Avro Arrow

When the Cold War intensified in the 1950s, Canada became increasingly concerned with the possibility of a Soviet attack. The Avro Arrow was a twin engine, supersonic interceptor developed in the late 1950's by the Avro Aircraft company of Malton, Ontario, Canada. The Arrow was the follow on to Avro's first military design, the highly succesful CF-100 Canuck, a twin engine all weather interceptor sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force (600+) and to Belgium. To guard against an attack, Canada needed modern supersonic aircraft. The planes in use then were slow and outdated. Since 1949, the government backed the A.V. Roe Company in its project to develop one of the world’s fastest supersonic jets: the Avro Arrow. Canada was also forced to develop the Arrow's engine and fire-control and missile systems, and estimated costs rose to $12.5 million per aircraft. After export efforts again failed, the project was cancelled on 20 February 1959. A.V. Roe bitterly fired 14 000 employees; the government ordered all plans and prototypes destroyed; and many Canadians bemoaned the devastation of Canada's aircraft industry, the resulting flight of scientists and engineers to the US, and Canada's renewed dependence on the US for interceptor aircraft. The huge cost of the Avro Arrow made the government buy an American fighter plane.

Who started the war?

This week's blog number 2 is "Who started the war?" In 1914, the countries in Europe were mostly alliance. if one country would go to war, the entire Europe would get involved because of their relations. On June 28, 1914 the Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by the Serb Gavrilo Princip, part of the terrorist Black Hand group in Serbia. On the 23 of July, Austria's government made a set of demands of Serbia. Their number one demand was to ban all anti-Austrian groups in Serbia. The second demand is dismiss all anti-Austrian government officials from employment.  The third one is to arrest Vojislav Tankosic, head of the Black Hand. 4th demand was to hold an inquiry with an Austrian judge. On the 25, Serbia agreed to the demands, except the 4th one, where it said the judge would be Serbian.
On the 28 July, Austria turned this down and declared war on Serbia. Serbia asked Russia which asked France which asked Britain. Austria asked Germany. Germany used this time to knock France out immediately via the Schlieffen Plan and gain additional colonies, territory, prestige. Germany didn't go about starting the war, it simply wanted to catch up to other countries in colonies, naval power, and influence.

Women's Rights

This blog will be about how women obtain rights from the government during world war 1 due to the changes the war put in the society. during world war 1, Canadian women had a great deal of responsibility for the war effort. over 3000 had training with voluntary aid department, red cross, and St. John ambulance, and served as nursing sisters during the war.  Many of them died trying to help the Canadian army and many received medals for their bravery. Since Borden promised more men to go to war, the woman's had to work and vote for election. In 1916 women in Alberta , Saskatchewan, and Manitoba gain rights to vote. In 1917, BC and Ontario. In 1918 Nova Scotia. In 1919 New Brunswick. In 1922 PEI. In 1925 Newfoundland. And in 1940 Quebec finally got the right to vote in Canada. The Dominion Election act in 1920, gave women rights to run for parliament. Although women were still considered inferior to men in some respects, Canadian suffragists during World War I helped Canada take the first steps towards the gender equality that exists today. World war 1 was a horrific time for both men and women. However, the circumstances of war lead into women showing how strong they are and how they are equal to men. This war forced the government to finally give women the minimum rights.