Canada’s Hundred Days Facts & Worksheets

Canada made significant contributions and endured substantial sacrifices during World War I. The numerous triumphs in combat culminated in a series of wins lasting three months at the conclusion of the war, which later became recognized as “Canada’s Hundred Days.”

See the fact file below for more information about Canada’s Hundred Days, or you can download our 23-page Canada’s Hundred Days worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

THE WESTERN FRONT

• World War I took place from 1914 to 1918 and was the most devastating conflict in history up until that point. Following the commencement of the war, the conflict in France and Belgium quickly transformed into a state of deadlock characterized by trench warfare. The Western Front was a continuous series of trenches that extended from the North Sea to the Swiss border. On one side, the Allied soldiers and on the other side, the German armies confronted one other across a treacherous expanse known as No Man’s Land, characterized by barbed wire, shell craters, and muck.
•  The presence of machine guns, snipers, and artillery posed significant challenges in breaching the enemy’s defenses. Both military leaders on opposing sides faced challenges in developing efficient strategies to address the unique circumstances of this form of warfare. 
• Frequently, soldiers were indiscriminately deployed to directly assault the German trenches, sometimes referred to as going over the top. These attacks resulted in substantial casualties and failed to yield any substantial progress. The Western Front did not experience a significant breakthrough until 1918.

THE 1918 GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVES

• At the beginning of 1918, the situation appeared bleak for the Allies. In March 1918, Germany initiated a sequence of significant offensives that resulted in the retreat of the Allied forces and their advancement to 70 kilometers from Paris. 
• Although Germany had achieved some wins, this would ultimately be their final significant attempt to win the war due to the fact that they had stretched their force beyond its limits.
• In addition, following years of conflict, their reserves of manpower and provisions were diminishing. 
• Simultaneously, the Allied forces were receiving further support from American troops following the United States’ involvement in the war in 1917. After regrouping, the Allies halted the enemy’s progress and proceeded to launch a significant offensive in order to ultimately bring the war to a close.

CANADA’S HUNDRED DAYS

• Canada’s army had a reputation for being the most effective offensive force among the Allied troops on the Western Front due to its victories in engagements such as Vimy Ridge in France and Passchendaele in Belgium. During the strategic planning of the offensives that would ultimately secure victory in the war, the Canadian soldiers were assigned the crucial role of leading the attacks.
• The Canadian Corps had a formidable reputation, to the point that the sheer presence of Canadian soldiers on a particular stretch of the front would serve as a clear indication to the enemy that an attack was imminent. 
• Consequently, the movements of the Canadian Corps would require a high level of concealment. An extensive military operation was strategically scheduled in France during August 1918, resulting in the relocation of certain Canadian forces to Ypres, Belgium.
• The Germans were led to believe that a significant attack was imminent in that location, causing them to divert their attention. Meanwhile, the Canadians discreetly returned to the Amiens sector to carry out the actual attack.
• Canada spearheaded a military operation on August 8, making significant progress by advancing 20 kilometers within a span of three days. The operation was initiated without the customary extensive artillery barrage, which typically served as a warning to the enemy of an impending attack.
• Consequently, the Germans were completely caught off guard. This significant advancement was an extraordinary occurrence that severely impacted the morale of the adversary, leading the German high commander to label it as “the black day of the German Army.”
• With the Allied leaders’ optimism growing for the conclusion of the war in 1918, they continued to exert pressure on the Germans.
• The triumphant Canadians would have little time for relaxation.
• They were sent to the Arras area in the northern region and assigned the responsibility of assisting in the assault on the Hindenburg Line, which was the primary defensive line of the enemy. By September 2, after engaging in intense combat for a week against highly skilled German soldiers, the Canadian forces successfully breached the Drocourt-Quéant Line despite the challenging terrain that favored the Germans. This breakthrough occurred just before the Hindenburg Line. 
• Following that, the Canal du Nord, which constituted a segment of the prominent Hindenburg Line, came into focus. The canal’s unfinished earthworks presented a formidable challenge for attackers. However, Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the Canadian Corps, devised a bold strategy. 
• The soldiers under his command, in addition to a British division, would traverse a 2,500-meter-wide arid portion of the canal. Nevertheless, this bottleneck was a significant obstacle since it had the potential to concentrate Allied forces and resources, making them vulnerable to enemy attacks. To gain an advantage, Currie initiated the most intense bombardment on a single day throughout the war.  
• The attack on September 27 was remarkably successful. Canadian forces successfully penetrated three layers of German fortifications and advanced to seize control of Bourlon Wood. In addition to previous victories on the British front, the Hindenburg Line had been successfully penetrated.
• The Armistice was ultimately signed on November 11, 1918, as the German resistance collapsed. The Canadians displayed unwavering determination throughout the war, with the final Canadian combat casualty, Private George Lawrence Price, occurring a mere two minutes before the formal cessation of hostilities.
• The conflict had ultimately come to an end. The achievements of the Canadian Corps between August 8 and November 11, 1918, were really remarkable. Over 100,000 Canadians successfully progressed 130 kilometers, resulting in the capture of almost 32,000 prisoners and the seizure of nearly 3,800 artillery pieces, machine guns, and mortars.

LEGACY

• The war came to an end after a duration of nearly four years. A significant number of Canadian soldiers were deployed to Germany as part of an occupying army. They remained there until 1919 when they were eventually repatriated. Canada’s achievements had garnered it a newfound admiration and acknowledgment, both domestically and internationally, that it was a sovereign nation in its own regard. As a result, Canada was granted the opportunity to sign the Treaty of Versailles independently, marking the official conclusion of the First World War. The war also exemplified the nation’s dedication to safeguarding peace and liberty.

Canada’s Hundred Days Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Canada’s Hundred Days across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Canada’s Hundred Days. The numerous triumphs in combat culminated in a series of wins lasting three months at the conclusion of the war, which later became recognized as “Canada’s Hundred Days.”

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Canada’s Hundred Days Facts
2. World War I
3. What happened?
4. Story in a Box
5. Canada in Battle
6. Life of a Soldier
7. Hardships
8. Source Analysis
9. What if?
10. National Identity
11. Tribute

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Canada’s Hundred Days campaign?

Canada’s Hundred Days campaign refers to the series of decisive battles and offensives conducted by the Canadian Corps from August 8 to November 11, 1918, during the final phase of World War I.

What were the key battles of Canada’s Hundred Days?

The Canadian Corps participated in several key battles during the Hundred Days Offensive, including the Battle of Amiens, the Battle of Arras, the Battle of Cambrai, the Battle of the Canal du Nord, and the Pursuit to Mons.

Who were the notable military leaders during Canada’s Last Hundred Days?

During Canada’s Last Hundred Days, the Canadian Corps was led by key commanders, notably General Sir Arthur Currie, Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Turner, Brigadier-General Hugh Tudor, and Major-General David Watson.

What were the main achievements of Canada’s Hundred Days?

Canada’s Hundred Days saw the Canadian Corps achieve a series of remarkable successes, including the breaking of the formidable German defensive positions during the Hundred Days Offensive. This offensive ultimately led to the collapse of the German Army and the end of the war.

How did Canada contribute to the Hundred Days Offensive?

Canada contributed a substantial military force to the Hundred Days Offensive, with the Canadian Corps under the command of General Sir Arthur Currie playing a pivotal role. Canadian troops participated in key battles such as the Battle of Amiens, the capture of the Drocourt-Quéant Line, and the Battle of Cambrai.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/social-studies/canadas-hundred-days/">Canada’s Hundred Days Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, May 29, 2024

Link will appear as Canada’s Hundred Days Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 29, 2024