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Conscription

Learn about Einstein's opposition to conscription, the Conscription Crisis in Canada, enlistment and casualty rates in 1917, the impact of the Crisis on Canada's war effort, and the division it caused, especially in Quebec. Explore the Military Service Act, Wartimes Elections Act, and the influence of various regions on conscription support.

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Conscription

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  1. Conscription Canadian History

  2. Definition

  3. Einstein • “The state ______________________________. The state transgresses this commandment when it compels us by force to engage in military and war service, the more so since the object and effect of this slavish service is to kill people belonging to other countries or interfere with their freedom of development.”

  4. Einstein • One of the world’s greatest minds was a sharp critic of conscription and left Germany at an early age to avoid compulsory service. • He thought it was ridiculous that a state could force its citizens to do something that they did not agree with. He also could not believe that a state could punish its citizens if they did not comply.

  5. Einstein • States overstep their authority by compelling citizens to fight. • What do you think?

  6. Conscription Crisis in Canada • Battles like the _______, ________, ____________ and ____________ brought us together as a nation. • They gave us a sense of identity and bought us together from coast to coast. • Conscription in effect ruined what the war did for us as a nation. • It was a military and political crisis.

  7. Enlistment/Casualty Rates 1917 Month ElistmentCasualties January 9,194 4,396 February 6, 809 1,250 March 6,640 6,161 April 5,530 13,477 May 6,407 13,457 June 6,348 7,931 July 3,882 7,906 August 3,117 13 232 September 3,588 10,990 October 4,884 5,929 November 4,019 30,741 December 3,9217,476 64,339 122,946

  8. The Crisis • Shrinking enlistment seriously threatened Canada’s war effort. • Shrinking Enlistment plus growing casualties the amount of Canadians in Europe were dropping significantly. • Could severely affect the Allied effort especially at a time when Canada played an extremely important role in the war effort. • What did this mean for wounded soldiers?

  9. A Nation Divided • After a visit to Britain, PM Borden called for drastic changes. • “All citizens are liable to military service for the defences of their country, and I conceive that the battle for Canadian liberty and autonomy is being fought today on the plains of France and Belgium. The time has come when the authority of the state should be invoked to provide reinforcements necessary…” (Borden)

  10. A Nation Divided • _____________, former Prime Minister and French Canadian was strongly opposed. • He knew it would alienate Quebec and tear Canada apart. • Anti-conscription riots broke out in Montreal, _____________________.

  11. Military Service Act

  12. Wartimes Elections Act • 1917

  13. Military Voters Act

  14. National Crisis • Ontario, British Columbia and the Maritimes support conscription. • Quebec was extremely opposed. • Western Canada was divided Farmers did not support conscription. Riots broke out in Quebec city.

  15. Ineffective • ___________ people were conscripted but the majority appealed to be exempted. • Many simply did not show up. • By the end of the war only ___________ conscripted soldiers served in Europe.

  16. Activity • Make a chart showing the pros and cons of conscription. • Include names of people and groups on each side.

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