Significant 20th Century Events Essential to the Teaching of Canadian History
Many events happened over the course of the twentieth century that made a significant difference in shaping Canada’s identity. Canada’s contribution to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan helped form international unity between Canada and the Allied countries. The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation presented ideas that were later developed into very beneficial services Canadian citizens have today, allowing Canada to be self-dependent. The battle of Vimy Ridge in World War I resulted in international recognition for Canada and Canada’s possibility to escape from British rule in the near future. The establishment of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the foundation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and the battle of Vimy Ridge are three 20th century events essential to the teaching of Canadian history because they were all key turning points in shaping Canada as an independent nation. The establishment of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan is essential to the teaching of Canadian history because it achieved international unity between all Allied nations. Canada had a lot of air training space, excellent climatic conditions for flying, immediate access to the American industry for airplanes and parts and was close to Britain via the Atlantic route (Canada). Britain and its colonies asked Canada for this program. Sure enough, Canada agreed and took the initiative to start and fund this program to help the Allied countries with the bloody war. 58 718 personnel from Britain, Australia, and New Zealand trained in this program (Canada). Winning the war would probably have not been possible without the 131 558 pilots, air gunners, flight engineers and navigators trained in this program (Canada). Allied nations thought of Canada as a major contributor to the war effort and Canada became very notable. United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt noted of Canada as the “aerodrome of democracy” (Canada). Canada spent $2.2 billion dollars