WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription Crisis

Recall – At the start of WW1, many people Recall – At the start of WW1, many people volunteered to fight in the Canadian army.volunteered to fight in the Canadian army.

For the volunteers, the war was to be an For the volunteers, the war was to be an adventure. As well, the war would be over adventure. As well, the war would be over very quickly.very quickly.

It did not go as thought. The war was long, It did not go as thought. The war was long, and everyday, more and more soldiers were and everyday, more and more soldiers were killed or wounded.killed or wounded.

By late-1916, people stopped volunteering.By late-1916, people stopped volunteering.

Would you volunteer to go fight in this war?Would you volunteer to go fight in this war?

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription CrisisTable 1. Canadian Casualties and Enlistments in 1917Table 1. Canadian Casualties and Enlistments in 1917

MonthMonth CasualtiesCasualties New EnlistmentsNew Enlistments

JanuaryJanuary 4 3964 396 9 1949 194

FebruaryFebruary 1 2501 250 6 8096 809

MarchMarch 6 1616 161 6 6406 640

AprilApril 13 47713 477 5 5305 530

MayMay 13 45713 457 6 4076 407

JuneJune 7 9317 931 6 3486 348

JulyJuly 7 9067 906 3 8823 882

AugustAugust 13 23213 232 3 1173 117

SeptemberSeptember 10 990 10 990 3 5883 588

OctoberOctober 5 9295 929 4 8844 884

NovemberNovember 30 74130 741 4 0194 019

DecemberDecember 7 4767 476 3 9213 921

TOTALTOTAL 122 946122 946 64 33964 339

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription Crisis

Canada needed new soldiers to help the Canada needed new soldiers to help the Allies win the war. Allies win the war.

How could Canada get more soldiers?How could Canada get more soldiers?

The Answer – Conscription. It is like the The Answer – Conscription. It is like the Draft. Conscription is military service by all Draft. Conscription is military service by all men of a certain age. It is required by law.men of a certain age. It is required by law.

The Canadian government introduced the The Canadian government introduced the idea in 1917.idea in 1917.

Do you think everyone agreed with Do you think everyone agreed with conscription?conscription?

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription Crisis

Many groups disagreed.Many groups disagreed.

French-Canadians said, “No.” To the French-Canadians said, “No.” To the French-Canadians, Canada was fighting to French-Canadians, Canada was fighting to protect England. This was not a French war.protect England. This was not a French war.

Farmers said, “No.” Their sons were Farmers said, “No.” Their sons were needed to help harvest the crops to feed the needed to help harvest the crops to feed the soldiers.soldiers.

Labour unionists said, “No.” They needed Labour unionists said, “No.” They needed workers to operate the machines making the workers to operate the machines making the war equipment. war equipment.

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription Crisis

Now the politics become interesting…Now the politics become interesting…

Women in Canada in 1917 could not Women in Canada in 1917 could not vote. Women were not persons under vote. Women were not persons under Canadian law.Canadian law.

The Government of Canada had to call The Government of Canada had to call an election over the issue of an election over the issue of conscription. conscription.

The Government needed votes to win. The Government needed votes to win. Who would they let vote to win?Who would they let vote to win?

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription CrisisThe Government negotiated with the leaders of the The Government negotiated with the leaders of the women’s rights groups in Canada.women’s rights groups in Canada.

In return for women supporting conscription, the In return for women supporting conscription, the Government granted the vote to two groups in the Government granted the vote to two groups in the next election:next election: Soldiers who were fighting overseasSoldiers who were fighting overseas Mothers and wives of soldiers who were fighting Mothers and wives of soldiers who were fighting overseas.overseas.

Why would the Government of Canada want these Why would the Government of Canada want these two groups to vote in the conscription vote?two groups to vote in the conscription vote?

Why would the women’s rights groups agree to Why would the women’s rights groups agree to support the government in return for soldiers’ support the government in return for soldiers’ wives and mothers being given the right to vote?wives and mothers being given the right to vote?

WW1 – The Conscription CrisisWW1 – The Conscription CrisisThe Government won the election. In 1918, The Government won the election. In 1918, conscription was introduced to Canada.conscription was introduced to Canada.

WW1 ended soon afterwards. Very few WW1 ended soon afterwards. Very few Canadians were conscripted.Canadians were conscripted.

However, Canada was now divided along lines of However, Canada was now divided along lines of French and English. While English-Canada has French and English. While English-Canada has largely supported conscription, French-Canada largely supported conscription, French-Canada said, “No.” This division changed Canada.said, “No.” This division changed Canada.

As well, some women could now vote. More As well, some women could now vote. More women wanted the right to vote. The door was women wanted the right to vote. The door was open…just a crack for more women’s rights.open…just a crack for more women’s rights.

The Conscription Crisis truly changed Canada.The Conscription Crisis truly changed Canada.