1.  Is the enlisting of new soldiers to increase or replace an army’s fighting capacity.  BRITAIN  Concerned about numbers immediately due to a small standing army of 710,000 (reliant on Royal Navy for defence)  Voluntary armed forces until 1916  By Dec 1914, 1 million had volunteered  By Dec 1915, 3 million had volunteered BUT 2 million still had not…

2.  BRITAIN (continued)  5/8/1914: Lord Kitchener appointed Secretary of State for War & launched recruitment campaign featuring famous poster  Volunteers known as Kitchener’s New Army

3.  BRITAIN (continued)  In Oct 1915, Lord Derby appointed Director of Recruitment: all men called upon to ‘attest’ (promise) to join up when required – failed to achieve desired effect  Women then targeted to persuade men to enlist in poster campaign (white feather as symbol of cowardice)

4.  BRITAIN (continued)  Conscription introduced in Jan 1916, first for all unmarried men aged 20-41; then in May, all men aged 18-41.  Created idea of ‘conscientious objectors’ – men opposed to war for pacifist/religious/ personal reasons. If genuine, they were permitted to take up non-combat roles.  Those who rejected non- combat roles went to gaol.

5.  GERMANY  Conscription in force since 1871, thus there was no need to increase voluntary recruitment.