CONSCRIPTION CRISIS (WW2)

When Second World War broke out, Prime Minister Mackenzie King did not want to revisit the Conscription Crisis because it threatened to tear Canada apart during the First World War. He promised that he would not enforce mandatory enlistment for overseas military services. However, in 1940, fear spread that the war might reach the Canadian shores, so King introduced the National Resources Mobilization Act that demanded all men in Canada to register for military services. Besides, he kept his promise that there would be no compulsory conscription for overseas services. Then, on 27 April 1942, King held a plebiscite to ask Canadians to discharge him from his previous pledge.

English Canadians were eager to defend their homeland but at the same time, French Canadians were not willing to fight for Britain. As a result, 79% of the English Canadians voted YES whereas 72% of the French Canadians voted NO. This showed how divided the Canadians were on Conscription.

To take no risk, King waited to impose Conscription until 1944. He saw a chance of victory but the number of casualties were rising. Therefore, in November 1944, he issued an Order-in-Council to send 16000 troops overseas. Conscription was implemented in 1944 in Canada. King was successful in controlling the Canadian citizens. English Canadians were happy with the decision. French Canadians were not very disappointed because they thought that King listened to them and avoided Conscription for as long as possible.

With King's decision of imposing Conscription because he did not break his promise. King did not want to go against the citizens so instead of taking any decision himself, he left it to the people and allowed them to decide whether conscription should be imposed or not. He held a plebiscite to know the views of people and did what the majority of Canadians wanted him to do. This showed democracy. He took the decision at the right time and without leaving the people dissatisfied. Though some French Canadians were still against Conscription which resulted in some minor protests, most of them were satisfied with the decision. King responded to the majority of Canada and did what he felt was right and good for Canada.

As being citizens of Canada, it was one of their priorities to fight for it. Furthermore, contributing to the war can lead to a victory which is good for their own families. Their children would not have to grow up in a war and become its victim. Canada did not automatically join the Second World War, it was its own decision. So, leaving the war in between and refusing to send more troops could lead to its bad reputation. Canada has always been known for helping others so it was Canadians’ duty to go to the war and send people for their country’s well- maintained reputation.

Conscription in the First World War. Many men were dying and getting injured in the war. Subsequently, Prime Minister Robert Borden imposed Conscription in 1917. In World War 1, French Canadians were against Conscription because they felt no loyalty to France (they felt that France abandoned them) and Britain (the country that once ruled them) whereas English Canadians did not mind going to war. The conditions were almost the same in the Second World War. English Canadians were eagerly in favour of Conscription and the French Canadians opposed because of hatred towards Britain. During both the times, specific groups had different views on Conscription.

Most of the English Canadians were eager to serve their country and showed how much they loved it while the French Canadians were unwilling to help Britain. They did not want to serve a country which once ruled them and took their independence away. Most of the English Canadians preferred to serve in the war because Britain was their homeland. Therefore, they were ready to step out and fight for it. Canadians from different backgrounds had different views on Conscription based their personal relations with other countries (Britain).

Jones, Richard, and J.L. Granatstein. "Conscription." The Canadian Encyclopedia,

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/conscription/.