World War IWorld War I

The Conscription CrisisThe Conscription Crisis

BackgroundBackground

Canadians expected WWI to be over quickly, Canadians expected WWI to be over quickly, many thought by the end of 1914many thought by the end of 1914

War dragged on, casualty numbers increasedWar dragged on, casualty numbers increased Fewer volunteers enlisting in the militaryFewer volunteers enlisting in the military By 1917, PM Robert Borden decided By 1917, PM Robert Borden decided

conscription in Canada was necessaryconscription in Canada was necessary Conscription – mandatory military serviceConscription – mandatory military service Borden had previously promised no conscriptionBorden had previously promised no conscription Introduced the Introduced the Military Service ActMilitary Service Act (exceptions at (exceptions at

first – first – conscientious objectorsconscientious objectors, farmers, etc.), farmers, etc.)

Opposition to ConscriptionOpposition to Conscription QuebecQuebec

Lowest voluntary enlistment rate in CanadaLowest voluntary enlistment rate in Canada Few officers spoke FrenchFew officers spoke French Most French soldiers put in English regimentsMost French soldiers put in English regiments

Exception: Twenty-Second Battalion (Van Doos)Exception: Twenty-Second Battalion (Van Doos) Many French-Canadians still angry over Ontario Many French-Canadians still angry over Ontario

restricting French in schools (1912)restricting French in schools (1912) Most French-Canadians did not feel connected to Most French-Canadians did not feel connected to

Britain or FranceBritain or France Conscription forces them to fight in someone else’s warConscription forces them to fight in someone else’s war

Henri BourassaHenri Bourassa Led by Quebec politician Led by Quebec politician

Henri BourassaHenri Bourassa Believed that WWI had Believed that WWI had

little to do with Canadalittle to do with Canada Too many soldiers and Too many soldiers and

money spent already, more money spent already, more would endanger Canada’s would endanger Canada’s economic future and economic future and decrease the country’s decrease the country’s autonomyautonomy

Canadians should not be Canadians should not be forced to fight in a foreign forced to fight in a foreign warwar

Opposition to ConscriptionOpposition to Conscription

PrairiesPrairies Farmers needed sons and workers to work on their farmsFarmers needed sons and workers to work on their farms

FactoriesFactories Industrial workers felt they were already contributing, Industrial workers felt they were already contributing,

didn’t want to give up jobsdidn’t want to give up jobs British ColumbiaBritish Columbia

Vancouver Island coal miners already struggling to Vancouver Island coal miners already struggling to provide for family, conscription meant less moneyprovide for family, conscription meant less money

Labour leader Ginger Goodwin hid, eventually killedLabour leader Ginger Goodwin hid, eventually killed

1917 Election1917 Election

PM Borden calls an election to check for PM Borden calls an election to check for support of conscriptionsupport of conscription

Passes new legislation firstPasses new legislation first Military Voters ActMilitary Voters Act – men and women serving in – men and women serving in

Europe can voteEurope can vote Wartime Elections ActWartime Elections Act – all Canadian women – all Canadian women

related to soldiers allowed to vote; conscientious related to soldiers allowed to vote; conscientious objectors and recent immigrants from enemy objectors and recent immigrants from enemy countries not allowed to votecountries not allowed to vote

1917 Election1917 Election

1917 Election1917 Election

1917 Election1917 Election

PM Borden (Conservative) invited pro-conscription PM Borden (Conservative) invited pro-conscription Liberals to join him and his Cabinet in a Union Liberals to join him and his Cabinet in a Union GovernmentGovernment Liberal Party leader Wilfrid Laurier against conscription, Liberal Party leader Wilfrid Laurier against conscription,

unless Canada directly attacked or invadedunless Canada directly attacked or invaded Union Government won, but country dividedUnion Government won, but country divided

Liberals won 95% of Quebec seats (results on p. 41)Liberals won 95% of Quebec seats (results on p. 41) Union Government won 88% of seats outside of QuebecUnion Government won 88% of seats outside of Quebec Anti-conscription riots in Quebec City, Easter 1918Anti-conscription riots in Quebec City, Easter 1918

Four demonstrators dead, ten soldiers woundedFour demonstrators dead, ten soldiers wounded

Anti-Conscription RiotsAnti-Conscription Riots

Result of ConscriptionResult of Conscription

404,000 men conscripted 404,000 men conscripted 380,500 applied for exemptions (medical, etc.)380,500 applied for exemptions (medical, etc.) 130,000 eventually were enlisted130,000 eventually were enlisted 25,000 reached France before the war ended25,000 reached France before the war ended