14. Why did Canada have to make up its own mind whether to join the Second World War? 15. Which countries belonged to the Axis powers? 16. Which countries belonged to the Allied powers? 17. What was the purpose of the Dieppe Raid? Was it successful?Why or Why not? 18. How did women contribute to the war effort in Canada? 19. Comment on the economy of Canada at the end of the war. 20. Why did most Canadians support the war? 21. Was Canada well prepared for war in 1939? Explain 22. Why did men join the armed forces? 23. What is the National Resources Mobilization Act? 24. What happened in the Battle of Britain?Why is this important? 25. Who did Germany sign a non-aggression pact with? Why did he sign this pact?Did he honour this pact? 26. What happened at the Dieppe raid? Why was it unsuccessful? 127. What caused the U.S to join the war? What side did they join on?

14. Canada, as a self-governing Dominion within the British Commonwealth, had the autonomy to declare war independently. While tied to Britain through historical and political links, the Statute of Westminster (1931) formally recognized Canada's independence in foreign policy. This meant that the decision of whether or not to participate in World War II rested solely with the Canadian government.<br /><br />15. The main Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. Other countries that joined the Axis included Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.<br /><br />16. The main Allied powers were Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union (after Germany invaded in 1941), the United States (after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941), and China. Canada was also a key Allied power, along with other countries like Australia, New Zealand, India, and Poland (whose government was in exile).<br /><br />17. The Dieppe Raid (August 1942) was a primarily Canadian assault on the German-occupied port of Dieppe, France. Its purpose was multi-faceted: to test the feasibility of a large-scale amphibious landing, to gather intelligence, to destroy German infrastructure, and to boost Allied morale. The raid was a disastrous failure. Heavy German defenses, poor planning, and communication problems led to high Canadian casualties. The lessons learned at Dieppe, however, proved invaluable in planning later successful landings, such as D-Day.<br /><br />18. Canadian women made significant contributions to the war effort. They filled jobs traditionally held by men who were serving overseas, working in factories producing munitions, aircraft, and ships. Many women also joined the military in non-combat roles, such as nurses, clerks, and drivers, freeing up men for combat duty. Women also volunteered in support organizations, raising money, collecting supplies, and providing comfort to soldiers and their families.<br /><br />19. The Canadian economy boomed during World War II. The demand for war materials led to rapid industrial growth and full employment. The government implemented wartime controls, rationing goods, and encouraging saving through Victory Bonds to finance the war effort. While the war brought prosperity, it also led to increased national debt and some social tensions.<br /><br />20. Most Canadians supported the war effort for various reasons. Many felt a strong tie to Britain and the Commonwealth and believed it was their duty to defend democracy against fascism. The war also provided economic opportunities and a sense of national purpose. However, there were some dissenting voices, particularly in Quebec, where conscription was a contentious issue.<br /><br />21. Canada was not well prepared for war in 1939. Its military was small and poorly equipped after years of budget cuts following World War I. The country lacked the industrial capacity to produce large quantities of war materials initially. However, Canada quickly mobilized its resources and industry, transforming itself into a significant contributor to the Allied war effort.<br /><br />22. Men joined the armed forces for a variety of reasons. Patriotism, a sense of duty, and the desire to defend their country and its values were primary motivators. For some, it was also an opportunity for adventure, employment, or to escape the hardships of the Great Depression. Social pressure and the influence of propaganda also played a role.<br /><br />23. The National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA), passed in 1940, gave the Canadian government the authority to conscript men for home defense. While it initially avoided overseas conscription, the issue remained divisive throughout the war, particularly in Quebec. Later in the war, a limited number of conscripts were sent overseas.<br /><br />24. The Battle of Britain (1940) was a crucial air battle fought between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force. Germany's objective was to gain air superiority over Britain as a prelude to a potential invasion. The RAF, despite being outnumbered, successfully defended British airspace, inflicting heavy losses on the Luftwaffe. This victory was crucial in preventing a German invasion and boosting British morale.<br /><br />25. Germany signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union (the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) in August 1939. Hitler's motivation was to secure his eastern flank and avoid a two-front war while he focused on conquering Western Europe. Stalin sought to buy time to rebuild the Soviet military. Hitler broke the pact in June 1941 when he launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union.<br /><br />26. The Dieppe Raid (addressed in question 17) was an unsuccessful raid on the German-occupied port of Dieppe. Its failure was attributed to several factors, including strong German defenses, inadequate intelligence, poor planning and coordination, and communication problems.<br /><br />27. The United States officially entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The U.S. joined the Allied side, declaring war on Japan the following day. Germany and Italy then declared war on the U.S., solidifying the global nature of the conflict.<br />