Canada's response to black solders during
WWI was racist...
Black Canadian's Perspective:
“This is not for you fellows, this is a white man's war"(Willam). These words so innocent on its own but once put together can discriminate an entire race of coloured people.
In 1914, the Anglo-Saxon males(people purely of English descent) were at the top ranking of the different races at the time. Coloured people were at the bottom. The White Canadians believed that since they were battling other white men; it was not necessary for coloured people to fight for them. At the time, these racial standards were the norm. The White Canadians were just doing what was best for their country to become victorious in war.
Now the military policy was that anyone of age and medically fit can join the army. But the final decision was up to the commanding officers to accept or reject applicants. The black men only had one reason as to why they couldn’t join the unit, and it was because of simply the colour of their skin. Most of the black Canadians fit the criteria of a solider; they were physically and mentally ready to be apart of the war. But, many officers believed that black men would make horrible soldiers, and just make them lose the battle.
In 1914, the Anglo-Saxon males(people purely of English descent) were at the top ranking of the different races at the time. Coloured people were at the bottom. The White Canadians believed that since they were battling other white men; it was not necessary for coloured people to fight for them. At the time, these racial standards were the norm. The White Canadians were just doing what was best for their country to become victorious in war.
Now the military policy was that anyone of age and medically fit can join the army. But the final decision was up to the commanding officers to accept or reject applicants. The black men only had one reason as to why they couldn’t join the unit, and it was because of simply the colour of their skin. Most of the black Canadians fit the criteria of a solider; they were physically and mentally ready to be apart of the war. But, many officers believed that black men would make horrible soldiers, and just make them lose the battle.
“I am informed that several who applied for enlistment in the Canadian expeditionary forces have been refused for no other apparent reason than their colour, as they were physically and mentally fit”, (Alexander,1914). Arthur alexander wrote a letter to the minster of defense questioning them why black Canadians weren’t allowed to enlist in the war. They simply responded back to them saying that choosing who gets enlisted or not enlisted is entirely in the hands of the commanding officers. The commanding officers choice was not to be interfered with by them.
" In a memo of November 1914 responding to a query on 'coloured enlistment' the militia would refer to the established policy that personnel selection was a matter for each commanding officer, though the chief of general staff offered the prevailing opinion: " Would Canadian Negros make good fighting men? I do to think so “(Walker, 2001). Basically, even before examining their skillsets, these black men were already considered invaluable due to the colour of their skin.
" In a memo of November 1914 responding to a query on 'coloured enlistment' the militia would refer to the established policy that personnel selection was a matter for each commanding officer, though the chief of general staff offered the prevailing opinion: " Would Canadian Negros make good fighting men? I do to think so “(Walker, 2001). Basically, even before examining their skillsets, these black men were already considered invaluable due to the colour of their skin.
In 1916 , black canadians finally had the chance to be apart of the war. A spearate unit only designated to black solider was created ,it was called the No.2 construction Battalion.The No. 2 Construction Battalion was the first and only all Black Battalion.There were approximately 1000 men in this battalion. in this unit black battalions spent their time building railroads for the final attacks against Germany. the black canadians were never allowed to fight , they were basically acting as slaves to white soldiers by making fighting easier for whites with construction.
All of these responses show that Canada’s response to black soldiers was racist. White Canadians had no good reason as to why black Canadians couldn’t join. When the black Canadian was allowed to be apart of the army a separate unit was created for them.
All of these responses show that Canada’s response to black soldiers was racist. White Canadians had no good reason as to why black Canadians couldn’t join. When the black Canadian was allowed to be apart of the army a separate unit was created for them.