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Mackenzie King's Arguments In Favor Of Conscription In Canada

1356 Words6 Pages

Conscription, a policy first implemented in WWI by the government of Canada, required all men of adequate health and age to enlist in the military. This implementation initially sparked immense outrage within the French-Canadian community, inciting riots and protests nationwide. As a direct result of the damaged unity caused by the policy in the First World War, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King promised not to implement the policy in the Second World War. However, as the War progressed, King became conflicted between prioritizing the War effort or the nation's unity. Ultimately, King concluded that conscription was necessary, and on November 22nd, 1944, the Canadian government imposed mandatory overseas enlistment on soldiers who …show more content…

On April 27th, 1944, the Canadian Government held a vote on whether they should implement conscription. The vote resulted in 80% of civilians outside of Quebec (predominantly English heritage) voting in favor of conscription and 72% of Quebecers voting against conscription ultimately ending with 62% of the Canadian population voting in favor of conscription. This direct correlation between the English population and voting in favor of conscription suggests the sentimental ties held by English Canadians to Britain. Moreover, as initially shown through the demographics of the referendum votes, Canada’s ties to Britain were historically rooted within the country. These ties that were most evident in the English majority showcased a shared British heritage amongst the Canadian population. This shared heritage among Canadians led to an increased loyalty toward Britain, with Anglophones framing it as a collective responsibility to aid their “motherland” in times of war. Furthermore, during the beginning of World War II, Canada’s commitment to the War, as determined by the government in an attempt to please French Canadians, was initially limited. However, the English majority refused to accept this constrained militaristic commitment to Britain. This refusal to comply saw 1.1 Million predominately English men and women enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Ultimately, as the War continued, Canada’s newly determined aggressive Wartime commitment to Britain, influenced by the intense sentimental ties held by the population, required an increasingly large militaristic contribution, thus supporting the implementation of

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