orld War I, a terrifying ordeal that robbed 25 million humans of their lives, .
On this date Germany invaded Belgium, and when Britain .
moved to defend Belgium World War I had begun. Canada, a member of the British .
Empire, was now legally at war with Britain. The Canadian government was not .
consulted about going to war. Many Canadians were strong supporters of the British at .
this time and proudly went to war by choice. However Francophone Canadians were not .
interested in fighting for a British affair that had nothing to do with Canadian interests. In .
1918 the horror that many countries had been facing for years finally ceased. The .
League of Nations was formed to prevent the atrocities of war from occurring again. This .
organization failed miserably when in 1939 Germany invaded Poland, causing England .
and France to declare war on Germany. World War II had been instigated. One week .
later Canada also declared war, for support for Britain was still strong in the country. .
This six year war resulted in the deaths of 14 million people. .
Many believe that Canada's involvement in both World Wars I and II, was .
unnecessary. During these 10 years of fighting (both World Wars) 101700 Canadians .
were killed or missing. The loss of these lives is one that could never been replaced. .
Both wars cost the Canadian government 23 billion dollars, putting Canada into great .
debt. Also, the unity crisis created by conscription1 has been yet another damage to a .
country that has been through war. Individuals who are opposed to Canadian .
involvement in both World Wars place the value of life above freedom, rights, and .
inhumanity to man. .
Others feel Canada's past involvement in World Wars I and II acted as .
substantial steps to Canada's independence from Britain. The world wars were events in .
history that helped society move towards excepting women's performances of different .
roles in society, made Canada a reputable country, set standards of religious freedom .