How Did the Battle of Vimy Ridge Affect Canada?

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is constantly called the most important battle in Canada's history. It was the battle that confirmed that Canada can participate in the global stage, and that they are not to be trifled with. In terms of international status, the Canadian Corps' performance in this battle garnered respect from many countries around the world. The outcome of this battle proved Canada's worth to the British Empire, and the rest of the world, and that Canada was able to do well on its own. Canada's success at this battle is part of the reason Canada was granted a seat at the Paris Peace Conference to discuss the making of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Vimy Ridge Memorial, in Pas-de-Calais, France.
Source

"The Battle of Vimy Ridge." Canada At War. N.p., 8 Apr. 2007. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://wwii.ca/page9.html>.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was an extremely important battle in Canadian history. The accomplishments of the Canadian Army helped earn Canada a spot in the Paris Peace Conference, and eventually it helped them earn their independence from Great Britain. The battle also allowed Canada to come to be more important in the world stage. Canada was much more involved in trading after the battle and the war, and had a booming munitions industry.  The victory at Vimy gave Canada the confidence to participate in other wars such as World War 2. Mackenzie King was supportive of appeasing Hitler to keep the peace in Europe. 




Canada has become an important country since the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and are members of the United Nations, G8, and G20. After the war, Canada started to become much more independent and powerful. After World War II, Canada started to actively participate in peacekeeping activities instead of fighting, for example, they did not participate in the Vietnam War, but accepted many immigrants fleeing the country. They also became more involved in world issues, and since World War I Canada has been involved in over 35 peacekeeping missions.They were also involved in ending the Korean War, and the many crises of the 20^th century, such as the Arab-Israeli and India-Pakistan conflicts.

  Vimy Ridge was so important to Canada, that France actually ceded to Canada 250 acres of land where the Vimy Ridge Memorial is, so that Canada could have a place to remember what happened there. The Battle of Vimy Ridge allowed Canada to unify. All four divisions of the Canadian Army participated in the battle, and this caused Canada's Army and the citizens of Canada to feel a sense of national unity. In fact, after the war ended, Brigadier General Alexander Ross said of the battle, "In those few minutes, I witnessed the birth of a nation".