World War II

How Did We Get Here?

Appeasement into the War

Mackenzie King on Neville Chamberlain (GBR P.M.)

• My sizing up of the man... is really one who truly loves his fellow-men, and his country and would make any sacrifice for their good. That he feels himself to be a deliverer of his people from tyranny... His eyes impressed me most of all. There was a liquid quality about them which indicate keen perception and profound sympathy... He spends most of his time [in the country]... He feels he needs the quiet and nature to help him think out the problems of his country. It seems to me that in this he was eminently wise. He is a teetotaller and also a vegetarian.

Mackenzie King on Adolf HIlter

• ...really one who truly loves his fellow-men, and his country and would make any sacrifice for their good. That he feels himself to be a deliverer of his people from tyranny... His eyes indicate keen perception and profound sympathy... It seems to me that... he was eminently wise. He is a teetotaller and also a vegetarian.

Mackenzie King’s Diary

• “We have no desire for war; our people don’t want war, and we don’t want war. Remember that I, myself, have been through a war, and all the members of the Government. We know what a terrible thing war is and not one of us want to see another war.”

Mackenzie King’s Diary, Hitler’s Words

• “We have no desire for war; our people don’t want war, and we don’t want war. Remember that I, myself, have been through a war, and all the members of the Government. We know what a terrible thing war is and not one of us want to see another war.”

• First they came for the communists,and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

• Then they came for the trade unionists,and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

• Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

• Then they came for the Catholics,and I didn't speak out because I was Protestant.

• Then they came for meand there was no one left to speak out for me.

» Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

Create a Heritage Moment

Conscription

Hockey Night in Wartime Canada• Pre-WWII Toronto and Detroit were natural rivals as were Montreal and Boston

• Conn Smythe (Owner of Leafs) told the media that Montreal was dominant in the 1940s because they were not volunteering players to the war effort

•Tapped into existing anti-Quebec sentiment regarding the war effort

• Rule change allowing forward passes across the blue line

Gallery Walk

Conscription Comic Strip