Domestic Impact of the First World War on Two Countries of the Americas

Being a part of the British Empire, Canada entered the First World War following Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany. Before and during WWI, Canada’s foreign affairs were controlled by Great Britain, and they played a prominent role in Britain’s army. On the other hand, the Latin American country Cuba, declared war on Germany shortly after the United States did. Cuba disliked Germany’s strategy of total submarine warfare, which led to the sinking of Cuban ships off of America’s shore.

Both of these countries entered the war for different reasons, but had the same intention of taking down the central powers: Germany and Austria Hungary. Although Canada and Cuba are located in two different regions, North and Latin America, they both were significantly impacted by World War One economically, politically, and foreignly.

During the war, Canada’s production increased, but after the war, Canada suffered economically. Because of an increased amount of spending, inflation occurred throughout Canada. Although spending can increase employment by funding more workers, it can cause prices to rise too high. Also, early in WWI, Canada’s Prime Minister Robert Borden, removed the Gold Standard, the circulation of gold, as Canada’s currency, and began printing money. Because people have easier access to money, prices continued to rise. Due to the increase of spending and the new currency, prices nearly doubled throughout Canada, leading to a fall of purchasing, which negatively impacted Canada’s economy. Prior to WWI, Cuba’s economy was based on the export of sugar. In fact, Cuba’s success gave them the title of number one exporter in the world. However, after WWI, their economy reversed. Sugar production increased, causing a surplus of resources which led to a price drop per pound. This negatively impacted Cuba’s economy, because their income ultimately decreased. Overall, The First World War led to Canada and Cuba’s economy to decline because of inflation and decrease in export prices.

Although Canada’s economy suffered, World War One resulted in a sound political structure for Canadians. When men were off fighting, women took their place in the workforce. During WWI, women worked as school teachers, secretaries, and more. This increased respect for Canadian women, resulting in women gaining the right to vote in 1918. World War One also led to Canada becoming less dependent on Great Britain. Meaning, WWI gave Canada greater authority to speak up against Britain. A major step towards independence was Canada becoming an independent member of the League of Nations. World War One ultimately changed Canada’s political structure gainining not only a voice for women, but a voice an independent country! WWI positively affected Canada politically, but in Cuba, there was little to none political impact post WWI. In fact, the Cubans were barely involved in the war because by the time they were sending troops into France. The armistice was signed in 1918 which then ended WWI. Because they had little involvement in WWI, Cuba’s politics did not change. However, some Cubans may argue that Cuba gained nationalism as a result of WWI. The country’s congress approved to declare war on Germany, which eventually led to Cuba working alongside the U.S. America occupied a naval base at the Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and they were a major aspect of American defenses in the Panama Canal. Cuba was one of the few Latin American countries to enter World War One, which shows their passion for their country. Overall, Cubans wanted to stand up for their country, which made the government more powerful, and citizens closer together.

Similar to Canada’s sound political structure, World War One positively influence Canada foreignly. Prior to WWI, Canada’s foreign policy was controlled by Great Britain, but after, Canada was seen as an independent country. During the Paris Peace Conference, the meeting where the Treaty of Versailles was created, Prime Minister Robert Borden insisted that Canada was not just part of the British Empire. He argued that Canada deserved two seats at the conference, and Canada should be valued the same as Belgium and other small countries. Historian Norman Hillmer stated, “Her (Canada) emerging international personality had been recognized.” This shows Canada gained influence as an independent country throughout the world, allowing WWI to achieve them a spot in the League of Nations.Although Cuba previously gained independence from the Spanish American War, World War One proved to other nations that Cuba is strong, and provides countries with an essential resource: sugar. In the beginning of the war sugar was a scarce resource. Central Powers, such as Germany and Austria-Hungary, had limited access to sugar because of the Royal Navy Blockade - an attempt to restrict naval imports. Regarding the Allied Powers, specifically the United States, sugar was scarce because of American policies on Cuba, such as Herbert Hoover running the International Sugar Commission. Hoover lowered the price of sugar internationally, which resulted in a shortage for the U.S. Once these countries did not have sugar, they realized how demanding the natural resource is! Overall, WWI led to foreign countries realizing Cuba provides an essential resource to them.

The domestic impact of the First World War on Canada and Cuba were both positive and negative. The war led to Canada’s economy to suffer, but created a more sound political system and improved Canada’s power as an independent country around the world. The war also negatively impacted Cuba’s economy, just like Canada, leading to a lower income of sugar. However, WWI did not affect Cuba’s politics, but it did increase foreign demand for sugar. In conclusion, World War One caused both countries to suffer economically, but politically and foreignly the war impacted them positively.

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