Road
THE
Teacher’s Guide
TO PEACE TO PEACE
The Road to Peace,
Dear Educator:
Grades 4 to 6
Thank you for your participation in this Veterans' Week activity. Veterans Affairs Canada applauds your efforts to introduce your students to the importance of remembrance and help students learn more about the service and sacrifice of Canada's Veterans and peacekeepers. This guide is intended to help you and your class get the most from the Road to Peace activity booklet. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please take a moment to complete and return the enclosed evaluation form by mail or fax. We encourage students to take the booklet home and share the information with their families. You can also check out the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca for more information on Canadian Veterans’ experiences and for a wide array of teaching resources. Visit the ‘Youth and Educators’ section of the Web site for other features of special interest to students. Veterans Affairs Canada
How to Proceed To get the most out of this activity, students should first read the text of the Road to Peace, in particular the four boxes entitled First World War, Second World War, Korean War and Peace Support Efforts. They should then tackle the ‘Where in the World?’ activity to learn more about and test themselves on their knowledge of some of the places where Canadians have served their country during times of war, military conflict and peace. A follow-up activity can then be undertaken to expand and reinforce student knowledge in these areas.
Additional Information to Share with your Students The Road to Peace Key dates along the actual Road to Peace highlight the impact Canada’s wartime experience has had on Canada’s evolution from a semi-independent British Dominion to a mature, independent and globally-respected country. This is most simply illustrated in the evolution of Canadian flags during the century, from the Union Jack to the Canadian Red Ensign to the unique Maple Leaf flag we know today.
Canada’s evolution in this century is due in great measure to the enormous service and sacrifice of Canadians during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and peace support missions around the globe. As such, all Canadians can take pride in the 1988 honour bestowed on UN peacekeepers, including Canada’s, when they were collectively awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (see the Road) for their efforts to promote peace and ensure that current generations do not suffer the horrors of war experienced by previous generations. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed at the National War Memorial in 2000 (see the Road). An unknown Canadian soldier who died at Vimy Ridge during the First World War is interred in this special tomb and represents our country’s commitment to peace and freedom in the past, present and future. The Tomb provides a focal point for the commemoration of Canadians who died in service to our country and who rest unknown in foreign lands or beneath the sea. To commemorate the great achievements and sacrifices of all Canadian Veterans over the years, the Government of Canada has declared 2005 to be the Year of the Veteran. During this special year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Canadians will celebrate, honour, thank, remember and teach our youth about the contributions and sacrifices of our Veterans.
Background At Confederation in 1867, Canada became a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire (see the Road). Canada controlled its internal affairs, but most external relations were governed by Great Britain. When Britain went to war in 1914, Canada was automatically at war. Due to the enormous Canadian contribution during the First World War, like our triumph at Vimy Ridge (see the Road), Canada began to move towards full independence following the war. This was confirmed legally in 1931 when Britain recognized Canada and the other Dominions as equal to Great Britain in all affairs (see the Road).
When war broke out again in 1939, Canada did not declare war until seven days after Great Britain, following a debate and vote in the Canadian Parliament. Once again, Canada’s wartime contribution was enormous: the third-largest Allied navy and fourth-largest Air Force by war’s end. We were important members of the Allied forces, taking part in efforts like the great D-Day invasion of Western Europe in 1944 (see the Road). In addition, the production of so many ships, planes, tanks, guns and ammunition for the war effort meant that Canada was transformed from a rural, agricultural society to an urban, industrialized society. Immediately following the war, Canada became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and adopted its own citizenship and passport in 1947 (see the Road). 1950 would see Canada returning to battle again in defence of peace and freedom during the Korean War (see the Road). More than 500 Canadians would give their lives during this conflict. Canada’s commitment to peacekeeping was another example of its evolution. So was the adoption of a uniquely Canadian flag in 1965 (see the Road). By 1967, and Canada’s 100th birthday, Canada had grown into the fully-developed country we know today (see the Road).
In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields is the famous First World War Canadian poem that honours all those who have fought for peace and freedom. It is still read at Remembrance Day events today. You may wish to discuss In Flanders Fields in greater detail. The full text of the poem is as follows:
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw The torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields In Flanders Fields was first published in England in December 1915. It was written by Canadian Army doctor John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario. McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields the day after one of his closest friends was killed in action and buried under a simple wooden cross in a field where wild poppies were beginning to grow. McCrae used these images to write a poem that would give meaning to the life of his friend and the many other Canadians who died in Flanders (a region of Belgium). In Flanders Fields became the most popular poem of the First World War. On January 28, 1918, after a series of illnesses, John McCrae died. But his poem has lived on and the red poppy he made so famous has become a symbol of remembrance around the world.
Africa Western Sahara (peace support) North Africa (Second World War) Nigeria (peace support) Somalia (peace support) Congo (peace support) Mozambique (peace support) Angola (peace support) Namibia (peace support) Asia India-Pakistan, Pakistan-Afghanistan (peace support) India (Second World War) Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka); Indian Ocean (Second World War) Burma (Second World War) Indochina (peace support) Siberia, Russia (First World War) West New Guinea (peace support) Middle East Cyprus (peace support) Baku (First World War) Nagorny-Karabahk (peace support) Iran-Iraq; Kuwait-Iraq (peace support) Persian Gulf (Persian Gulf War)
Where in the World? While certainly not an exhaustive listing, the maple leaves on the map represent the following Canadian wartime or peace support activities:
The Americas Aleutian Islands (Second World War) Pacific Ocean (First and Second World Wars) Haiti and the Dominican Republic (peace support) Central America (peace support) Europe Battles in France (First World War) D-Day and the liberation of France (Second World War) Battles in Belgium (First and Second World Wars) Liberation of the Netherlands (Second World War) Italy (Second World War) Malta/Mediterranean (Second World War) Former Yugoslavia (peace support) Murmansk/Russia Convoys (Second World War) Archangel, Russia (First World War)
Answers to Where in the World? activity: 1-g , 2-d , 3-c , 4-j , 5-b , 6-h , 7-f, 8-e , 9-a, 10-i
Follow up Activity After your students have examined the Road to Peace and completed the Where in the World? activity, you may wish to reinforce their knowledge with the following class activity. Give the students the following clues and ask them to unscramble the letters to find the right answer:
1) The Victoria Cross is awarded for RYEBVAR. (BRAVERY)
2) Canadians who have served in the military in times of war, military conflict and peace are called TESRANEV. (VETERANS) 3) The inspiration for the world-renowned children’s literature figure NIWIEN ETH OHPO dates back to a Canadian Army mascot during the First World War. (WINNIE THE POOH) 4) In their first major battle of the First World War, Canadians bravely held on when attacked with a horrific new weapon: SIPOON SAG. (POISON GAS) 5) The biggest threat facing Canadians during the Battle of the Atlantic were enemy EBRANSIUMS. (SUBMARINES) 6) Many Canadians were killed or taken prisoner in the ill-fated 1942 Raid on PIDEPE. - (DIEPPE) 7) Canadians played a big part in the massive Allied invasion of Western Europe called ADY-D. - (D-DAY) 8) From 1950 to 1953, Canadian troops fought in an Asian country called AREKO. - (KOREA) 9) The first Canadian to win the Nobel Peace Prize was Lester B. NOSERPA. - (PEARSON) 10) Many peacekeepers wear a blue beret, which is the colour of the flag of the IDENUT ASNITNO. (UNITED NATIONS) 11) The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in Ottawa at the LNAATNOI RWA LMAEMIOR. (NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL)
Information on the Internet Check out the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca for more information on Canadian Veterans’ experiences. Many educational materials that help young people learn about and reflect on the achievements and sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans over the years are available here as well. In addition to resources for teachers, students can view an array of Canadian military medals and decorations, listen to Veterans reading from their private journals, hear songs popular during the wars, and much more in the ‘Youth and Educators’ section of the Web site.