With such little history, how did Canada come to be such a great country having one of the highest standard of living and voted second best country? There are a few significant events that shaped the Canada today but one of the most impactful events that began the story of Canada was the battle of Vimy Ridge. During the world war 1, this battle shaped Canadian nationalism because it was the first time that all 4 Canadian army divisions fought as one unit and called themselves ‘Canadian’ rather than just ‘British’ or ‘French’. It was also one of the most successful moments for Canada in war history as they were victorious. These soldiers who attended the battle, witnessed the birth of a nation. It symbolizes Canada’s “coming of age” because it is a vital part in discovering their identity out of their British empire, gaining pride and nationalism, and representing Canada’s ‘ordeal by fire’ by showing growth as an independent nation state.
In the first world war, Canada was just a colony of the British empire. They were automatically at war alongside of Britain. Canada included different groups of people like the Aboriginals, French and English cultures. They just lived in the same region as a British settlement. Before the war, people’s nationalism were directed towards their motherland, Britain. They were given this difficult task to defeat the battle of vimy ridge. All four Canadian corps were fighting as one to achieve this task. The battle of Vimy Ridge was not a British colonial, but Canada’s first very own victory. Canadian soldiers and citizens began to consider themselves Canadians first rather than British. They started to discover their identity as a nation and realized that they are very capable as a strong one united nation. Even though the official nation status was gained through the confederation on July 1st, 1867, Canada was still being ruled by Great Britain. Vimy Ridge was an essential step forward in the Canada’s independence. At the beginning, they first joined the war just as imperialist who were loyal to Britain. During the war, the nationalism among canadians were replaced and turned towards their own identity and their independent nation.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the defining moment that had a vital impact on Canada’s nationalism because this was the first time in history for Canadians to fight together and won. From the huge success and victory of this battle, it brought pride among Canadians. This was demonstrated by the soldiers that fought in the battle. They had pride in Canada which gave them the will to fight. It became a national symbol for Canadians because it displays the source of identity and pride. This battle may not have been a great impact in the world war, but it was the first battle Canada fought as a united force. Not only that, it was a victory where others had failed. It was one of the proudest moments in history of Canada. It was a great influence in the start of the journey in Canada becoming an autonomous nation. This battle is regarded as the moment canada was born, and Canada's most celebrated military victory, Because of the soldiers who took the initiative in the battle with bravery, Canadians can proudly say they are who they are today.
Although the battle of vimy ridge is a symbol of success and victory, it was also definitely not a bright part of the history. Many lives were lost, became permanently disabled, and were scarred for life. No one was the same person as they were before the war. Vimy Ridge was a turning point for Canada. Looking at the past, and in remembrance, the soldiers that fought in the battle should be honoured for their determination and courage, and for their central role in building nationalism. The victory of the battle did not come without costs. “Ordeal by fire” means when someone goes through a very difficult act to prove worthiness. Vimy Ridge can be shown as Canada's ordeal by fire. At a cost of thousands of lives and casualties, they proved worthiness of their nation. War was still stalemate and even through the casualties, they received their hard-fought victory and growth of their nation.This battle symbolizes Canada’s "came of age”. The coming of age is defined as the process of growing up and entering into adulthood. World war 1 was like a training ground for young nation building. If Canada was a ‘child nation’ before, after the war, they had become an ‘adult nation’. This is evident in the Treaty of Versailles after the battle of Vimy Ridge and the world war 1. At first, they were just signed under the British empire, and did not have a say in the meetings. But at the end, Canada was given 2 seats in the conference, as well as a separate sign on behalf of Canada and obtained their representation as ‘Canada’. They even ended up having a representative elected canadian council of the league. Canada entered the the WW1 as a colony of Britain but at the end, they had an independent status in the versailles peace conference. Canadians discovered the concept of nationhood and gained growth in their nationalism. It is both a memorial to those who served in the battle for their contribution to the war effort and Canada's increasing sense of the nation.
Therefore, the success of the first Canadian army unit instilled nationalistic values and beliefs into the differentiated and scattered people of Canada. Canadians suffered many casualties, yet this is considered the day that Canada became a nation. Vimy Ridge manifested Canada’s ‘ordeal by fire’, and the ‘came of age’. It played an essential role in beginning to develop Canada into an autonomous and a sovereign nation state. Vimy Ridge showed the world just who Canada was. This battle demonstrated bravery, endurance, and success. That day the soldiers represented Canada and who they are as a nation. As shown by the soldiers, Canada came of age as a proud, strong and free sovereign nation.