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The capture of Vimy was more than just an important battlefield victory. For the first time, all four Canadian divisions attacked together: men from all regions of Canada were present at the battle. World War One, known to be one of the most impactful and dreadful wars ever in history. Canada, a country brought into action under the control of the British Empire. The heroic Canadian troops which participated in the war needed to take hold of the heavily armed “Hill 145” which was known to be a throne for the Germans, or now known as Vimy Ridge in the drastic conditions of the war against the Germans to get a vantage point over the land below and capture the land, forcing the Germans back and successfully winning the war. Society has different views on the battle of Vimy Ridge, some say it was insignificant and some say it was significant to Canada’s identity and rebirth of a nation. The reasons why Vimy Ridge was the central event in Canadian history and known as the rebirth of our country is that it helped forge Canada’s identity, Vimy Ridge allowing Canada to show their will and dedication to fight and since Canada was recognized for their bravery, strength, and will; gaining respect from all around the world as an end result after the war.

First and foremost, the reason why the battle of Vimy Ridge proved to be the identity and birth of Canada is because the battle was ordered by the British Empire, Canada having no choice or say in their actions having to fight, rising above orders and showing independence, strength, and greatness. At that time, Canada was a very inexperienced country, having little experience when it came to fighting in wars and battles, with just over 8 million in population, heading into battle was a big deal. 'Troops were given detailed information on the terrain and the location of enemy strong points and were shown models and maps of the battlefield based on aerial photographs of the ridge’ This evidence shows that Canada was ready for the attack on hill 145 and had to flawlessly win the war with little mistakes.

From here on, the battle of Vimy Ridge proved to be the identity and birth of Canada is because of their will, bravery, and dedication to fight in the war. Canadian soldiers were willing to go into war, a fraction injured/wounded and did not hesitate or evade fighting for their country because of the achievement they wanted to accomplish. Furthermore, from their will, confidence, bravery and dedication to fight, the Canadian soldiers achieved their objectives. All four Canadian divisions fought under Canadian command. Almost 4,000 Canadians were killed. The soldiers, as soldiers are, were essentially kids. Showing confidence, bravery, and dedication to fight for the country.

At Vimy Ridge, regiments from coast to coast saw action together in a distinctly Canadian triumph, helping create a new and stronger sense of national identity in our country. Canada’s military achievements during the war raised our international stature and helped earn us a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles that formally ended the war. Today, on land granted to Canada for all time by a grateful France, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial sits atop Hill 145, rising above the now quiet countryside. This great monument is inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were listed as “missing, presumed dead” in France during the First World War. It stands as a tribute to all who served our country in the conflict and paid a price to help ensure the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

The final reason why the Battle of Vimy Ridge was the birth of Canada is because of its honorable remembrance on top of Hill 145, having a white marble structure in remembrance of 11,285 Canadians who were killed during the battle of Vimy Ridge. Having a monument after a war definitely supports the case of the battle being very significant to Canada. The monument on top of Hill 145 was made 11 years after construction costing 15 million and now having many other elements to the monument such as beliefs/traditions of the war (e.g. hope, justice, faith, bravery etc.). Soon after construction, eng.warmuseum.ca states "...more than 100,000, including 6,000 Canadian veterans who had traveled overseas for the ceremony." This clearly shows that the battle of Vimy Ridge was memorable for the entire country and not only that but receiving the honorable monument in France, along with the soldiers, some from overseas. A monument, in this case, meant great significant where it stands. The Germans in this battle lost 26,000 soldiers, 5,033 prisoners, 161 guns, and 12 km of land to the Allied forces; seeming a horrible loss and a huge victory for the other side. Why would there not be a monument for the battle of Amiens instead of a monument to the battle of Vimy Ridge? This clearly shows how in comparison to other considered “more important” battles, Vimy Ridge is more significant to Canada’s identity and birth due to the honorable monument upon the hill.

In conclusion, the battle of Vimy Ridge helped to forge the identity of Canada. The capture of Vimy was more than just an important battlefield victory. For the first time, all four Canadian divisions attacked together: men from all regions of Canada were present at the battle. Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared after the war, “in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.” Vimy became a symbol for the sacrifice of the young Dominion. In 1922, the French government ceded to Canada in perpetuity Vimy Ridge, and the land surrounding it. The gleaming white marble and haunting sculptures of the Vimy Memorial, unveiled in 1936, stand as a terrible and poignant reminder of the 11,285 Canadian soldiers killed in France who have no known graves, Canada was recognized for their bravery, strength and will; gaining respect from all around the world as an end result after the war.