Because of how severe the Great Depression was, Canada was very unconcerned with other countries during the 1930s Mackenzie-King went to visit Hitler in Germany in 1937. King could see signs of Jewish persecution but felt it would be ill advised to get involved.

“We must seek to keep this part of the Continent free from unrest. Nothing can be gained by creating an internal problem in an effort to meet an international one” - King

1938 British PM Neville Chamberlain announced that he secured “peace for time” with Munich Agreement

Munich Agreement (Policy of Appeasement) allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia, but stop seizing any more land

Hitler ignored agreement and continued on his quest to conquer land.While Britain was eager to join the war, Canada was reluctant to join war because of WWI

Army was small4500 troopsfew dozen anti-tank guns16 tanks no modern artillery

Airforce and navy outdatedBy September there were over 58 330 volunteers

Greater pay, $1.30 for privates$60/month for spouse$30/month for child

Canadian government became more involved in planning and economy control

April 1940: established Department of Munitions and Supplies

C.D. Howe was minister

Told industries what to produce and how to produce it

Vancouver built ships for the navy

Montreal constructed planes and bombers

Howe created crown corporationsFarmers told to produce more wheat, beef, dairy, other foods

Government ran telephone companies, refined fuel, stockpiled silk for parachutes, mined uranium and controlled food production.

Policy of total war – took anything to defeat the enemy

PM King hoped contribution would remain at home

December 1939: Canada agreed to host and administer training plan where British instructors would train pilots and other flight personnel from all over the Commonwealth in Canada also known as the BCATP.

Air fields were built on the Prairies and in other locations near small towns and villages

Old aircraft were refitted and returned to service.

BCATP trained over 130 000 pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and ground staff

Total cost over $2.2 billion

The St. Louis

Aftermath of Krystalnacht