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Mackenzie King's Arguments In Favor Of Conscription In Canada

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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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The Military Service Act was passed in the House of Commons on July 24, 1917, thanks to the support of nearly all English-speaking Members of Parliament, and in spite of the opposition of nearly all French-speaking MPs. On August 28, conscription became law and was followed by two days of violence in Montreal. Store windows were smashed and tramway rails ripped up.

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Events from the Home Front #1 - Conscription One of the most serious controversies experienced by many at the home front during WW1 was conscription. In 1914 Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden declared that conscription would never be necessary in Canada. Only 2810 men signed up to fight during the war but the Canadian government needed more men. In 1917 conscription was introduced and men were forced to enlist for the war as a result of the Military Service Act that was passed by Prime Minister Borden. Men aged 20-45 were forced to leave their families, join the war and fight for Britain.

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There was a political debate over governments wish to bring in conscription. Many people had sons, bothers, husband fighting in the frontline knew there were a shortage of men and feared that this would lead to injuries or deaths of their loved ones. There were many pros and anti-conscription forces. The pro of conscription were that Australian units had very high causalities because they were often used as front line troops. Voluntary enlistment had dropped, but the Australian governments committed to the British government to maintain a substantial army.

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This promise would appeal to the French Canadians that did not feel a connection to Britain and did not feel any sense of loyalty. He also saw how conscription divided Canada at the end of the first world war, and did not want to recreate that scene. There came a time near the end of world war two when there was a shortage of men. This was due as a result of D-Day and the Dieppe raid. Many men were dying in the war and that must have discouraged other men in Canada from signing up.

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Canada has been defined by its contributions at home and abroad in WWI, WWII, and peacekeeping. World War I played an important role in Canada’s history. It shaped Canada by giving women suffrage and by the war creating a greater divide between French and English Canadians. By the end of WWI, the Canadian government

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