Causes
What does "M.A.I.N." stand for?
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism
Who was assassinated in 1914, sparking WWI?
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
In what year did Canada join WWI?
1914
What is propaganda?
Information used to influence people’s thoughts, feelings, or actions — often biased or misleading.
True or False: Canada joined WWI in 1914 because it was an independent country.
False – Canada joined automatically because it was part of the British Empire.
Which two alliances were involved in WWI?
Triple Alliance and Triple Entente
What country was blamed for the assassination and punished by Austria-Hungary?
Serbia
Why did Canada automatically enter the war?
It was part of the British Empire.
Name one way propaganda was spread during WWI.
Posters, pamphlets, newspapers, speeches, etc.
True or False: Many enlisted to join the war because it would be short.
True. Many believed they would be "home before Christmas".
How did militarism (the belief that a country should have a strong military and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote its interests) increase tensions in Europe before WWI?
Countries built up powerful armies and navies, creating an arms race.
What is the name of the group responsible for the assassination?
The Black Hand
What were some reasons English Canadians supported the war?
Loyalty to Britain, sense of adventure, patriotism, jobs, and income.
What were common messages shown in WWI propaganda posters?
Encouraging enlistment, saving food, supporting the war financially, or demonizing the enemy.
True or False: Trench warfare was a fast and effective strategy that led to quick victories.
False – It caused a stalemate and led to slow, deadly battles.
How did imperialism (a system where one powerful nation conquers, controls and exploits one or more colonies, usually on other continents) create conflict between European powers?
Nations competed for colonies, increasing rivalries.
Which country declared war first in WWI?
Austria-Hungary on Serbia
Why did many French Canadians oppose conscription during the war?
They didn’t feel loyalty to Britain and were angry about being forced to fight.
How did propaganda try to convince men to enlist?
Used guilt, pride, fear, and patriotism — e.g., “Your country needs YOU!”
True or False: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was carried out by a group called the Black Hand.
True
Why did alliances make a small conflict more dangerous?
They created a chain reaction that pulled multiple countries into war.
How did the alliance system cause a “domino effect” after the assassination?
Countries were obligated to join in once one declared war.
Which other groups in Canada were treated unfairly or excluded during WWI despite wanting to contribute?
Black Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and other racialized groups – often not allowed to enlist at first even though they could later be conscripted.
Why was propaganda an important tool for the Canadian government during WWI?
It helped build public support, recruit soldiers, and maintain morale on the home front.
True or False: By the end of 1914, over 30,000 Canadians had volunteered to go overseas.
True