Name: ________________________
CHC2D ACADEMIC HISTORY
Unit 3: Canada in World War II (1939 - 1945)
Content Questions: (Total = 78 Marks)
Activity 1: The Long Slow Slide into World War II (10 marks)
1. How did the Treaty of Versailles influence events in Europe after World War I? (2
marks)
After World War 1, Germany had been heavily blamed and burdened with the blame
of war. The Treaty of Versailles took a lot of power and pride away from Germany.
After Hitler came to power, he wanted Germany to restore it’s status in Europe. He
wanted Germany to be one of the major powers of Europe.
2. What did Hitler do that made it easier for him to accomplish what he did? (1 mark)
Hitler began re-arming Germany in opposition to the Treaty of Versailles. He
watched the response of the League of Nations to Japan’s actions against China.
Therefore, he used this response as a guide to his plans.
3. Summarize the responses of the League of Nations to the actions of Japan, Italy,
and Germany. How effective were these responses? (4 marks)
Japan: The League of Nations recognized that Japan had illegally invaded China.
They demanded Japan to withdraw, but Japan withdrew its membership from the
League. They condemned Japan from further occupation of China.
Italy: The League of Nations threatened economic sanctions on Mussolini’s oil
imports if he did not withdraw his troops from Ethiopia. But when Mussolini
threatened war, the League backed down.
Germany: The League of Nations had understood Germany’s intentions after it’s
withdrawal from the League. Due to the Depression going on, they did not do much.
They also allowed the German invasion of Sudetenland. But when Germany
invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
All the responses except after the invasion of Poland were disappointing. Due to the
fact that the League of Nations was created in order to help each country out, it was
ironic that it was a failure and no one could help out the countries when they were in
need. But declaring war on Germany after it took Poland was important, or else
Germany would’ve kept conquering all of Europe and then the world.
, Name: ________________________
4. Could World War II have been avoided? If you would argue that it was avoidable,
explain how war between the Axis and the Allies could have been avoided? If you
would argue that it was not avoidable, explain why war between the Axis and the
Allies could not be avoided. (3 marks)
Yes the World War 2 was avoidable.
When the Treaty of Versailles was formed, Germany was completely blamed for the
war, and all its power and pride was taken away. If the treaty had been more
maturely written, by giving a fair chance to all countries, maybe Germany wouldn’t
have gone for more power.
After World War 1, all countries suffered huge losses and were in shortages. If this
fear was within Germany, Japan and Italy, the 2nd war wouldn’t have taken place.
If all countries could globally cooperate, they would’ve solved problems out
together. A little sense of humanity could’ve saved us from the great destruction.
Activity 2: Canadian Involvement Around the World (13 marks)
1. Hypothesize why the Battle of the Atlantic would become the longest and one of the
most important campaigns of the Second World War. (2 marks)
As the Axis had captured a lot of Europe, there was very little land left for the Allies.
Therefore, the Allies got their resources from North America. German U-boats
patrolled around the Atlantic Ocean and sunk a lot of ships. The Royal Canadian
Navy (RCN) was appointed to protect these ships. By the end of the war, the RCN
had saved over 25,000 ships.
2. In comparison to the experience of World War I in Canada, identify and explain how
the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence would change the way Canadians perceived
war. (2 marks)
During the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, German U-boats were within 300 km
Quebec City. Canada was not able to ship it’s supplies. This was very different for
the Canadians as in World War 1, all the war and fighting happened in Europe. This
was the first time that the war was brought so close to Canada.
3. Speculate and justify how the war would have changed if the battle of Britain had
been lost. (2 marks)
If the Battle of Britain had been lost, Britain would have lost its ability to defend itself
and counterattack against the Luftwaffe (the German air force). Britain would’ve
been captured and all of Europe would be controlled by the Germans.
4. Explain the importance of December 7, 1941 to the course of the Second World
War. (2 marks)
CHC2D ACADEMIC HISTORY
Unit 3: Canada in World War II (1939 - 1945)
Content Questions: (Total = 78 Marks)
Activity 1: The Long Slow Slide into World War II (10 marks)
1. How did the Treaty of Versailles influence events in Europe after World War I? (2
marks)
After World War 1, Germany had been heavily blamed and burdened with the blame
of war. The Treaty of Versailles took a lot of power and pride away from Germany.
After Hitler came to power, he wanted Germany to restore it’s status in Europe. He
wanted Germany to be one of the major powers of Europe.
2. What did Hitler do that made it easier for him to accomplish what he did? (1 mark)
Hitler began re-arming Germany in opposition to the Treaty of Versailles. He
watched the response of the League of Nations to Japan’s actions against China.
Therefore, he used this response as a guide to his plans.
3. Summarize the responses of the League of Nations to the actions of Japan, Italy,
and Germany. How effective were these responses? (4 marks)
Japan: The League of Nations recognized that Japan had illegally invaded China.
They demanded Japan to withdraw, but Japan withdrew its membership from the
League. They condemned Japan from further occupation of China.
Italy: The League of Nations threatened economic sanctions on Mussolini’s oil
imports if he did not withdraw his troops from Ethiopia. But when Mussolini
threatened war, the League backed down.
Germany: The League of Nations had understood Germany’s intentions after it’s
withdrawal from the League. Due to the Depression going on, they did not do much.
They also allowed the German invasion of Sudetenland. But when Germany
invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
All the responses except after the invasion of Poland were disappointing. Due to the
fact that the League of Nations was created in order to help each country out, it was
ironic that it was a failure and no one could help out the countries when they were in
need. But declaring war on Germany after it took Poland was important, or else
Germany would’ve kept conquering all of Europe and then the world.
, Name: ________________________
4. Could World War II have been avoided? If you would argue that it was avoidable,
explain how war between the Axis and the Allies could have been avoided? If you
would argue that it was not avoidable, explain why war between the Axis and the
Allies could not be avoided. (3 marks)
Yes the World War 2 was avoidable.
When the Treaty of Versailles was formed, Germany was completely blamed for the
war, and all its power and pride was taken away. If the treaty had been more
maturely written, by giving a fair chance to all countries, maybe Germany wouldn’t
have gone for more power.
After World War 1, all countries suffered huge losses and were in shortages. If this
fear was within Germany, Japan and Italy, the 2nd war wouldn’t have taken place.
If all countries could globally cooperate, they would’ve solved problems out
together. A little sense of humanity could’ve saved us from the great destruction.
Activity 2: Canadian Involvement Around the World (13 marks)
1. Hypothesize why the Battle of the Atlantic would become the longest and one of the
most important campaigns of the Second World War. (2 marks)
As the Axis had captured a lot of Europe, there was very little land left for the Allies.
Therefore, the Allies got their resources from North America. German U-boats
patrolled around the Atlantic Ocean and sunk a lot of ships. The Royal Canadian
Navy (RCN) was appointed to protect these ships. By the end of the war, the RCN
had saved over 25,000 ships.
2. In comparison to the experience of World War I in Canada, identify and explain how
the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence would change the way Canadians perceived
war. (2 marks)
During the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, German U-boats were within 300 km
Quebec City. Canada was not able to ship it’s supplies. This was very different for
the Canadians as in World War 1, all the war and fighting happened in Europe. This
was the first time that the war was brought so close to Canada.
3. Speculate and justify how the war would have changed if the battle of Britain had
been lost. (2 marks)
If the Battle of Britain had been lost, Britain would have lost its ability to defend itself
and counterattack against the Luftwaffe (the German air force). Britain would’ve
been captured and all of Europe would be controlled by the Germans.
4. Explain the importance of December 7, 1941 to the course of the Second World
War. (2 marks)
