Conscription in WWI Canada Conscientious Objectors Why When National Division End of the War
1914 Prime Minister Borden Promised there would be no conscription or compulsory enlistment BUT........ Needed more men for the war effort Ex. Vimy Ridge Campaign
1917 Military Service Act Made enlistment for military service mandatory Conscription is called the Draft in the US
Exceptions AT FIRST... The Act Allowed for exemptions: Disabled Clergy Essential jobs/skills Opposed war for religious reasons Conscientious objectors
Groups to Oppose Conscription
Conscientious Objectors Those who Opposed the war on religious or moral grounds Pacifists Mormons “Hippie”
Farmers and Factory Workers Both groups believed they were already working for the war effort Farms a family business, and sons needed on the farm Factory workers did not want to give up their jobs to go overseas
Labour Movement Groups organized to improve conditions for workers Ex. 8 HOUR Day Workers already finding it hard to provide for families Conscription would mean workers make even less
Quebec Felt little to no connection to Britain or France Military Service Act forcing them to fight distant war Language Rights lost outside Quebec Majority farmers Minority group in the war
Liberal Party Leader Laurier The “law of the land...declares that no man in Canada shall be subjected to compulsory military service except to repel invasions or for the defense of the country”
Groups to Support Conscription
Women Connected to Soldiers Fathers, sons, husbands, brothers at war and in need of help Theories: Helped to promote the vote for women Free up jobs for women
The Government Men needed for Vimy Ridge Britain controls Canada's foreign policy Role in war helps to promote Canadian autonomy
The Armed Forces Needed more men High death tolls Vimy Ridge 100 days campaign
The Khaki Election of 1917 Conscription the main issue in 1917 election Called Khaki because of the attempts to win the support of people serving during the war Borden passed laws to ensure a WIN!
Military Voters Act 1917 Allowed men and women overseas to vote They would side with Borden because he wanted conscription and they wanted more troops
Wartime Elections Act 1917 Gave the Vote to all Canadian women related to servicemen Husbands Fathers Brothers sons Cancelled the vote for consciences objectors Immigrants from enemy countries in past 15 years
Conscription Protests Continue After election, people of Quebec continue to protest “A bas Borden”- Down with Borden Canadian troops vs French Canadians who refuse to enlist
Conscription Riots Quebec City Easter weekend 1918 April 1 four protesters shot and killed by soldiers 10 soldiers wounded
Conscription Numbers 401 882 Canadians conscripted 125 000 enlisted 25 000 reached France before end of war