The first world war lasted for three years. At that time Canada was a British Empire. Europe at that time was kind of unaware of war's devastation, there had never been a war like 'the great war' fought ever, so when it came time to go to war, most people were pretty excited about it. Being a soldier and enlisting was considered the greatest demonstration of patriotism, I guess it still is.
There is no simple explanation to how the first world war started, it's a long complicated list of events that each contributed to why a call to war was the only answer. Basically, it was a war of "I am going to declare war on you before you can declare war on me" and so, Germany, did just that. Concerned about the mobilization of the Russian army and subsequently having to fight a war on two fronts, they declared war on everybody over three days that August.
Canadian soldiers were enlisted to help fight for the Allied forces (France, Russia, Britain and later Italy). They were told they'd be home by Christmas but instead lived in trenches for three years, their bodies rotting around them. They experienced disease at an unprecedented rate (remember, the benefits of sterilization had not yet been realized).
The battle of Vimy Ridge is probably the greatest story of Canadian troops to come out of the first world war. Vimy Ridge, is just that...a ridge...the French had lost it to the Germans and the Canadians regained it pushing the German army backwards. They sat locked in a stalemate, conscious of the fact that there were machine guns pointed at their heads should they ever show themselves. For months they sat like this and waited. Neither army was prepared to go over the tops of their trenches, so they held fast their lines and the Canadians did a heck of a job! The French, grateful for the contribution of the Canadians, awarded Canada territory in France that still exists today.
The end of the war is also a long explanation. Basically, the Germans unrestricted submarine warfare got them into serious trouble, they sank the Lusitania, a passenger liner carrying American civilians. America entered the war in retaliation, sending 2 million fresh troops to Europe to aid the Allied forces. Germany, finally aware of the reality of the situation, surrendered to the Americans (there was no way they'd surrender to any of the other Allies they'd been fighting for three years). On November 11th 1918, the Germans signed an armistice agreement in France effectively accepting responsibility for causing the great war, they also agreed to pay billions of dollars of reparations to the Allies (specifically, the French). November 11th is symbolized by the Allied forces as a day of armistice.
Sure WWI wasn't the only war, just over 20 years later, Hitler would start WWII and I am aware that there are ongoing wars even today, but it's VERY important to remember and appreciate the sacrifice made by men and women all over the world who fought for our freedoms. I think that we take a lot in life for granted and I think it's seriously important for us to gain perspective sometimes - our husbands, brothers and fathers are no longer rotting in trenches fighting for our freedoms.
Almost every city has a war memorial, the least we can do is show up to pay our respects to those fallen and for those serving all over the world. At 11am, remember to bow your heads in silence and give thanks to all those who selflessly committed themselves to God and Country.
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