WWI the topic of this year’s Symons Medal and Lecture

By Daniel Brown

Nov. 27, 2018

The First World War was a turning point in Canada’s growth, this year’s Symons Medal recipient said Nov. 23.

Margaret MacMillan is a Canadian historian who specializes in the history of Britain, early Canada, and 20th century wars. She’s currently a professor at the University of Oxford.

She was recognized at the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown for this year’s Symons Medal and Lecture series.

MacMillan spoke on the First World War’s significance in Canadian history, as this year marks the 100th of it ending. Unlike many countries, Canada had a gradual evolution into becoming a country, she said.

“We don’t have a single moment where it all started.”

The First World War was an important step in Canada discovering its international identity, she said.

“[It was] a time when Confederation was shaken and very nearly fell apart.”

Canada was still underneath the blanket of the British Empire, but after the war it became independent. MacMillan compared Canada to a teenager starting to question their parents.

The First World War sped up Canada’s growth, and other countries recognized it wasn’t just a dominion of Britain anymore, MacMillan said.

“They began to say we were Canadians.”

Canada faced all the struggles a new country faces, such as building infrastructure and a government. The First World War pushed forward Canada’s economy, anglophone and francophone relations, and women’s rights, she said.

Canada’s success at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 helped form a single Canadian conscious and identity. After the war, Britain intended to represent Canada at the founding of the League of Nations.

The Canadian government fought to represent itself, and ultimately signed for themselves as founders, MacMillan said.

“We make a point that we have to ratify it.”

Edward MacDonald thanked MacMillan. He’s a history professor at UPEI.

The common attitude toward history today is it’s irrelevant, MacDonald said.

“You find it, you put it on display, and you let it gather dust.”

MacMillan’s lecture was a reminder that history is a key to understanding. The First World War also played an important role for Islanders, he said.

“It helped Islanders feel more Canadian.”

P.E.I. was in many ways a self-contained world, but the war drew it more fully into the nation, MacDonald said.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan spoke briefly during the event. Many Canadians today think we are a small country in global terms, he said.

But Canadians have strong personal connections, which the country can use to get things done. A good example for this is Prince Edward Island, he said.

“Canada needs more Prince Edward Island.”