<P> From 1937 to 1949, this was a popular uprising against the anti-Catholic Mexican government of the time, set off specifically by the anti-clerical provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 . </P> <P> Once again Canada found itself at war before her neighbors, however even Canadian contributions were slight before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor . The entry of the United States into the war helped to tip the balance in favor of the allies . On August 19, 1942, a force of some 6000, largely Canadian, infantry was landed near the French channel port of Dieppe . The German defenders under General von Rundstedt destroyed the invaders. 907 Canadians were killed and almost 2,500 captured (many wounded). Lessons learned in this abortive raid were put to good use 2 years later in the successful Normandy invasion . </P> <P> Two Mexican tankers, transporting oil to the United States, were attacked and sunk by the Germans in the Gulf of Mexico waters, in 1942 . The incident happened in spite of Mexico's neutrality at that time . This led Mexico to declare war on the Axis nations and enter the conflict . </P> <P> The destruction of Europe wrought by the war vaulted all North American countries to more important roles in world affairs . The United States especially emerged as a "superpower". </P>

Who was populating the north american continent when colonists arrived how did they help colonists