1. King’s Conscription Crisis

3. Conscription Crisis King promised= no conscription Germany quickly occupied much of Europe 1940- National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) – Government could mobilize = conscription (home defence)

4. Conscription Crisis Conservatives wanted overseas conscription King held referendum- April 27, 1942 1) All provinces except Quebec  majority “yes” 2) overseas conscription King- “Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary” Failed to satisfy either side Quebec felt betrayed Minister of Defense-J.L. Ralston resigned, and then changed his mind

5. James Layton Ralston

6. Conscription Crisis King avoided conscription issue for 2 years 1944 Invasion of Europe – Canada lost 23,000 soldiers – Infantry shortage Ralston went to Europe – Concluded more troops were needed – King refused, and announced Ralston’s resignation (from resignation letter Ralston had given 2 years before)

7. Conscription Crisis King replaced Ralston with General Andrew McNaughton – King hoped McNaughton could convince men conscripted under NRMA to volunteer to go overseas – McNaughton unsuccessful Finally, King agreed to send conscripts overseas in final months of war  12,000 – Not all went peacefully Riots in Montreal & Quebec legislature condemning King’s actions 2463 conscripts reached the front

8. General Andrew McNaughton