April 5

Vimy Ridge

• When and where did the Battle of Vimy Ridge take place?
• Why was it important for the German Army to hold Vimy Ridge? Why was Vimy Ridge important to the British and their allies?
• What countries were involved?
• How did the Canadians disguise their plans for the Battle of Vimy Ridge? Did their plans work?
• How did the battle begin?
• Why were the Canadians given the task of trying to capture Vimy Ridge?
• Why was the Canadian attack at Vimy Ridge successful, when the previous attacks by the French and British Armies had failed?
• Can you find Vimy Ridge on your map/atlas?

Imagine that it is April 8, 1917 – one day before the Canadians are to attack Vimy Ridge. Assume the role of a young Canadian soldier who is waiting in one of the underground tunnels at Vimy Ridge for the call to go "over the top" and advance against the German lines. Write a letter home to their family describing how they feel as they prepare for the attack and what lies ahead. Read actual letters home from Canadian First World War Veterans in the diaries and letters section of the VAC Web site.

Many historians have argued that Canada became a nation on Easter Monday, April 9,1917, when Canadian troops attacked and captured Vimy Ridge from the Germans. When Canada declared war on Germany in 1914, they did so as a colony of Great Britain and not as a sovereign country. Have students debate whether the Canadian parliament would have declared war on Germany in 1914 had Canada been an independent country at the time.

What things might have motivated a young man to volunteer to serve his country in wartime, knowing that he might not survive?

Examine these posters.

What type of messages are found on the posters? How would they entice young Canadians to join the military?

You may research on this website.

And this website.

In WORLD HISTORY we are looking at the Renaissance