Canada as a young nation was forged by its fight against dictatorships overseas The rise of oppressive and aggressive dictatorships in the years before the Second World War caused mounting pressure for a strong response from the rest of the world. Canada took action by joining Britain and France in declaring war on Nazi Germany. This souvenir catalogue highlights the Museum's Second World War Gallery. From the powerful to the intimate, artifacts that have born witness to the conflict artwork, weapons, uniforms, archival documents, photographs and more ? demonstrate how Canada's participation in the war transformed the country and its place in the world.