The Conscription Crisis: The Events that led to a National Crisis in 1917

Canada’s Entry into WW1 n World War I broke out in 1914 and, as an ally of Great Britain, Canada automatically found itself in the fray. PM Robert Borden declared that "when Great Britain is at war, Canada is at war, and there is no difference at all." Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis At the start of WW1, many people volunteered to fight in the Canadian army. For the volunteers, the war was to be an adventure. As well, the war would be over very quickly. It did not go as thought. The war was long, and everyday, more and more soldiers were killed or wounded. By late-1916, people stopped volunteering. Would you volunteer to go fight in this war?

Canada Responds to Britain’s Call to Arms At the beginning of the war, Canada had a regular army of only 3,110 men. Off to War! Within 2 months, Canada could boast of an army of over 32,000 men as men flocked to recruiting stations to “ fight for the empire, ” and a chance to witness the experience of a lifetime.

Answering the Call Victory is Certain! “ We ’ ll be home by Christmas! ”

The Realities of War n However, by 1916 the realities of the war had sunk in. n 1916 was disastrous for the Allies and the situation was becoming critical. n The French and the British had suffered heavy casualties, mutinies were erupting within the French army. n German submarines were wreaking havoc and the Russian allies were on the brink of being soundly defeated. German U-Boats Allied POWs The Somme “ Blood Bath ” Typical Battle Conditions

The Harsh Realities of War Cramped ConditionsFallen Soldiers Disease in the Trenches Poison Gas AttacksIntense Close CombatHigh Losses from Artillery

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis Table 1. Canadian Casualties and Enlistments in 1917 MonthCasualties New Enlistments January February March April May June July August September October November December TOTAL

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis Canada needed new soldiers to help the Allies win the war. How could Canada get more soldiers? The Answer – Conscription. It is like the Draft. Conscription is military service by all men of a certain age. It is required by law. The Canadian government introduced the idea in Do you think everyone agreed with conscription?

War Propaganda Campaigns Do you think these Propaganda Campaigns were effective? Would they inspire you to “ Answer the Call ” ?

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis Many groups disagreed. n French-Canadians said, “No.” To the French-Canadians, Canada was fighting to protect England. This was not a French war. n Farmers said, “No.” Their sons were needed to help harvest the crops to feed the soldiers. n Labour unionists said, “No.” They needed workers to operate the machines making the war equipment.

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis Now the politics becomes interesting… Women in Canada in 1917 could not vote. Women were not persons under Canadian law. The Government of Canada had to call an election over the issue of conscription. The Government needed votes to win. Who would they let vote to win?

WW1 – The Conscription Crisis The Government negotiated with the leaders of the women’s rights groups in Canada. In return for women supporting conscription, the Government granted the vote to two groups in the next election: n Soldiers who were fighting overseas n Mothers and wives of soldiers who were fighting overseas. Why would the Government of Canada want these two groups to vote in the conscription vote? Why would the women’s rights groups agree to support the government in return for soldiers’ wives and mothers being given the right to vote?

Election Results on Conscription Divide Canada n The Union Government under Borden won the election with 153 Seats. Laurier ’ s Liberals won only 82 seats. Laurier ’ s Liberals won only 82 seats. 62 of Laurier ’ s seats were from the Province of Quebec. 62 of Laurier ’ s seats were from the Province of Quebec. Canada was completely “ polarized ” and divided with the English Canada in favour and French Canada opposed Canada was completely “ polarized ” and divided with the English Canada in favour and French Canada opposed Quebec ’ s Anti-Conscription stance Separated it from the Rest of Canada

Riots on the Streets of Quebec On Good Friday, 1918 a full-scale riot broke out in Quebec City. Angry Mobs attacked English Owned Businesses. Troops were brought in to restore order. Soldiers fired shots into the crowds killing four civilians. Henri Bourassa was disgusted with the Canadian Government referring to them as “ The Prussians next door ” (Germans next door) On Good Friday, 1918 a full-scale riot broke out in Quebec City. Angry Mobs attacked English Owned Businesses. Troops were brought in to restore order. Soldiers fired shots into the crowds killing four civilians. Henri Bourassa was disgusted with the Canadian Government referring to them as “ The Prussians next door ” (Germans next door) Riot Broke out in Quebec City

The End Result of Conscription n The intended result of the Military Service Act was to provide the war effort with an extra 100,000 men (to reach the 500,000 mark that Borden had originally promised the Allied Forces). n However, when the war came to an un-expected halt on Nov 11 th, 1918, only 24,000 (25% of the conscripted men) had reached Europe. If the war had continued, Conscription would have been a necessity. However, in the end, it ’ s real result was a serious blow to Canadian Unity (French-English Relations If the war had continued, Conscription would have been a necessity. However, in the end, it ’ s real result was a serious blow to Canadian Unity (French-English Relations Conscripted Troops arrive in Europe in 1918 when war ends