On August 14, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Germany had declared war on Russia on August 1 and on Russia’s ally France on August 3. The German plan was to move quickly against France, because they felt Russia was unprepared and Germany would have time to subdue the French before attacking Russia on the Eastern Front. In the process of moving troops to France, the Germans entered Belgium on August 4 and attempted to take over the much smaller nation. As far back as 1839, Britain, France and Prussia had agreed to protect Belgium’s neutrality, so when King Albert of Belgium asked for help, Britain issued an ultimatum to Germany. When Germany failed to heed the warning, Britain declared war.

Austria-Hungary was already at war with Serbia and soon Japan declared war on Germany. The Ottoman Empire joined forces with Germany and Austria-Hungary, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary and Germany and later on the United States joined the Allied forces against Germany. Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, came to the aid of Britain. With the nations involved spanning more than half the globe, it became known as a World War. Soldiers called it the Great War and it would also be referred to as “The war to end all wars.”

In Canada, which was a part of the British Commonwealth, the Canadian Government and most Canadians were taken somewhat by surprise. The prairies were in the midst of a second year of drought and there was massive unemployment across the country, resulting in the worst depression since the 1890’s. It was only over the Bank Holiday weekend, starting on August 1, that the newspapers began to report about the possibility of war. When war was declared, Canadians agreed with Sir Wilfred Laurier who had said in 1910 “When Britain is at War, Canada is at war” and excited crowds filled the streets in many major cities. Prime Minister Sir Henry Borden asked Canadians “to put forward every effort and make every sacrifice necessary to ensure the integrity and maintain the honour of our Empire.” The government quickly approved an overseas contingent of 25,000 men, a war appropriation of $50 million and a War Measures Bill giving the Cabinet full authority for “the security, defence, peace, order and welfare of Canada.”