Answer to Question #109585 in History for ishanika

Question

What were the most significant effects of the First World War in Canada

Answer 1

The First World War had a profound impact on Canada.

1) The nation of not yet eight million fielded a fighting force of more than 620,000. The costs were appalling with more than 66,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders (then a separate Dominion) listed in the Books of Remembrance. Another 173,000 Canadians were injured during the war, with 138,000 of those being battle casualties.

2) Canada's wartime contribution, pride and sacrifice had led to an evolution in Canadian engagement outside of its borders. In 1919, Prime Minister Robert Borden had demanded a voice at the Treaty of Versailles and Canada joined the new League of Nations.

3) There were other legacies. The federal government was empowered to intrude deeper into the lives of Canadians. Income tax was introduced as a temporary measure and then became permanent. Railways were nationalized. Canada turned to Washington for staggering wartime loans and became more fully enmeshed in a North American economy. Most women received the right to vote, save for those in a few provinces and Indigenous women.

Source:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-changed-canada-emerged-from-the-first-world-war/article36985156/