Erm...Canada?

[mangaddict_reborn]

Just a U.S. h-s student here that takes world history. I can't help but notice my history book has a total of 5 paragraphs devoted to Canada, and there isn't really any history in them.

So my question is, has Canada like... done anything?

[Angel_Armz]

[mangaddict_reborn]

[Frundock]

Well I'll give you something to read :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

That should give you some hints and if you ever got questions feel free to ask'em

[Fission2]

GODDAMNIT no wonder Americans don't know about their neighbours up north if they don't even have us in the history texts! Then again, this is an American history textbook so it should only have history relevant to Americans. For example, would you know what the Indians did during WW2? Or is there only information about the US?

Holy crap I don't even know how to start! About Canada's and the USA's formation? There should at least be maybe...flavour text under one of the photos...

Alright for starters, Canadians are known as loyalists to the crown because your forefathers went ahead and rebelled against Britain; the ones loyal to the crown fled up north because they were tired of getting tarred and feathered. And that's what fathered your history, a war. After that, more wars, like invading Canada (unsuccessfully), or maybe your civil war later on. Then there was Vietnam, Korean, Cold War...the more I think about it the more I keep thinking that war seems to be happening in the world, at every moment that we're conscious.

Now consider WW1. Americans joined after you got your passenger boats torpedoed by the German attempt at controlling the British seas. That and that you guys got pissed that the Germans were ATTEMPTING TO INVADE YOU FROM MEXICO!!! Canadians had already fought over there in the horrid trench conditions far before the US finally declared war (understandable because you hate Britain; you guys were the rebels) and had no imperialist attachment. Canada did, and by the end of the war, we sent over a million men over to fight.

Know what happened at Yrpes? Vinny Ridge? Sommes? Paschendale? It was Canadian soldiers, blood, sweat and tactics that got the allies through those military strong holds. We sent over a 418,000 over to fight in that war; almost 600,000 enlisted and about 60,000 died in action while 155,000 were injured. Americans just sat back and watched! If Americans EVER try claiming credit for WW1, smack them twice as hard as you would a normal asshole (of course without the implication that Americans are all assholes). Americans were not considered an allied power, only an associated power. Canada was under the flag of the British Empire. Although we weren't considered an independent nation, our war contributions amounted to getting us some respect and a significant step towards our independence (we do NOT follow the queen's orders even though she's on our currency; she's just a figurehead)

Alright, WW2 bump. Granted that the Americans gave a significant contribution in terms of munitions and fighting forces later in the war, the majority of the hard work was executed by the only remaining power in Europe, Once again England and the commonwealth countries, basically the British Empire. That means that Canada, Australia, India, etc. were the only real powers helping the British stave off the attacks of the Germans.

The polish died out in a month, the English and the French declared war 2 days after Poland's' invasion; Canada declared war a week after the British did. The other countries (in overview of the war) were either neutral or already conquered by Germany by the end of the war.

France fell in 6 weeks which gives perspective on the strength of the German army. The only force that the Germans were unable to conquer was the British, because of the Royal Navy and Air forces (which once again, Canadians were a part of). Russia joined later after they were backstabed by Hitler and stopped by the terrible weather (they were SO very close to the capital; one or two more weeks of German mobility would have sealed Russia's fate and the Axis powers might very well have won).

That being said, Canadians had to take on the dog fights in the air force, to stop the German bombers from striking English cities. Canadians had to continuously give resources - food, fuel, munitions and yes, soldiers. Most convoys were destroyed by German u boats and there was no real defense against them. In terms of soldier contrubution to population size, Canada did not give as much as the other colonies because we were reluctant to rejoin and fight again after suffering such heavy casualitites the last time we fought. William Mackenzie said that this war was for the profit of the Canadians so we did not have conscription like we did in WW1 (our limited liability). Still, we sent over 1.1 million soldiers.

Canadians were sent to hold the front lines and yes oh yes, every other division upon hearing that the Canadians were there to help were greatly relieved. WE had one hellva record in our ability to fight; we relieved the French too. Look at the battle at Dieppe. (heheh go on over to Norway and tell them you're a Canadian; then see what happens when you tell them when you're an American) Then there was our contribution in the invasion of Sicily, or the invasion at the boot of Italy. At his point (D day) the Americans had declared war already and lost just as much as we did on Juno beach on the Omaha Beach (if not more).

There's more, like how our engineers fled after PM Diefenbaker canceled the Arrow project (first plane to exceed mach 2; he succumbed to the pressure of the American avian companies and canceled it) instead adopting the missile defense shield (GOD that was idiotic; fucking hell like we're joining it again). Where did all those engineers go? Why to NASA's space program of course...the beginning of how all the Canadians go over to the states to work after we've been educated and that long tradition...

All in all we're not as well known, even over shadowed by our American neighbours (and btw, the uranium for the nukes came from us, that's right) and probably because we don't have nukes (judge a country by the size of their nuclear ballistic missiles right?). We don't have the economic power you guys have (only 2% of global markets; US has 51%) but seriously, you guys should at least know more then 5 paragraphs about us in your history texts...

Join me again next time for "Canada and it's history part 2", focusing on Canadian history, like Northern and Southern Canada, Arcadia, all the fun stuff before the industrial revolution.

Desu~

[Kita-Asuna]

Oh snap that took me 20 min to read >>;;

Lol a good summary would be like:
(now don't take this the wrong way)
Canadians were more like a sacrificial lambs to the slaughter. They were always sent on next to impossible mission. But in general they often pulled out miracles and won each fight which gain significant ground towards the allies.

Often over looked was the Canadian fighter planes, although still indecisive it was stated that a Canadian pilot shot down the Red Baron.

+ to have to war over water to reach land, that must have been one of the largest triumph yet. Canada was a more newly establish country and it's economy was definitely not as stable as others would have been but for it to particpate in the war they should be credited nonetheless

Sadly in history, when a country write it's own book they only include things that make them sound good.

[Angel_Armz]

[Kita-Asuna]

I concur Vimmy Ridge would definietly be an important moment for Canada.

*a little off topic on the professional scale* Did you know Canadian often wrote message on their bombs before firing it?

But Vimmy ridge is only one out of the many other battles Canadian took place in.

[Fission2]

WOOT!!!! Canadian military history thread!!!!

Yea I overlooked the Canadian Heroes for the war; like our William Avery Bishop, ace with 72 kills and yes the red baron, terror of the skies in ww1 was indeed shot down by our captain brown

[Angel_Armz]

Don't forgot Dr. John McCrae, he wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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[Fission2]

While we're glorifying Canada, how about Charles Best and Fred Banting, the discoverers of insulin? hey there, if the treatment for diabetes isn't acclaimed in the history texts of the US then that's a large pill to swallow
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"Arguing with someone over the internet is a lot like the special Olympics. Even if you win you're still retarded" Anonymous

[Angel_Armz]

James Naismith, a Canadian that invented the sport that many Americans hold pride to, Basketball.

LOL and hes also the first the introduce the use of a helmet in American Football. Imagine all the head cracking.
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[Fission2]

Alexander Graham Bell and the mighty telephone

Sir Sanford Fleming, creator of the Time Zones

yeaaaaaaaaaaa i hope more peeps know about the contributions of Canadians now...
_________________
"Arguing with someone over the internet is a lot like the special Olympics. Even if you win you're still retarded" Anonymous

[Angel_Armz]

Never forget about the Man that ran with one leg across Canada fight for cancer research. Although he didn't finish, he inspire many to live with hope for the future.

The first woman in Space was a Canadian.

The Man who invented .... THE ZIPPER!

I'll let you kids figure it out
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[Nyghtwynd]

Then there's the War of 1812.
Canada burns down the White House and basically wins. Bet that isn't talked about much!