In the spring of 1917, Canadian troops were sent to capture Vimy Ridge, which was being occupied by the Germans. The allies (the United States, Great Britain, France, etc.) had tried several times to capture it, but every attempt met with failure. This battle was the biggest victory for Canada during World War I, which was also known as the Great War.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
When Great Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, the Dominion of Canada, as a colony of the British Empire, found itself automatically dragged into the conflict. Robert Borden sent troops as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) to fight under British orders. The CEF soon became the symbol of a new wave of nationalism in Canada. In 1916, Borden created the Ministry of Overseas Military Forces and, in 1917, Arthur William Currie was the first Canadian appointed as Commander of the Canadian Corps in Europe. Canada entered the war as a simple colony; but by the end, it emerged with a much stronger sovereign identity. It signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and became a member of the League of Nations.

SUMMARY
Wars tend to lend themselves to the creation of symbols, and some battles will always be more important than others in the collective memory. The battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the greatest battles led by Canada during World War I. Since their entry into the war in 1914, Canadian divisions had not been very successful. In October and November of 1916, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps took up position at the base of Vimy Ridge, which was occupied by the Germans. Throughout the winter of 1916-1917, the troops prepared for a major British offensive against the German lines. The Canadian Corps, at the northern extremity of the line, had to capture the Ridge to protect one flank of the British army. Vimy Ridge is an eight-kilometre-long hill with a maximum height of 110 metres, and it dominated the entire region. It was riddled with tunnels and trenches and reinforced by barbed wire, bunkers, nests of machine guns and artillery. At dawn on April 9, 1917, the Canadian troops (35,000 men) attacked the Ridge. It took three days of heavy combat and injured or killed more than 10,000 Canadian men. The British attack to the south was met with defeat; the only troops to emerge victorious were the Canadians. This victory by ordinary men from all parts of Canada, who united to become the Canadian Corps, was for many a symbol of Canada's ability to affirm its unity and its faith in the future.

Concepts
Dominion
State belonging to the British crown and a member of the British Empire. Although a Dominion could govern its internal affairs, it had to defer to Great Britain in its relations with foreign countries.

Colony
Country that is not fully sovereign and which is subjected to the authority of another country.

British Empire
The whole of Great Britain and its colonies. In 1914, it was the largest empire in the world and its possessions extended to all of the continents. Canada held the status of a Dominion.

Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
Army created in Canada in 1914 to serve overseas. The contingent was governed by British Armed Forces Law and held the status of a colonial troop. Canadian control grew constantly, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Overseas Military Forces.

Nationalism
An exalted state of national pride and feeling of passionate belonging to one's country.

Ministry of Overseas Military Forces
Ministry created in 1916 to administer the Canadian armed forces in the United Kingdom, and to be used as a means of communication between Canadian and British authorities and the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France. It was abolished in 1920.

Treaty of Versailles
Peace treaty signed at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, putting an end to World War I and creating the League of Nations. Canada signed the Treaty, but the official signature was that of Great Britain on behalf of the entire British Empire.

League of Nations
International organization created during the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 at the end of World War I. The League of Nations (LON) is based on two principles: collective security and maintaining of the peace through mediation in international conflicts.

Sovereignty
Ability of a State to pass laws and manage its territory without being subjected to orders from another State.