England, Canada and the Great War

"England, Canada and the Great War" by L. G. Desjardins is a historical commentary written in the early 1900s that highlights Canada's role in World War I, with a strong focus on maintaining allegiance to the British Empire. The author pushes back against nationalist ideas that questioned Canada's place in the conflict. Desjardins, a Lieutenant-Colonel and former politician, passionately champions the Allied cause, portraying it as a battle between civilization and oppression. The beginning of the book unveils the author's goal of creating an English version of his prior French work, which he’s doing because many people requested it. Desjardins thinks about the political climate in Canada, pointing out growing nationalist beliefs against Britain's war efforts, especially those promoted by Henri Bourassa. He emphasizes the urgent need for Canadians to come together and support the British Empire during this critical time. His goal is to convince French Canadians that it’s their duty to fight for liberty and justice. The preface prepares the reader for a thorough look into why Canada joined the war and a criticism of nationalist sayings that he see as harmful to national unity.