History Browser

Drawing representing the departure of the German troops from Nancy, France.

It starts off as a casual conversation about politics. But by the end of the conversation, both men are convinced: it's time to join the army. "I guess we better swing into line," concedes one of the men in this short radio skit. This dramatized chat is part of the 1941 CBC program Carry On Canada, a weekly show aimed at persuading Canadians to help with the war effort. This episode also includes "a call to every Canadian housewife" to collect unused aluminum and donate it to "your government for war purposes."

"Buy Victory Bonds!" Spread war-related rumours and you risk becoming "one of Hitler's Little Helpers." Ladies, join the army and you'll be "the proudest girl in the world!" Persuasive messages like these were everywhere during the Second World War, including on CBC Radio and Canadian movie screens. Indeed, wartime propaganda wasn't just the domain of Nazi Germany — Canada too created films, radio dramas and posters aimed at convincing citizens to join the military or help out on the home front.

Drawing representing an American journalist writing on the British defeat.

The war hasn't even begun yet, and Germany's Jews are already under attack. Persecuted by the Nazi government, many are trying to escape. "Thousands are seeking asylum and sanctuary on our doorstep," says Lord Baldwin, Britain's former prime minister. In this appeal broadcast on CBC Radio, he asks listeners to send money to aid the refugees. The situation is so desperate that parents are willing to send their children to safety even if it means they'll never see them again.

VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe. Canadians still overseas in Paris and London as well as those at home danced in the streets. The Hamilton Spectator archived articles dealing with reactions in Eastern Canada.

Images representing the life of a war correspondent.

For Canada and Canadians the Second World War began in Parliament. Canadian newspapers documented the changes in government and social platform during World War Two.

Listing of films from the National Film Board. Archival footage includes training films and news magazines from the Second World War.

As World War II war drew to a close, members of all the armed forces of the Allies wanted nothing so much as to shed their uniforms, and fast. But there was not enough shipping available to bring Allied troops from all over the world as quickly as they wished.