed meant that they could draw more attention to the party, by using things like propaganda to get German citizens to align with their views. After assuming full power, Hitler used his power aggressively, because many people feared him, and no one was brave enough to stop him.

The Holocaust: 1941-1945

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 22:45:44 UTC

The Holocaust was a horrific event controlled by the Nazis, that was genocide of the entire Jewish community. The goal of the Holocaust was to get rid of, or exterminate, the Jews by systemically murdering them. Murders were executed the use of gas chambers that would kill hundreds of people at once. During World War II, the Holocaust was happening discreetly. Germany did not want other nations to learn of their plans and of their actions. By the end of the Holocaust, Germany systemically murdered over 6 million Jewish people, the primary targets being children, women, and elders, as they were considered as useless.

I think the Holocaust is one of the most horrific events to take place. In the world today, I think we need to do everything we possibly can to prevent another event like this from happening. I do not understand how Germany almost got away with performing these actions and not face any repercussions.

The Marshall Plan: April 3, 1948

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 23:20:48 UTC

President Truman signed the Marshall Plan in order to help Europe with post-war rehabilitation. This program got launched by the United States in order to help European economy that was still hurting following the end of the second World War. The United States provided Europe with approximately $13 billion for many European nations to rebuild their infrastructure. Every country that received funds managed to work together to build back each other's economies. This plan was incredibly successful and strengthened the relationships between the United States and its European allies.

I think that the United States was very gracious with the aid they provided to post-war Europe. The United States was not required to help Europe, but they did because not only would it support European nations, but it would also benefit themselves and their economy, making this an incredibly smart plan.

Lester B. Pearson and the Suez Crisis: July 1956

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 23:38:21 UTC

In July 1956, the Suez Crisis broke out. The Egyptian President nationalized the Suez Canal, that was previously controlled by the British and French. By Egypt taking over the canal, Britain and France would have a lack of oils supplies. Lester B. Pearson played one of the most critical roles in the crisis. At the time of the crisis, Pearson was Canada's Secretary of State for External Affairs. Pearson was the person that provided the nations with a solution to stop the tensions. He formed the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to go to the canal and keep the peace. Pearson's idea gained lots of support, which resulted in him sending a peacekeeping force to separate the countries at stake.

I think Lester B. Pearson was purely responsible for the Suez Crisis coming to peace. If we did not have Pearson, the plan to launch a peacekeeping force would probably have never happened. Without it, Britain, France, and Egypt most likely would have gone to battle to fight for control of the canal.

The Bay of Pigs: April 1961

emmam75 — 2024-06-21 23:59:19 UTC

In April 1961, the United States attempted to overthrow the Cuban government. This was a failed military operation that aimed to launch 1 400 missiles at the Bay of Pigs. The United States deeply underestimated the power of the Cuban military, and also had a severe lack of intelligence and air support that this attack required. The Cubans were armed with Soviet weapons and successfully fought off their invaders in only 3 days. This event only strengthened Cuban and Soviet relationships, which would eventually lead to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

I think that the Bay of Pigs gave Cuba a sense of independence. Having the ability to defeat a country like the United States would definitely give a country a sense of nationalism. I think that this benefited Cuba because it only strengthened their relationships, and are now backed up by powerful countries. Although I do not think this relationship is a good thing now because of boiling tensions between the United States and Russia.