Question

What types of discrimination did Canadian Expeditionary Forces face?

Answer 1

1. Racial Discrimination: Indigenous soldiers and soldiers of non-European descent often faced discrimination within the CEF. They encountered unequal treatment, segregated units, and limitations on advancement opportunities based on their race or ethnicity.
2. Religious Discrimination: There were instances of discrimination based on religion, particularly against soldiers who were not of Christian faiths, including Jews and Muslims. They sometimes faced challenges in practicing their religious customs or were treated differently from their Christian counterparts.
3. Class Discrimination: Socio-economic disparities were evident within the CEF. Soldiers from lower socio-economic backgrounds or those without influential connections faced obstacles in terms of promotions, access to better positions, or opportunities for recognition compared to soldiers from more privileged backgrounds.
4. Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation: Homosexual soldiers within the CEF faced discrimination and, in some cases, were subjected to punishment or dismissal from service if their sexual orientation became known.

Answer 2

The Canadian Expeditionary Forces faced discrimination in different forms during World War I, including racial discrimination against African Americans, feelings of abandonment and loss of language rights among English Canadians, and transformative experiences for Canadian women.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Canadian Expeditionary Forces faced various types of discrimination during World War I. One example is the discrimination faced by African Americans, who were denied enlistment opportunities and had a higher rejection rate for draft exemptions compared to other men. Another example is the discrimination faced by English Canadians, who felt abandoned by their country of origin, France, and experienced the loss of French language rights in certain provinces and schools in Ontario. Canadian women's wartime experiences also brought significant changes to their lives.