Voyage to Discovery: A History of Newfoundland and Labrador 1800-Present
Chapter 8: “The Second World War 1939-1945"
SCO 3.5The student will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of World War II on Newfoundland and Labrador:
3.5.1Explain why Newfoundland’s location made it important to the war effort. (K)
·Atlantic Ocean - Important trade routes of goods between North America and Europe.
·The “Great Circle” air routes between North America and Europe placed Newfoundland in a strategic position for the shortest distance to travel between these two points.
3.5.2Identify the major World War II military installations in Newfoundland and Labrador. (K)
·Canadian Air Bases - Gander, Torbay and Goose Bay
·Canadian Seaplane Base - Botwood
·American Air Base - Stephenville (Harmon Air Force Base) and Pleasantville (Fort Pepperrell)
·American Naval Base - Argentia
·Gander and Harbour Grace were important in transatlantic flight, but were never developed as full military bases.
3.5.3Analyze the motivation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to enlist in the services. (A)
·The terror of entering another world war with large causalities lead many to enlist to prevent such outcomes.
·Nationalism and Patriotism.
·Economic renewal
3.5.4Examine the military and non-military involvement of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the war effort. (A)
·166th (Newfoundland) Field Regiment
·59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment
·125 (Newfoundland) Royal Air Force Squadron
·Women Royal Naval Service
·Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force
·Canadian Women’s Army Corp.
Non-uniform groups:
·Merchant Marines
·Forestry Unit
Volunteers:
·Women’s Patriotic Association (WPA)
·Newfoundland Patriotic Association ((NPA)
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3.5.5Summarize the ways in which women were involved in the war effort. (K)
·Women were employed as cooks, seamstresses, waitresses, secretaries, stenographers, ambulance driver, maids,... (page 207 Table 8.2).
3.5.6Describe selected war activities that occurred in Newfoundland and Labrador. (K)
·Air raids
·Blackouts - protect from air and sea attacks
·Curfews
·Construction of “batteries”
·Cable stretch across the mouth of St. John’s Harbour to prevent the possible attack of enemy submarines.
·Coast boat patrol
·Interment camps
3.5.7Examine the impact of military service in World War II on families and communities. (A)
·One-fifth of every male was hired on a military base,...
·Social benefit - some American soldiers married Newfoundland women, settled and raised families on the island, while some with their families moved back to the states with their new families.
3.5.8Assess the impact of World War II on the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. (I)
·War time boom - Consumer oriented economy. Newfoundland experienced financial surplus as opposed to a deficit.
·Economic Dislocation occurred - Shortages of fishermen, miners, teachers, clerks, ...
3.5.9Describe the impact of World War II on travel patterns of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. (K)
·Sinking of the Passenger ship S.S. Caribou.
·Sinking of the cargo ships Saganaga and Lord Strathcona.
·Automobile headlight had to have blinder installed.
·Fishing fleets had some protective patrolling. (Convoy system).
·Air travel started to become popular.
3.5.10Examine the impact of World War II on attitudes and social relationships. (A)
Positive:
·News was dominated by war time topics.
·Concert, dances, sporting contest, singalongs, volunteer societies, ...
Negative:
·Local men resented American men who married and dated Newfoundland and Labradorian women.
·Increase in alcoholism.
·Increase in single parenthood.
·Military bases were designated as foreign soil which played on the national security and ownership issue of Newfoundlanders.
·Land and houses were confiscated to make way for development of military bases.
·Housing shortages.
3.5.11Show how Newfoundland and Labrador culture was influenced by the American and Canadian presence during World War II. (K)
·New ideas and expectations (education, healthcare, pasteurization of milk, government services, ...) - Living standards rose.
·Modern technologies and equipment (Cars, radios, movies) of large North American cities.
·Influence in American fashions, foods, and recreation. (American cigarettes and chocolate)
·Stephenville was predominantly a French speaking town turned mostly English speaking.
Things to Know:
·World War One - 1939- 45
·WWI grew out of the Great Depression - people turned to dictators in hopes of improving the social/economic condition.
·Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty (later Prime Minister of Britain)
·Theaters of War - Europe, Africa, ...
·Britain, France, Canada, Soviet Union, United States, Australia vs. Germany, Japan, Italy, ...
·Military Base
·Military Installation
·U-Boats - U-513, U-537, U-867
·Prisoners of War
·Interment Camp - Internees
·The Great Circle
·Aviation
·Air Raids
·Blackout
·S.S. Caribou, Saganaga, Lord Strathcona, ...
·Barrelman
·Economic Dislocation