Vimy Ridge: A Watershed Moment

‘Although Confederation was the point at which the colonies of Canada became a country, it was still young and had no reputation amongst other nations. Therefore, while Confederation may be the legal origin of Canada as a state, it was not the true origin of Canada, Vimy Ridge was. Vimy Ridge was a German heavily fortified seven kilometre ridge which French and British forces had failed to breach. The French effort alone had resulted in over 100,000 casualties. In the eyes of the world, underdogs such as the Canadian Corps, would fail. The Canadian forces totalled 100,000 soldiers who planned the attack for an entire winter, suffering only 11,000 casualties in successfully taking the fortified ridge from the Germans. The experience of Vimy Ridge changed everything for the Canadians. Even though the actual battle lasted only a few days, its impact back in Canada was felt for many years to come. News of Canada’s autonomous actions and victory brought Canadians together in pride and celebration, thereby becoming the origin of Canada as a unified people. After the war, Brigadier General A.E. Ross declared that “in those few minutes [he had] witnessed the birth of a nation.” World War I was a forge, and from it Canada was created. Although the victory came at great costs, Canada left “the First World War a proud, victorious, nation with new found standing in the world.” Canadians got a big lift from its success and finally, “the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness” . The “Canadian troops [...] earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success” they achieved. The rising success of Canadian forces during the years of the World War I created a distinguished reputation for them throughout the world, and created a great sense of pride for people back home. The Canadian military “had achieved a first-class reputation as one of the most effective formations on the Western Front”. Because of this, “the country itself enjoyed an international standing that few observers in 1914 could have predicted.” The Battle at Vimy Ridge changed everything for Canadians; they fought for themselves and were respected by other nations. It was the birth of a long lasting pride, and a unity which had not before existed, which is important because a nation is not just an administrative framework, a nation is a people united.’