1. To conscript or not to conscript...

2. What is conscription?
Conscription is being drafted into the armed forces
1914—Prime Minister Borden promised there would be no conscription
1917—Borden announced there would be conscription
WHAT CHANGED?

3. 1914 Borden promises a volunteer army
Most French- and English- Canadians in support
1914—25% of volunteers are French-Canadian
1917—only 4.5%

4. What problems would this cause?

5. On the next slide is a chart with in rather interesting statistics
On the next slide is a chart with in rather interesting statistics. What patterns do you notice? How do you think this would relate to the introduction of conscription?

6. ENLISTMENT/CASUALTY RATE FOR 1917
Month Enlistments Casualties
January 9, ,396
February 6, ,250
March 6, ,161
April 5, ,177
May 6, , June 6, , July 3, , August 3, ,232
September 3, , October 4, , November 4, , December 3, ,476

7. Losing Men Borden was in England during this battle
While Vimy Ridge was a victory for Canada, we lost a lot of men
British PM convinced Borden that conscription was the way to go

8. 1917 Borden returned to Canada and introduced the Military Service Act
French-Canada not impressed?
Why?

9. 1917 Election Those who came to Canada from “enemy” countries
Those who can’t vote
Those who can vote
Those who came to Canada from “enemy” countries
Conscientious objectors
Women in armed forces or whose husbands were in the armed forces
Soldiers could vote in whatever riding they wanted

10. Election Results Borden—153 seats
Laurier—82 seats (62 of which were from Quebec)