Grade 8 Social Studies

Chapter 8: World War II

Terms:

Questions:

1. What positive impact did World War II have on Newfoundland and Labrador?

2. How did W.W. II start?

3. Name the countries on both sides of the war. (The Axis and Allies.)

4. What did the NL soldiers say “NFLD” stood for?

5. What were the three women’s branches of the Canadian Forces?

6. Describe the difference in fighting W.W. I and W.W. II.

7. What happened during the war near Newfoundland on Oct. 14, 1942?

8. What measures were taken to keep the people of NL safe during W.W. II?

9. What happened off the shores of St. Lawrence and Lawn (Burin) in Feb. 1942?

10. List 5 cultural and social changes that happened in NL during W.W. II.

11. What were some of the negative impacts on Newfoundland and Labrador as a result of W.W. II?

Chapter 8 Notes

World War II

     WWII began when the German dictator Adolf Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, and in response to his aggression, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Once again NL found itself at war.

     By 1944, Italy and Japan had joined Germany, while the Soviet Union and the USA had joined forced with Britain and France (Allied Forces)

     With the beginning of WWII, military bases were constructed in NL, resulting in many jobs and overnight prosperity for the province.

     Another positive impact of WWII was the increase demand for NL resources such as: fish, timber and iron ore. More importantly, the airways and sea routes to Europe made it a vital location to the war effort.

     In WWII Newfoundlanders joined the British Armed Forced rather than incurring the expense of keeping a Newfoundland regiment overseas.

     More Newfoundland women joined the war at this time. In fact the Canadian Armed Forces had three women branches, with over 500 women enlisting. Many served overseas in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

     Unlike WWI, much of the battle during WWII occurred on the sea and in the air, as opposed to trench warfare.

     POW – Prisoner of War – Members of the enemy armed forces usually captured in areas of conflict.

AT HOME

Volunteers

      WPA once again reassembled with many women joining and performing such tasks as: knitting woolens, sewing surgical materials and caring for local troops

     Because of its location in the Atlantic Ocean, Newfoundland was a prime location during wartime efforts. Therefore there was a very real possibility that Hitler’s forces would set their sights on overtaking Newfoundland in an effort to control the North Atlantic. It became vitally important to protect the island.

AVIATION

     The aviation industry became vitally important during WWII

     An airfield was established at present-day Gander and was used by Britain and American Airlines as a refueling and stopover point.

     It was also a starting point for transatlantic flights and bases were set up by the Canadian government at Torbay and Goose Bay while the Americans established bases at Argentia and Stephenville

WARTIME MILITARY BASES

     Canada, through an arrangement with Britain took responsibility for the defense of Newfoundland.

     As part of its military strategy the Canadian government took over the airfield at Gander and the seaplane base at Botwood.

     They later built the airport at Torbay ( St John’s International Airport)

     They began construction of the large air base at Goose Bay in 1941.

Destroyers for Bases Deal

     Signed between USA and Britain in 1940

     US gave 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for the lease of 99 years to establish bases on British-controlled territories. NL had no say in this matter.

     Immediately after entering the war, the Americans built a large naval base at Argentia (P.B.)

     A army base was also built at Fort Pepperrell (now Pleasantville) near Quidi Vidi Lake, St John’s.

     Also built the Harmon Air Force Base at Stephenville in 1941.

BLACKOUT AT ST JOHN’S

     Because of the constant threat of enemy air raids during WWII curfews and blackouts became mandatory.

     Blackouts meant that all visible lights were extinguished all night.

     Regulations called for all doors and windows to be covered with black material or shutters, lights on wharves be extinguished and cars to have visors over the headlights.

     This was strictly enforced by regular foot and air patrols. 

INTERNMENT CAMPS

     Temporary camps or places of confinement where enemies of the same ethnic background were imprisoned.

     There was such a camp set up at Pleasantville which held several dozen German and Italian “enemy aliens” and merchant seamen. By 1941 these internees had been moved to other parts of Canada.

     In 1940 a camp was also set up at Victoria to house 1000 detainees. However the Americans and British were concerned about the safety of their bases, fearing that Germany may try to attack and liberate the prisoners. The camp was completely dismantled in late 1940.

LOCAL ATTACKS OF THE WATERS OF NEWFOUNDLAND:

1. On October 14, 1942, a passenger ferry, the S.S. Caribou was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine while traveling from North Sydney to Port aux Basques.Of the 238 people on board, 137 were killed, many women and children.
2. On September 5, 1942 four iron ore ships: the Saganaga, Lord Strathcona, Evelyn B and the PLM 27 were anchored of the shores of Bell Island, when they were attacked by the German submarine U-513. All but the PLM 27 were destroyed.
3. However on November 2, 1942 both the PLM 27 and the S.S. Rose Castle were sunk nearby, by the same German submarine.

The only evidence of an armed German landing in North America during WWII was the presence of a submarine at Martin Bay, Labrador. They had set up a secret weather station there and took careful measures to disguise themselves. The station remained undiscovered for 35 years. It was discovered in the late 1970’s and in the 1980 the Canadian Coast Guard located it, dismantled it and shipped it to Ottawa

The German U-190 surrendered to the Royal Canadian Navy on May 11, 1945

about 500 miles east of Cape Race.

IMPACT OF WWII

The large amounts of money spent in Newfoundland by the USA and Canada during the war had far-reaching effect:

1. With the hiring of over 20 000 people to build and operate the bases, unemployment almost entirely disappeared.

     In 1942, one-fifth of the entire male workforce was employed on military bases in Newfoundland and Labrador and another 3600 men and women were hired to work in Canada.

     The availability of employment on the bases caused a shift in the workforce and the fishing, forestry, and mining industries faced a continuous shortage as a result of this economic dislocation. ( It occurs when a large number of people move from one type of employment to another)

     The nature of women’s employment also changed as a result of the war, they moved into non-traditional roles such as waitresses, secretaries, stenographers and ambulance drivers.

2. Because of the large influx of people, new businesses were established and people and communities prospered.

     As a result of government revenue rising, the deficit of the 1930’s was replaced with surplus and Newfoundland was even able to lend millions of interest-free dollars to Britain to sustain the war effort.

3. The standard of living rose, public health improved and people became more attracted to a modern North American lifestyle.

     The Newfoundlanders and the Americans socialized on a regular basis at concerts, dances and sporting events.

     American food, music and movies and cars became a regular part of life in Newfoundland, and items such as radios, which were once considered luxury items, were now commonplace and essential.

     Such changes as indoor plumbing, pasteurization and refrigeration took place. As well, access to education, health care and government services was seen as priority.

The establishment of military bases also had negative consequences.

1.      To make room for the base at Argentia, approximately 200 families were forced to leave their communities and find homes elsewhere.

2.      In St John’s, the arrival of servicemen created housing shortages and a law had to be passed limiting the number of dependants that Canadian servicemen could bring to the city.

3.      There were also cultural changes, in Stephenville for example, a mainly French-speaking community before the war, became English-speaking with the large influx of newcomers.

4.      The incidents of venereal disease, single parenthood and alcoholism also increased

5.      Many civilian men resented the attention that local women paid to the prosperous servicemen, which caused conflict.

6.      Another issue was the fat that military bases were designated as foreign soil, which meant that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were not allowed to use or occupy the land.