Eyes from the Ground

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of a country that fought against Canada in World War One?

Well, now's your chance to find out what it was like on the other side of the war, in the German Empire.

 
The Germans had always been enthusiastic about war and they greeted it with open arms, desperate for the chance to gain new territory. They were different in this way than the Canadians were, as our country often took the role as a conflict-avoider.




However, after the initial rush of power that comes with war, enthusiasm began to fade in Germany and morale lowered its self as the numbers of casualties kept rising. Germany was not a country that prepared for long-term wars and the economy began to struggle after a few months, remaining disorganized throughout the war. They had a tough time getting food and experienced food shortages and by 1917, hundreds of thousands of Germans suffered and died because of malnutrition and diseases experienced. In Canada, agriculture became more supported by youth of the country and they were asked to help out on farms so that they could support the warfront. Victory bonds in Canada raised over two billion dollars in order to finance the war. Canada remained in a relatively good position meanwhile, Germany struggled.


Both nations took more than their fair share of casualties. 61 000 Canadian soldiers were killed and 38 million civilians and soldiers were killed during world war one.  

Residential Schools

Residential schools reach the height of historical significance. The horrible, damaging effects of the schools didn't just the people that went to them, they transcended generations, being passed on and on, affecting thousands of Native Americans nationally.

How Residential Schools Affected:

          Parents of Children Attending: Had no way to stay in contact with their children and suffered the devastating effects of separation. The parents had to deal with the total lack of input in the care and welfare of their children which was highly stressful for them especially when they became aware of the abuse going on at the schools.

          Children Attending: The children were fully stripped of their native languages and culture and were punished if they were found practicing them. They were often abused and they were also subjected to long hours of work and chores. Children were raised without the love that parents provide for them. 

          Children and Grandchildren of the Children from Residential Schools: Feelings of alienation, shame and anger were passed down through parenting because of the lack of supportive parental figures that the people in the schools had. These individuals would often be abused and that does not leave a good foundation for healthy mental health. 

John A. Macdonald's Portrait

John A. Macdonald, Montreal, 1863. 2011. William Notman McCord Museum, Montreal, Notman Photographic Archives. http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/biography/biographi261e.shtml 

The Battle of Queenston Heights

              

(Profile Picture) Sir Issac Brock. 2016. Archive. http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=2890414

WHO CARES?

In class, we learned to rate exactly how historically significant events from the past were.

"Historical significance is the process used to evaluate what was significant about selected events, people, and developments in the past. Historians use different sets of criteria to help them make judgements about significance." http://facingthepastshapingthefuture.com/teacher-guidance/teaching-learning-strategies/history/historical-significance/


Every event ranges in significance and its historian's jobs to determine that. They have to determine whether or not an event is worth sharing with others. Historians have to think about many things when they determine historical significance and weigh the overall importance of an event.


Historical significance depends on many things.....
          Importance of event at the time
          How widespread and lasting were the consequences of event
          How much the event/incident symbolized an important issue or trend
          Which group deems it important... it usually isn't important to everyone

All these aspects of historical significance deem things important but it is crucial to recognize when events aren't important enough to share with a nation. Not everything needs to be remembered, but some things certainly do in order to not repeat history. The things that need to be remembered are considered historically significant. Not all historically significant events are well known and it's our job as a human being to recognize it and do our best to share it with the world, but sometimes we remember things we really don't need to. After all, eating a really good pb&j sandwich might be important to you at the time, but I don't think the council of world leaders would really care. Meanwhile, everyone wants know if there's a new leader because it could initiate all of the things that make an event important... especially if there's a leader as attractive as Justin Trudeau.
"Very simply put. Something of historical significance is anything that had a bearing on the situation at the period of time it took place. For example, gun powder being used in a cannon for the first time changed history. so its significance was real. Another example was at the battle of Hastings 1066 the English cavalry could not use their lances at full speed as they had no way of staying on the horse when contacting the enemy. The reason..Their didnt have stirrups to help support them in the saddle. The Normans did have them. They were invented by the Mongols and slowly spread across Europe. So stirrups were of historical significance at Hasting..They helped win the battle." -Howard Prothero

(https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-definition-of-historical-significance)