Editing British Columbia (section)

===20th century===
{{Further|Canada in World War II}}
[[File:British Columbia Regiment 1940.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|''[[Wait for Me, Daddy]]'', a photo taken by [[Claude P. Dettloff]] of the [[The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (RCAC)|British Columbia Regiment]] marching in [[New Westminster]], October 1940]] 
In World War I, the province responded strongly to the call to assist the British Empire against its German foes in French and Belgian battlefields. About 55,570 of the province's 400,000 residents, the highest per-capita rate in Canada, responded to the military's need. About 6,225 men from the province died in combat.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Dickson |first1=Greg |last2=Forsythe |first2=Mark |date=Summer 2015 |title=From the West Coast to the Western Front: British Columbians and the Great War |magazine=British Columbia History magazine |volume=48 |issue=2}}</ref>

In 1914, a second transcontinental rail line, the [[Grand Trunk Pacific Railway|Grand Trunk Pacific]], was completed. This opened up the North Coast and [[Bulkley Valley]] region to new economic opportunities. What had previously been an almost exclusively fur-trading and subsistence economy soon became an area for forestry, farming, and mining. This sector attracted workers from Asia and Europe, leading to a diverse but conflict-ridden society. The early 20th century saw significant interaction between immigrants, [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]], and economic forces. There was a rise in the labour movement, marked by strikes and conflicts such as the [[Battle of Ballantyne Pier|1935 docker's strike at Ballantyne Pier]] and the [[On-to-Ottawa Trek]]. These events underscored tensions between workers and big business, often mediated by the Communist Party. Racial and ethnic relations were strained, with legislation reflecting the era's racial prejudices, notably against Asian immigrants and First Nations. The early and mid-20th century was marred by incidents like the [[Komagata Maru incident]], highlighting anti-Asian sentiment.

The interwar period and World War II introduced significant changes, including [[prohibition]] and its eventual repeal, and the [[internment of Japanese Canadians]]. The post-war era saw coalition governments and a booming economy, spearheaded by infrastructure projects and industrial expansion. The [[British Columbia Social Credit Party|Social Credit Party]], under [[W.A.C. Bennett]], dominated BC politics, initiating major projects and laying the groundwork for future economic growth. The 1970s and 1980s brought economic challenges and political shifts, culminating in the [[Expo 86]] world's fair and the end of Social Credit dominance. This period also saw significant social movements, such as [[Operation Solidarity]]. There was a transition to New Democratic Party governance in the 1990s, focusing on environmental conservation and economic struggles. In its second term especially, the NDP government faced political scandals, such as the [[fast ferry scandal]], that ultimately contributed to its downfall.