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The Conscription Crisis: The Events that led to a National Crisis in 1917

The Conscription Crisis: The Events that led to a National Crisis in 1917. The Conscription Crisis (1917) in World War One. Canada’s entry into the war The War Measures Act (1914) Militia Act (1916) Conscription War Voters Act Reaction in Quebec Summary. VS. Wilfred Laurier.

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The Conscription Crisis: The Events that led to a National Crisis in 1917

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  1. The Conscription Crisis: The Events that led to a National Crisis in 1917

  2. The Conscription Crisis (1917)in World War One • Canada’s entry into the war • The War Measures Act (1914) • Militia Act (1916) • Conscription • War Voters Act • Reaction in Quebec • Summary VS Wilfred Laurier Robert Borden Quebec Premier Henri Bourassa

  3. Canada’s Entry into WW1 Borden: "when Great Britain is at war, Canada is at war, and there is no difference at all." Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden

  4. Borden Introduces The War Measures Act (1914) • “the Governor in Council shall have the power to do and authorize such acts and things, and to make from time to time, such orders and regulations, as he may by reason of the existence of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection, deem necessary or advisable for the security, defence, peace, order and welfare of Canada.” Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden introduces the War Measures Act when Canada enters WW1

  5. Canada Responds to Britain’s Call to Arms • At the beginning of the war, Canada had a regular army of only 3110 men. • 2 months later, 32,000 men • as men flocked to recruiting stations to “fight for the empire” • .“We’ll be home by Christmas!” Off to War! Answering the Call Victory is Certain!

  6. The Realities of War • Heavy casualties • Mutinies were erupting within the French army • German submarines • Russians on brink of defeat • Factories & farms offer well paid jobs The Somme “Blood Bath” Typical Battle Conditions Allied POWs German U-Boats

  7. By 1916 Canadian Troops Knew all About The Harsh Realities of War Disease in the Trenches Fallen Soldiers Cramped Conditions Poison Gas Attacks Intense Close Combat High Losses from Artillery

  8. Canadians Were Answering the Call • Approximately 312,000 men and officers had enlisted by the end of 1916 • But Borden had pledged 500,000 men to Britain for the war effort.

  9. Volunteer Enlistment & Casualities 1917

  10. War Propaganda Campaigns • Do you think these Propaganda Campaigns were effective? • Would they inspire you to “Answer the Call”?

  11. Borden Responds with Conscription • In Canada, conscription is established by vote in the House of Commons • When conscription becomes law, you must enlist, otherwise you go to jail. • Military Service Act becomes law on August 29th, 1917

  12. Conscription Conscription becomes an election issue heading in to 1918

  13. Extending the Vote • In order to get the votes he needed, Borden passed two new acts: • Military Voters Act:Law that extended the right to vote to all men and women in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. • War-time Elections ActLaw which extended the right to vote to the mothers, wives, and sisters of the soldiers serving, while at the same time refusing that right to citizens from enemy countries. Pro Conscription Poster

  14. Election Results on Conscription Divide Canada • The Union Government under Borden won the election with 153 Seats. • Laurier’s Liberals won only 82 seats. • 62 of Laurier’s seats were from the Province of Quebec. • Canada was completely “polarized” and divided with the English Canada in favour and French Canada opposed Quebec’s Anti-Conscription stance Separated it from the Rest of Canada

  15. Reaction to Conscription in Quebec • The recruiting effort in Quebec had failed • No particular loyalty to either Britain or France. • Almost every French-Canadian MP voted against it and every English-Canadian MP voted for it • Henri Bourassa: "Canada had no business in a blatantly imperialistic European war". Henri Bourassa

  16. Riots on the Streets of Quebec • Good Friday, 1918 • Riot breaks out in Quebec City • Angry Mobs attacked English Owned Businesses • Troops were brought in to restore order. • Soldiers fired shots into the crowds killing 5 civilians. Riot Broke out in Quebec City

  17. The End Result of Conscription • Goal- reach the 500 000 men that Borden had promised Britain • Of the 100 000 conscripts only 24,000 (25% of the conscripted men) had reached Europe. • Real result- was a serious blow to Canadian Unity (French-English Relations Conscripted Troops arrive in Europe in 1918 when war ends

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