BELLWORK1. What was a primary difference in the ideologies/views

of Laurier and Borden?2. Who was Sam Hughes? What did he want from Borden?3. Which groups/people in Canada opposed their

involvement in WWI? Why?4. What were the advantages/disadvantages of Canada

integrating her military with British forces?5. THINKER: WWI is considered an important event in the

development of Canada as an independent nation. Why do you think this is? How can the experience of war foster nationalist feelings?

Canada Pre-WWI As a Dominion of the British Empire, the British

government controlled Canada’s foreign policies Gained independence in domestic issues in 1867

(British NA Act) In 1912, the Canadian military was integrated into

British defense plans. At the outbreak of WWI, Canada had a standing

military of 4,000 men & the navy consisted of two warships.

Declaration of War Britain declared war on August 4, 1914 This British declaration of war automatically

brought Canada into the conflict "It is our duty to let Great Britain know and to

let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart and that all Canadians are behind the Mother Country” (Wilfred Laurier)

Preparation for War Initial commitment was 25,000 men

Equipped & delivered to Europe at Canada’s expense…..$50 million

To facilitate this mobilization, the government passed the War Measures Act.

Fed.Gov. had the right to govern in times of “war, invasion or insurrection.”

Preparation for War Mobilization effort was dominated by

Sam Hughes Assembled, trained, equipped men for battle

(100,000 by mid-1915 & reserves in England) Organizations (YMCA & Canadian

Patriotic Fund) raised money for troops, food, uniforms, weapons

Opposition to War

Opposition existed at the outbreak of WWI, but grew as the stalemate continued.

Religious groups, farmers, French, Quebec, immigrants

Why do you think French-Canadians opposed involvement in WWI?

Anti-War demonstration in Montreal; 1917

Canada’s Role in WWI Providing troops to the allies on Western Front Supplier of primary resources

Wheat Lumber Meat Minerals

Ammunition production Imperial War Conference (Jan. 1917): Britain

expected more from her dominions, but they wanted a change in political status

HMCS Niobe stops a liner for contraband inspection off the American coast, 1914.

Payment for War Canada was already in debt & an

economic depression prior to WWI Had to borrow money…..not from

England…..who? Increased taxes (new items & income) Emerged from WWI with a debt around

$5 billion

Military Service Act of 1917 Prime Minister Borden passed the Military Service Act in 1917

which officially started conscription (the draft). It was modeled after England’s 1916 Military Service Act. This act required all male citizens, ages 20-45, to register for

the draft, and if called upon, would be required to serve for the duration of the conflict.

Why do you think Borden implemented the draft? Conscription is used throughout the 20th century by most

countries during war, including the U.S. and Canada. What are the advantages/disadvantages of conscription?

Which groups in society do you think supported the draft? Who do you think opposed it?

What do YOU think? Should the government have the right to conscript it’s citizens?

Conscription Crisis of 1917 Borden’s decision to implement the draft is still considered one of the fiercest

and most divisive debates in Canadian political history. French-Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British

immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed the measure. English-speaking Canadians, led by Prime Minister Borden and senior members

of his Cabinet, as well as British immigrants, the families of soldiers, and older Canadians, generally supported it.

The conscription debate intensified pre-existing divisions in Canada including language education, agriculture, religion, and the political rights of women and immigrants.

It also grew into a test of one's support for, or opposition to, the war as a whole. Charges of disloyalty, cowardice, and immorality from pro-conscription advocates were matched by cries of imperialism, stupidity, and bloodlust by the anti-conscription camp.

PM Borden was re-elected in 1918 due to the support of the English-speaking majority and military. He lost in French/agricultural regions.

Conscription Results For many Canadians, the draft was an important and necessary

contribution to a faltering war effort; for others, it was an oppressive act passed dishonestly by a government more British than Canadian.

Farmers sought agricultural exemptions from compulsory service until the end of the war. Borden's government, anxious for farmers' votes, agreed to limited exemptions, largely for farmers' laboring sons, but broke the promise after the election.

French Canadians did not feel the same patriotism and support for Great Britain that English Canadians did

Immigrants and minorities did not support it because they still had no political voice

Conscription Results French-speaking Canadians protested throughout 1917-18; young men by the tens of thousands joined others from across Canada in refusing to register for the selection process.

Of those that did register, 93% applied for an exemption.

An effort to arrest suspected draft dodgers was highly unpopular across the province and resulted in several days of rioting and street battles in Quebec in 1918. The violence left four civilians dead and dozens injured, and shocked supporters on both sides.

Conscription would have minimal impact on Canada's war effort. By the end of WWI in November 1918, only 48,000 conscripts had been sent overseas, half of which ultimately served at the front. More than 50,000 more conscripts remained in Canada. These would have been required had the war continued into 1919

HOMEWORK Tomorrow we will focus on US involvement in

WWI. For homework tonight, read pgs. 42-44 in

the packet. Focus any notes/annotations on

Russian Withdrawal US declaration of war & why? Its effects on the balance of power

Conscription Activity: Silent Debate You and a partner will engage in a silent debate activity

focusing on the pros/cons of Canadian Conscription. Partner A: representing the interests of French Canadians Partner B: representing the interest of English Canadians Follow the guidelines on the handout – make sure you use

evidence to back up your arguments. Afterwards, you and your partner must come to a conclusion,

so make sure you are paying attention to counter-arguments Remember…… NO TALKING!!!!!

Canada’s Current Status As the Dominions acquired autonomy and then independence from Britain, the Empire evolved

into the Commonwealth, with a voluntary and equal membership of independent states. England had a few powers to make laws for Canada until the new Constitution Act was passed

in 1982. Currently, Canada is technically independent. It just so happens that it shares the British monarch, as dictated by the Constitution Act - so Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada

Nevertheless, the Queen has come to acquire some symbolically-important roles as Head of the Commonwealth. Her formal functions include opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, and giving her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth. She is kept informed of political developments in Commonwealth countries through the heads of government.

Furthermore, she is supplied with information by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London - created in 1965 by all Commonwealth members, essentially to aid inter-governmental co-operation

All speeches which she makes in a Commonwealth monarchy, for example Canada or Australia, are made on the advice and responsibility of the prime minister of the country concerned.

Canada owes its independence from Britain to political developments, rather than legal changes in the formal constitution

This fundamental transfer of executive power, which brought with it complete independence in foreign relations, was achieved almost entirely by constitutional convention.

http://thecommonwealth.org/member-countries

DISCUSSION1. Explain Canada’s political status pre-WWI.2. How did Canada prepare for war?3. List 3 ways Canada contributed to the war effort. 4. What was decided at the Imperial War Conference?5. THINKER: As you know the implementation of the

draft by PM Borden in 1917 led to a wave of opposition/protests from Canadian citizens. What do YOU think? Should the government have the right to conscript it’s citizens?

2013 Writing Assignment: Conscription For this writing assignment, you are to take on the viewpoint of either- A Canadian soldier fighting on the Western front A Canadian Farmer An English Canadian A French Canadian An Immigrant (not native to Canada) From this person’s perspective, you will write a letter to Prime Minister

Borden expressing your support/opposition to the Military Service Act. You must include support/evidence to back up your opinion. Get into

character! Why would that person support/oppose the draft? Show your understanding of conscription and the debate present during the war!

Due Wednesday and needs to be min. 2 paragraphs