Impact On Society

In 1914, the majority of Canada's population was British. Most of the volunteers who enlisted were also British. At first Canada only wanted "British" soldiers, and discriminated Asians, Blacks, Aboriginals, and anyone who wasn't white, even though they were volunteering to fight for Canada. Canada didn't want any "non-white" soldiers. They agreed only because of the huge casualties and lack of recruits. 4000 out of just 100,000 Aboriginals fought in the Canadien armed forces. Hardly anyone who wasn't white made it to the front lines, instead they were doing hard labor like loading heavy cannonballs into cannons and carrying supplies to troops in the front lines. People from "enemy" countries like Germany, Ukraine, and Austrians were sent to concentration camps, accused of spying for the enemy. Even though some came to Canada to escape, they were still discriminated and sent to concentration camps. 10,000 Ukrainians fought in the Canadian army and some were even arrested. These were Canada's darkest days.