2-WWII+Canada+HF

= Analysis of the Canadian Home Front during World War II =

By Jordan Bickham
In general, the home front was much more efficiently organized during this war in comparison to the first world war. After the experience of the previous war, they already had some knowledge of how to effectively support the war at home. This was done through a number of ways such as through political support, support from the people, creation of factories devoted to military equipment, and more that helped support the troops that were on the warfront.

During the war, the Canadian home front was very much affected in a number of ways by the conflict occurring across the sea. Towns and cities were bustling with activity due to the need to produce military equipment. Factories around these areas converted to 24/7 working military equipment production factories. Traces of the military were also seen personally as the streets filled with military personnel from not only Canadian forces, but also Allied countries in general. In addition, new industries were developed that helped contribute to supporting the war effort such as a newly expanded air force as well as naval and army bases.

Traces of the war were also seen in the media during the time period. Radio, movies, newspaper and magazines featured constant news updates as well as propaganda from the government and citizens group promoting the war effort in order to raise citizen morale and increase the effort on the home front.

The war was also supported economically not only by the government, but also by the people thems elves. In late 1941, the Wartime Prices and Trade Board (which was established in 1939), was given control of a sweeping system of wage and price controls in order to be able to financially support the war. While this raised the cost of many goods, most of the public saw the logic of this system as they realized the need to support the troops. Even so, after the Great Depression, few had much money to spend and this was made especially difficult due to increased taxes. Even so, the public was more than willing to donate their financials to the war effort in any way possible. They also tried to preserve supplies, which led to the WPTB devising a major rationing scheme that distributed meat, butter, oil, and other scarce goods in order to keep them available for the troops. While people were earning better wages than they had in 10 years (Depression), rather than saving up, they were willing to put towards the war as many bought war bonds and frequently donated to the war effort. Even school children were persuaded to buy war supporting stamps for 25 cents that would be decorated with military equipment in honor of its support.

Canadian seaports as well as coastal airports played a crucial role in the shipment of North American supplies to some of the fighting fronts as well in the war at sea. Enemy naval forces frequently came into the close proximity of British Columbia and even to the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. In fact, on th e east coast, numerous German submarines sank more than a hundred ships that were close to shore. Seeing the close proximity of the war and the threat of the enemy, coastal communities developed safety measures in order to protect themselves from enemy attacks. They would black out all the lights in the town as volunteers trained to assist the police, fire department and hospital in the event of an attack. Many volunteers in more remote areas also worked as observers for the military as they would warn them of enemy activity in the air and at sea.

Due to the emphasis on the war effort, many people qualified for active military service despite possibly being too young, too old or simply not physically qualified for the job. Some would join student cadet corps or reserve military units in order to carry out evening and weekend services while still living their “normal” lives. Many community and religious groups also volunteered to assist by knitting warm clothing, collecting literature for entertainment for the troops, and even baking goods to send to those fighting.

Much of the public also wanted to get involved in the war effort by working and producing goods for the war effort, but this actually came to be a bit difficult. In fact, the institution of National Selective Service (in 1942) effectively had control over the fate of all men and women, deciding who could join the word force or not, where they could get a job and when they were allowed to change jobs.

Women were also a critical aspect of the war effort both on the battle field and at home. As the men went off to war, these women were left to fill in the "manpo wer" that had been left behind on the home front. While many women entered in the military, as it was actually promoted and very much appreciated by society, their largest contribution overall was through their unpaid voluntary work. These women provided food, health care and supplies such as clothing not only to troops but those struggling on the home front. They supported both the public at home and the troops overseas. They knitted sweaters, performed agricultural labor, nursed troops back to health, fought on the battle field, and more as they became a crucial aspect of the war effort.

Due to propaganda as well as the emphasis on the war effort, nearly all of the population was 100% invested in assisting the war. In fact, nearly one Canadian in ten enlisted for full-time service in the armed forces. This also meant that nearly everyone had a family member or friend on the war front, making the war also a personal matter. News of those who died or who were injured in combat deeply touched communities all across Canada, contributing to their personal investment in the war effort. In general, by 1944, it was found that the majority of the Canadian public had become supporters of the war. While there were fears of a relapse of the Great Depression and war reaching home, they were still in full support of the war effort and their troops overseas. Works Cited:
 * "Life on the Homefront." //WarMuseum.ca //. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
 * Mosby, Ian. "Food on the Home Front during the Second World War." //Wartime Canada //. Digital Echidna, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .
 * "Wartime Home Front." //- The Canadian Encyclopedia //. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
 * Whittome, Amy. "Canadian Women during World War II." //Mothers of the Home Front During WWII //. University of the Fraser Valley, 14 Dec. 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. 