1. Canadian Experiences
Lesson 12

2. Definitions Conscription Forced enlistment in the armed forces
Pacifist
Someone who opposes war.
Conscientious Objector
Someone who objects to war as a matter of conscience.

3. What are your reactions to Evans’ experience?
Was it fair?
How would you have reacted if you were in Evans’ shoes?
What would you have done if you were the officer?

4. Did the actions of individuals and groups make Canada stronger?
Did the actions of John Evans make Canada stronger? Why, or why not?
Did the actions of the officer make Canada stronger? Why, or why not?
Read p

5. Reactions to the War
Canadians reacted in different ways to World War I. Some were enthusiastic about the war effort and supported it completely. Many men, for example, eagerly joined the armed forces. Women worked overseas and at home in a variety of jobs that supported the war effort.
Not everyone supported the war, however. Many people were against the war - or something about the war - for many different reasons.

6. Opposition to the War
Many people of French descent felt no special ties to Britain or France. They believed the war had nothing to do with them, and they especially disliked conscription.
French-speaking Canadians were not the only ones who opposed the war. Many Canadians who were not of British descent - and even some who were - believed that Canada should not be involved in a European war.

7. Pacifists
Pacifists opposed the war because they believed that all disagreements should be settled peacefully. Some religious groups, such as Mennonites and Doukhobors, believed in pacifism. As a result, young men from these groups did not enlist. When the conscription law was passed, it did not include members of these groups.
Some other Canadians were also pacifists, even though they did not belong to one of the pacifist religious groups. These pacifists could apply to be excused from combat.

8. Pacifists
Men who asked to be excused from combat because they did not believe in war were called conscientious objectors. Although conscientious objectors were not forced into combat, they were required to serve in other ways, such as helping in hospitals.
Making the decision to become a conscientious objector was not easy. Conscientious objectors sometimes had a hard time. Some people treated them badly and accused them of being unpatriotic cowards.

9. Other Sources of Disagreement
Many Aboriginal people supported the war effort and joined the armed forces but disagreed with conscription. Although their treaty rights exempted them from conscription, they worried that the government would change its mind about this. In addition, many Aboriginal people did not have the right to vote. As a result, they believed that they should not be forced to serve in the armed forces.
Conscription was not the only issue that divided Canadians. People also disagreed over other things, such as whether Germans and Ukrainians should be locked up in internment camps.

10. Other Sources of Disagreement
These disagreements and others, such as giving some women the vote, made the war years - and the years after the war - a challenging time for Canada. In some ways, the war united Canadians - but it also created deep splits in Canadian society. Some issues created resentment and even hatred between ethnic groups. People argued about the war, and these arguments sometimes led to violence.

11. Communicating with Different Audiences
How does your style of writing vary depending on your purpose or audience?
How is a text message written to a friend different than a letter applying for a job?
How is an note explaining an absence from school different that a request for an extension on an assignment?
Historians have to keep the purpose and audience in mind when reading historical documents.

12. Communicating with Different Audiences
Imagine you are a conscientious objector who has been conscripted during World War I. You have to write a letter to the authorities to persuade them to excuse you from combat.
What is the purpose of the letter?
Who is the audience?
What style will the letter take? Formal? Casual?
What types of things would you say in the letter?

13. Thinking about Different Audiences
Complete TLS Worksheet Thinking about Different Audiences
How would the letter change if the purpose of the letter is to persuade someone else to become a conscientious objector?
How would the letter change if the purpose of the letter is to persuade a conscientious objector to fight?

14. Building Block – Create a Poster
TLS – Purpose & Audience
Building Block – Create a Poster handout
E&A – Building Block Rubric

15. Qualities of Effective Posters
They fire the imagination of the intended audience and make its members eager to fulfil the intended purpose.
They often use guilt to motivate people to take action.
They use catchy headlines to attract the attention of the audience.
They use clear, readable type that is visible from a distance.
They use images that relate to their audience and purpose.