BELLWORK  In your 20 th Century Warfare packet, read the section “Rules of War” on page 5 and answer the following questions: 1. What was the Geneva Convention? 2. What did the Convention treaties focus on? 3. Describe two rules within the Geneva Convention treaty. 4. In your opinion, should war have rules? Or is all fair in war? 5. In your opinion, should countries be punished for violating these rules? If so, how? 6. THINKER: Why were the first two years of WWI a stalemate?

Military Service Act  As you know, Prime Minister Borden passed the Military Service Act in 1917 which officially started conscription (the draft).  It was modeled after England’s 1916 Military Service Act.  This act required all male citizens, ages 20-45, to register for the draft, and if called upon, would be required to serve for the duration of the conflict.  Why do you think Borden implemented the draft?  Conscription is used throughout the 20 th century by most countries during war, including the U.S. and Canada. What are the advantages/disadvantages of conscription?  Which groups in society do you think supported the draft? Who do you think opposed it?  What do YOU think? Should the government have the right to conscript it’s citizens?

Conscription Crisis of 1917  Borden’s decision to implement the draft is still considered one of the fiercest and most divisive debates in Canadian political history.  French-Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed the measure.  English-speaking Canadians, led by Prime Minister Borden and senior members of his Cabinet, as well as British immigrants, the families of soldiers, and older Canadians, generally supported it.  The conscription debate intensified pre-existing public divisions in Canada including language education, agriculture, religion, and the political rights of women and immigrants.  It also grew into a test of one's support for, or opposition to, the war as a whole. Charges of disloyalty, cowardice, and immorality from pro-conscription advocates were matched by cries of imperialism, stupidity, and bloodlust by the anti-conscription camp.  PM Borden was re-elected in 1918 due to the support of the English-speaking majority and military. He lost in French/agricultural regions.

Conscription Results  For many Canadians, the draft was an important and necessary contribution to a faltering war effort; for others, it was an oppressive act passed dishonestly by a government more British than Canadian.  Farmers sought agricultural exemptions from compulsory service until the end of the war. Borden's government, anxious for farmers' votes, agreed to limited exemptions, largely for farmers' laboring sons, but broke the promise after the election.  French Canadians did not feel the same patriotism and support for Great Britain that English Canadians did  Immigrants and minorities did not support it because they still had no political voice

Conscription Results  French-speaking Canadians protested throughout ; young men by the tens of thousands joined others from across Canada in refusing to register for the selection process.  Of those that did register, 93% applied for an exemption.  An effort to arrest suspected draft dodgers was highly unpopular across the province and resulted in several days of rioting and street battles in Quebec in The violence left four civilians dead and dozens injured, and shocked supporters on both sides.  Conscription would have minimal impact on Canada's war effort. By the end of WWI in November 1918, only 48,000 conscripts had been sent overseas, half of which ultimately served at the front. More than 50,000 more conscripts remained in Canada. These would have been required had the war continued into 1919

Writing Assignment: Conscription  For this writing assignment, you are to take on the viewpoint of either-  A Canadian soldier fighting on the Western front  A Canadian Farmer  An English Canadian  A French Canadian  An Immigrant (not native to Canada)  From this person’s perspective, you will write a letter to Prime Minister Borden expressing your support/opposition to the Military Service Act.  You must include support/evidence to back up your opinion. Get into character! Why would that person support/oppose the draft? Show your understanding of conscription and the debate present during the war!  Due Thursday and needs to be min. 2 paragraphs