Preview

Canadian History

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
702 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Canadian History
HISTORY ESSAY

Canada is the way it is today because of many important events in our history. I feel that the four events I have chosen have brought about the most amount of change. The first woman in the House of Commons, the battle of Vimy Ridge, the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope and the free trade agreement all play a major role in shaping Canada and Canadian culture. How we live today would not be possible if it wasn't for these incidents. They impacted Canada with political, cultural, economical and emotional change.

The battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the greatest battles in Canada's history. For the first time in World War 1, all four Canadian divisions fought together on the same battlefield. Canadians were an important part of this epic battle. They fought exceptionally and were awarded four Victoria Crosses for that single battle. The Victoria Cross is Canada's highest award for bravery. The battle fought at Vimy Ridge was the beginning of many great things to come, most importantly, Canada's independence from Britain.

Free trade came into effect in 1989; it profoundly altered the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S. In December 1984, a royal commission investigating free trade relations between the United States and Canada decided they go into a free trade agreement. It was also suggested that taxes on products crossing the border be eliminated on the number of products, this would open the American market on Canadian industry. Free trade also had a negative side, large American companies would now be able to undersell Canadian companies and therefore many Canadian jobs would be lost. Although most people were against free trade than for it, the Prime Minister refused to go back on the agreement.

A woman in the House of Commons would give a lot of young women in Canada someone to look up to and prove that women can do anything men can do. There was a lot of hesitation to nominate a female candidate in 1921's federal general

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In 1917, Canadian troops were asked to take Passchendaele Ridge. They had to break through the German lines near Ypres, Belgium. This Battle became known as the Third Battle of Ypres. The battle of Passchendaele just became a part of this larger battle. It was very important to capture the German occupied Belgium channel ports because most of Germany’s deadly submarines were operated from them. Through the three months of fighting the Canadians proved themselves as an elite fighting Corp and received honors reflecting that. In the end, 9 soldiers received the Victoria Cross in recognition of their outstanding effort at Passchendaele. This battle is remembered for its atrocious conditions, heavy causalities, and Canadian…

    • 297 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Brian Mulroney

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages

    -Brian Mulroney made the Free Trade Agreement with the United States on December 1993 to raise Canada's prosperity.…

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canada Autonomy Essay

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In Canada, there were many pilots being trained to fly airplanes. Billy Bishop was Canada’s top air ace in the First World War, due to the fact he shot down 72 enemy planes. He was the second best air pilot second to Manfred von Richthofen also known as The Red Baron. When the French and Canadian troops went to war in the Belgian town of Ypres on April 22, 1915 the German’s attacked with chlorine gas. Many soldiers suffocated or choked to death from the deadly fumes. This was the Battle of Ypres, where more than 6000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or captured. Even with the Germans using their chlorine gas, the battle lasted for a month, but neither side gained much advantage. The Battle of the Somme was near the Somme River in France in July, 1916. Canada had 24,000 casualties at the Somme. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Despite all the casualties, the Canadian troops distinguished themselves as brave soldiers during the battle of the Somme. In the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Lieutenant-General Julian Byng led Canadians to an astounding victory. The Canadian Corps captured German position, gaining more ground, and capturing more artillery than most of their allies. In this battle there were 3,598 men killed. The Battle of Vimy Ridge gave Canadians a sense of national pride and the reputation of being an elite fighting force. When the Canadians captured Passchendaele, with Canadian general Arthur Currie, the “victory” resulted in more than 200,000 casualties on each side. This included 15,000 Canadians. On August 8th to November…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The First World War invoked feelings of pride in the hearts of the Canadian citizens for the nation as victories were gained on the battlefields by Canadian armies. The victory at Vimy Ridge is one of the battles that stirred within the hearts of Canadians’ a strong pride for their nation, because “for the first time, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps had attacked and triumphed together”. In the battle there were 10 602 casualties, but this did not stop the Canadian army from defeating the enemies and taking command over the whole crest of the Ridge. This victory was a major event that instilled within the hearts of Canadians a great pride for their nation who had taken command over the whole crest of the Ridge by defeated their enemies…

    • 220 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Vimy Ridge marks the day that Canada became an independent nation. The significance of the battle was not in the actual battle itself, but rather the effects that Canada would feel nationally afterwards. The objective was a ridge that ran from the northwest to the southwest between Lens and Arras, France. The main height of land was four miles long, with it’s highest point only 475 feet above sea level. The Germans had held it since 1914, and three French attacks in 1914 and 1915 had failed to dislodge them. Canadians thought up of new skill tactics which helped Canada win the battle. Many of the soldiers who fought at Vimy Ridge astonishingly had no previous war experience. Winning this battle granted Canada with world recognition, as well as pride. For the Canadians the battle would prove to be significant during World War 1.…

    • 971 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Vimy Ridge Failure

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Battle Vimy Ridge was the most famous battle in Canadian history. Vimy Ridge was won by Canada in just a matter of days after other countries tried for years but failed. Vimy Ridge would never have been taken over without the leaders Sir Julian Byng and Sir Arthur Currie who played a huge part in the winning of the ridge. The winning of the Battle of Vimy Ridge proved to the other countries that Canada was and still is a proud and capable nation.…

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Vimy Ridge General Information The war of Vimy Ridge started on April 9th 1917 and ended April 12 during 1917 (Richard Foot 2006) The ridge was captured and obtained from the German army by the Canadian forces (Richard Foot 2006) This battle was known as Canada's biggest victory and the moment Canada gained independence because no other member of the Triple Entente were able to succeed in capturing the ridge(Richard Foot 2006)…

    • 1677 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Battle of Vimy Ridge took place between April 9th, 1917 and April 12th, 1917. The Battle of Vimy Ridge is one of the greatest victories and battles in Canada’s history.…

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Vimy Ridge Turning Point

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages

    During the first world war there were many battles of success and failure. The battle of Vimy Ridge was the first successful battle all because of Canadians. This was a turning point for all Canadians because it made them proud of their country. This battle took place on April 9,1917. From the failure of the battle of the somme, Britain and France thought it would be a good idea to turn to the Canadians. For the first time Canadian soldiers were asked to participate in the battle. They needed new strategies to finally win because they were tired of losing to Germany. “It was time for a change” says commander general Alexander Robins, of the British army.…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Vimy Ridge

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages

    On April 19th, 1917, the battle of Vimy Ridge took place at the North Eastern France. Vimy Ridge was thought to be the best military position for the German against the British / France forces due to the highland advantages. Vimy Ridge is one of the most famous battles of World War I and a Canadian general, Arthur Currie, was the key of this victory. It was the first battle that the majority of the force was consisted of the Canadians attacked together, led by a Canadian General, and achieved a magnificent victory.…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Battle At Vimy Ridge

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The battle at Vimy Ridge was one of the most important and a major battle in world war one. It occurred along the path the Canadians took south to get from Belgium into northern part of France. It happened on April 9th, 1917, it has officially been one hundred years since this horrific battle. The Canadians, led by Sir. Arthur William Currie, attacked the German soldiers on a seven-kilometre grave yard (from another battle) on a ridge. The reason the Canadians and their allies wanted to capture Vimy was because there were to high peeks on Vimy ridge, that towered over an enemy occupied named Douai plain. The Canadian corps were all commanded to take over and destroy Vimy ridge together. It was the first ever time that all four Canadian…

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The most significant event in Canada’s history would be the building of the railway. It opened…

    • 371 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canada had many consequences after the battle to capture Vimy Ridge. The battle itself changed people's perspectives about Canada. Canadians earned a good reputation among the world for their significant victory against the Germans.They were known as “ tough, effective, and courageous fighters” (Eaton and Newman 169) The Canadian troops were exceptionally brave and were prepared for all kinds of assault. This battle was also the start for Canada to become a separate nation. After Arthur Carrie was promoted to become the commander of the Canadian military, the British was no longer required to command the Canadian soldiers (Eaton and Newman 170) This shows how the British believed that the Canadians can handle things by themselves without their help. Therefore Canada had countless outcomes from the battle for Vimy Ridge.…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There is a common saying:” Nations are made in war.” According to many, Vimy Ridge was the first time when Canadians really felt a sense of national identity. Just like the famous comment made by Brigadier General Alex Cross "It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought …that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." The Ridge was a key position of the German defence system in northern France. Here the four divisions of the Canadian advanced side by side for the first time. Here the young volunteers from across the nation trained and fought as “Canadians”, not just a part of the Empire. Here the commanders invented the “rolling barrage”. Here a full-scale replica of the battlefield was built and the soldiers trained day and night. At Vimy Ridge, the Canadians captured more ground and prisoners than any previous British attack. However, the battle at Vimy came at a high cost: the 16,000 casualties brought devastation to home while victory was celebrated and the conscription debate shook the fragile unity in the country. Anyway, Vimy Ridge showed that although Canada has never had a huge army or talked about patriotism all the time, her people can fight, and fight well when they need to.…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Canadian History Essay

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Claude Belanger. “The language laws of Quebec.” Quebec History. Marianopolis College, 23 Aug. 2000. Web. 23 July 2011.…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Best Essays