Counterpoints, Ch. 2- Canada and the First World War Conscription Crisis Counterpoints, Ch. 2- Canada and the First World War

Conscription: The forced enlistment (lawful) of a nation’s soldiers into the armed forces. Need for troops was growing 1917 saw 64,339 enlistments but 122,946 casualties

Enlistment Drops By 1916 enlistment was starting to drop, supporters already joined. All sides were running out of soldiers. Losses were 4 times enlistment in Canada in Dec 1916 Other reasons not to join: employment was up No longer seen as a quick war, or as an adventure French Canadians didn’t want to fight First Half of 1916- CEF recruited 134,000 Last Half of 1916- CEF recruited 36,000

Promises, Promises At the beginning of the war, PM Borden promised there would be no conscription ( compulsory enlistment)for military service. When he learned how many men were needed to win the battle at Vimy Ridge he realized that Canada would have to send more troops to Europe. Borden introduced the Military Services Act.

Military Service Act A 1917 Act that made conscription compulsory for all Canadian men between the ages of 20 and 45, calling up the younger men first.

Image source: Google images- https://www. google. ca/search Military Service Act- Image Source: Google Images- https://www.google.ca/search?q=conscription+papers+canada&safe=off&espv=2&biw=776&bih=358&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2r672o8DOAhVM9WMKHfmkCvEQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=O9ABcCULrwKxqM%3A

At first the Act allowed exemptions for the disabled, the clergy, those with essential jobs or skills, and conscientious objectors (people who oppose war for religious or moral reasons.) Conscription turned out to be a very controversial and emotional issue that divided the country.

Opposition in Quebec Province had the lowest levels of recruitment in Canada. Many French Canadians were farmers and needed at home. Did not feel a patriotic connection to either Britain or France. Did not believe Canada should be involved in a distant war. Believed the Military Services Act was a means of forcing them to fight in a war in which they felt no connection. Canadian military culture was “English”

Royal Vandoos 22nd Regiment was the only all French Regiment.

Relationships between Francophones and Anglophones were strained because French language rights had been lost in many schools outside Quebec. When French Canadians did volunteer there was little effort to kept them together and few officers spoke French. This left many feeling like second class citizens.

Henri Bourassa, a Quebec nationalist was one of the most outspoken critics of conscription. He believed that the country had lost enough men, and spent enough money on a war that had little to do with Canada. He felt spending more money on the War could bankrupt the country, put a strain on Canada’s agricultural and industrial production, and threaten Canada’s independence. He also believed the issue would aggravate existing tensions. He was right.

The Labour Movement Farmers, particularly on the Prairies, were also opposed to conscription because they needed their sons at home to work the farms. Industrial workers felt they were already contributing to the war effort and didn’t want to give up their jobs to fight. In BC, the coal miners of Vancouver Island led the labour movement opposition to conscription.

In 1917, labour leader Albert “Ginger” Goodwin, led a group of smelter workers in a strike demanding an 8 hour work day. During the strike, Goodwin received his conscription notice to report for duty, even though he had been previously been excused due to “black lung”. Goodwin applied for another exemption, which was denied. He hid in the mountains, was eventually tracked down and killed by police.

Albert “Ginger” Goodwin Image source: Google Image Search “Albert Ginger Goodwin” : Our Times- http://ourtimes.ca/Talking/article_483.php

The Khaki Election PM Borden took his Conservative party to the polls in 1917 Biggest issue was Conscription, Borden needed votes and introduced the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections Act. Soldiers located anywhere could vote Women in the CEF (or wives of CEF) were given the vote Both these groups would support conscription. Borden invited Liberals who supported conscription to join a new “Union Gov’t”. Laurier opposed conscription and the Liberals lost support except for Quebec. RESULT: Laurier/Lib 82, Borden/Cons (Union) 162

Image Source; Google Images- https://www. google. ca/search

More on the Military Services Act 1917- Borden introduced the “Military Service Act”- Conscription. The Union Government won the election with strong support from the armed forces and women, but anger about conscription was strong. Opposition was strong - an exemption was given to farmers 404,395 men were called BUT 380,510 appealed! Tribunals in Que. exempted Canadien, but forced Anglo. to serve. An appeal court overturned the exemptions.

Easter 1918, Que. City, a man w/o exemption papers was arrested. A riot broke out and Ottawa sent 700 troops from Ontario Mon, April 1, 1918, soldiers fire at a crowd, killing 4. Riots ended at the request of the Catholic Church. Borden doesn’t give in. All exemptions are cancelled

Military Voter’s Act All British subjects (male and female) who were part of the Canadian Armed forces could vote. Voting was done overseas (voting over 27 days) Significance: Most people who were in the Canadian Armed Forces would vote for conscription because they were already in the Armed Forces.

The Wartime Elections Act All wives, sisters, mothers and daughters of soldiers who are fighting overseas or have fought overseas would be granted the vote. The right to vote was also denied to conscientious objectors, and those of enemy birth. Significance: All women who had relatives who fought overseas would support conscription because their loved ones had supported conscription. Anyone who would be clearly against conscription (Conscientious objectors) would be denied the vote.

A Country Divided or United? . FOR: -Urban -Soldiers -English AGAINST: -Rural -Civilians -French

The Conscription Crisis was successful at dividing the country along many lines. Canada was united like never before, however divisions simmered. Conscription would be a volatile issue in the future. (WWII)

Review What were some of the significant issues and events facing Canadians at home during World War 1?

Issues Affecting Canadians at Home Halifax Explosion Changing Role of Women Conscription Crisis- Khaki Election of 1917 Enemy Aliens War Measures Act Total War Paying for war