Censorship
Discover the limits of expression during the First World War
Workshop Overview
This 50-minute workshop offers students an engaging exploration of censorship during the First World War and its impact on Canadian society.
Through an interactive presentation and letter-writing activity, students will learn how censorship shaped public perception, limited information, and affected daily life for both soldiers and civilians alike.
Through an interactive presentation and letter-writing activity, students will learn how censorship shaped public perception, limited information, and affected daily life for both soldiers and civilians alike.
Workshop Structure
Presentation
This 15-minute presentation introduces students to the concept of censorship during the First World War and why it was implemented in Canada.
Through guided discussion, students explore the government’s use of emergency powers under the War Measures Act to control information in the media and soldiers’ letters. They’ll also discover how censorship shaped public perception during the war and influenced how veterans and civilians experienced its aftermath.
Through guided discussion, students explore the government’s use of emergency powers under the War Measures Act to control information in the media and soldiers’ letters. They’ll also discover how censorship shaped public perception during the war and influenced how veterans and civilians experienced its aftermath.
Hands-On Activity:
Censoring Letters
Following the presentation, students will take on the role of Canadian soldiers writing letters home under 1917 censorship rules. Using historical scenarios and regulations, they must describe daily life without revealing sensitive information. Letters are then exchanged with a partner acting as censor, who redacts content based on period guidelines.
The activity concludes with a group discussion on the challenges of wartime communication and reflections on censorship, both then and now.
The activity concludes with a group discussion on the challenges of wartime communication and reflections on censorship, both then and now.
Learning Outcomes
This workshop supports students in developing historical thinking through an in-depth exploration of censorship during the First World War. Through guided discussions and a letter-writing activity, students will gain a deeper understanding of how wartime censorship shaped public perception, controlled information, and affected both soldiers and civilians.
Students are also encouraged to reflect on the importance of preserving historical records and the role of archives and museums in safeguarding stories of wartime censorship and its impact on Canadian history.
Students are also encouraged to reflect on the importance of preserving historical records and the role of archives and museums in safeguarding stories of wartime censorship and its impact on Canadian history.
Insights Gained
- Define censorship and understand its role during the First World War
- Explore how government policies controlled media and soldiers’ letters
- Analyze censorship’s impact on soldiers and civilians
- Reflect on the ethical balance between security and freedom of expression
Alignment with History of Québec & Canada Program
- Competency 1: Characterizing the period 1896–1945
- Competency 2: Interpreting the social phenomenon of nationalisms and the autonomy of Canada
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First World War (1914-1918)
- Wartime government
- War effort of men and women
- Soldiers’ civil re-establishment
Workshop Enquiry Form
Workshops are offered within the Greater Montreal Area.
Outside the region? We invite you to visit the Vimy Foundation's educator resources page.
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Bring your class to our museum for an interactive tour of our collection.
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