To conscript or not to conscript...

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?

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

What problems would this cause?

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?

ENLISTMENT/CASUALTY RATE FOR 1917 Month Enlistments Casualties January 9,194 4,396 February 6,809 1,250 March 6,640 6,161 April 5,530 13,177 May 6,407 13,457 June 6,348 7,931 July 3,882 7,906 August 3,117 13,232 September 3,588 10,990 October 4,884 5,929 November 4,019 30,741 December 3,921 7,476

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

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

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

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