History of Canada

Canada is a nation of 33 million inhabitants, occupying almost all of the northern half of the North American continent, and being the second largest country in the world. Canada has evolved in four hundred years from a group of European colonies into a federation of ten provinces and three territories, having been granted its sovereignty peacefully from its last colonial possessor, the United Kingdom.

World War II

The Second World War in Europe started on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on September 3. Canada declared war on Germany just over a week later on September 10.

Related Topics:
Second World War - September 1 - 1939 - Nazi - Poland - United Kingdom

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Canada played a major role in supporting the United Kingdom before the entry of the United States in the war in December 1941. Young Canadians fought on many battlefronts around the world - the Battle of Britain, the Battle of Hong Kong, the Dieppe Raid, the Allied invasion of Italy, the Italian campaign, the Battle of Normandy and the liberation of the Netherlands. The Italian, Norman and Dutch campaigns were particularly difficult (Ortona, Battle of the Scheldt, Operation Market Garden), and the liberated Dutch nation has been deeply grateful to Canadians ever since. Canada emerged from the war a modern and strong industrial nation, and would play an important role in the shaping of post-war international institutions such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Related Topics:
Battle of Britain - Battle of Hong Kong - Dieppe Raid - Allied invasion of Italy - Italian campaign - Battle of Normandy - Netherlands - Ortona - Battle of the Scheldt - Operation Market Garden - United Nations - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

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During the war, Canada had a policy of not allowing refugees fleeing Nazi persecution and the Holocaust to immigrate. Enemy aliens, including German, Italian, and especially Japanese Canadians, were forced into internment camps out of fear that they might collaborate with their countries of origin. Nonetheless, many Canadians with origins in these countries served with distinction in the armed forces.

Related Topics:
Refugees - The Holocaust - Internment camps

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VE Day (Victory in Europe) occurred on May 7, 1945, when Germany officially surrendered.

Related Topics:
VE Day - May 7 - 1945 - Germany

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See also: WWII Military History of Canada

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