Canadian Conscription During World War 1

Conscription was used in Canada during World War 1. Conscription is the government forcing people to join the armed forces due to the lack of volunteers. However, the idea of conscription was not popular among many of the families in Canada because of large losses in the war, families requiring more help on farms and the concern of depression. Conscription was not necessary because it is dangerous for soldiers entering in conditions of war and it caused economic problems during and after the war for Canada and the current families living in Canada.

During the four years of World War 1, there were many casualties on the front. Thousands died trying to take over metres of land. Most wives felt like they were sending away their husbands and sons to die in a war that was happening overseas. In Canada alone there were 67 000 Canadians who died and 173 000 Canadians who are wounded and may have had to spend the rest of their lives in hospitals or being impaired. This meant the family would have had to support the soldier without any help from the soldier himself. Men had to leave their homes to fight in a battle they did not want to be in and leaving everything behind. This would have been very difficult for the families to bear, not knowing if loved ones were alive.

These men had no desire to fight but only wanted to return home. Therefore, their morale was low and would not have been effective as patriotic soldiers because they did not want to fight, but just wanted to stay alive and return home. If there were not any conscription, many lives would have been spared. Instead of using conscription, we could have convinced the U.S to join the war earlier to increase the Allied troops.