Triumph andTragedy
During the last 18 months of the war, significant
changesbecameevidentinNewBrunswickandthroughout
thecountry.Pre-war social reformcausesbore fruitduring
thewar, including femalesuffrage. In1917,manyCanadian
women received the vote, although it was not introduced
provincially until 1919. More and more people joined
organizationsopposed to thesaleanduseofalcohol;already
a strong political issue before 1914, it gainedmomentum
whenabstinencebecame linked to the sacrificesdemanded
by the war effort and the need to conserve. “Prohibition”
was introducedprovincially in1917 and federally in1918.
Canada’scontributiontotheAlliedwareffort,especially
around victories on the battlefield at places like Vimy
Ridge, generatedagrowing senseofunityandnationalism,
especially among English-speakers from urban area.
Thewarhad theeffect of integrating the regionmore fully
into the largerCanadianeconomy andmakingMaritimers
feelmoreCanadian.
However, this success came at great cost, counted
in daily sacrifices, the loss of loved ones, and the general
disruption to life.Peopleremaineddeeplycommitted to the
war effort, yet their enthusiasm sometimesflagged.
Also, by 1917 recruitment was declining, and
conscription was introduced in August. This decision
createdbitterdivisionswithin the country, especially along
cultural and linguistic lines. Some New Brunswickers
opposed this step, including someAcadians, which caused
cultural andpolitical divisionswithin theprovince.
