3.6.1 Canada in World War I: Before Conscription

Should nations pursue national interest?

Big Idea:

  • National interest, foreign policy, and nationalism affect each other.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday, 1917


By R. Jack
Canadian War Museum     


When World War I started in 1914, Canada was immediately at war because it was still part of the British Empire (also called the United Kingdom). Although Canada had become a country in 1867 (Confederation), Canada was not completely independent of Great Britain, especially in its foreign policy (how it dealt with other countries). When Britain and its allies, France and Russia (all three countries were known as the Triple Entente), declared war against Germany and Austria-Hungary, Canada was at war to support Britain's side of the fight.

What did this mean for Canada's national interests during World War I? As a dominion in the British commonwealth, 

  • Canada's government was based on the British system of government.
  • Canada's population of British immigrants was between 7 to 8% (a population that was still quite loyal to Great Britain).
  • Canada was established as a new country in 1867. But after that point in time, there was still a lot of nationalistic commitment to Great Britain. Many Canadians believed Canada's national interest was the same as Britain's national interest. If Britain was fighting a war against Germany, then so was Canada.

Francophone Perspective of WWI

Some Canadians disagreed with participation in World War I, including French-Canadians in Quebec.

  • Some French-Canadians were suspicious towards the British Empire after Britain's conquest of New France in 1760, and resentment toward France's historical lack of interest in supporting French culture meant French-Canadians did not identify with either nation in the war.

  • French-Canadian resentment was directed at Canada's treatment of French language and culture. Regulation 17 (a bill passed in 1912) was designed to limit the availability of French-speaking schools to the minority of French-speakers in Ontario. This bill was perceived to be an attempt at assimilation, which French-Canadians had been fighting against for generations.

Regardless of whether Canadian citizens supported or resented Great Britain's entry into World War I, Canada had to enter because Canada's foreign policy was under British control.

Why Use Conscription?

The use of conscription (mandatory military service) is not new. After the French Revolution in 1789, France established a form of conscription where all able-bodied and unmarried male citizens (between the ages of 18 and 25) had a duty to defend their nation. Other nations, including Prussia, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, implemented conscription as well. Initially, Great Britain had been able to rely on volunteer recruits fueled by patriotism. But, Great Britain quickly realized after the first year of WWI the Allies could not continue fighting with only volunteer recruits.

Before the Conscription Crisis

While Canadian volunteers for the war were initially plentiful (especially in light of high rates of unemployment), those who signed up believed the war would be short. As the war dragged on, and home economic conditions improved, the number of men signing up for the war began to decrease despite then-Prime Minister Robert Borden's increase in recruitment rallies throughout Canada.

The staggering loss of troops impacted the willingness of people to sign up. A Canadian soldier had a 10% chance of being killed. For example, the Battle of Second Ypres (1915) cost Canada 6 000 soldiers (1/3 of its force at the time), and the Battle of the Somme (1916) cost Canada 24 029 in casualties. Although propaganda was used to encourage more enlistment, most citizens at home were no longer eager to fight in the "war to end all wars". View the tabs below to learn how Canada used propaganda posters to support war efforts overseas.



High casualty rates fueled an increase in advertisements targeted at men to enlist. Propaganda posters were used to increase patriotism in Canadians. The recruitment posters (left and right) illustrate how patriotic images were used to increase nationalism.
  • The poster (left) is written in French to recruit French-Canadians into the war. Note the church burning in France (a religious symbol being attacked), as well as the French feminine symbol of Liberty wearing a red phrygian cap (from the French Revolution). Liberty is reaching out for help from France, where much of WWI was fought.

  • The poster (right) uses the words "liberty" and "your flag" next to a soldier. Great Britain's flag, along with a sense of fighting for freedom (liberty) often stirred strong feelings of loyalty and patriotism.





Not all Canadian citizens could go and fight in WWI. But Canada relied on the participation of its citizens in whatever capacity they could manage.

  • Bonds: War costs a lot of money. In the poster (right), the government appealed to Canadian patriotism by asking citizens to buy government/war bonds to help support the troops. Bonds were a way for a government to "borrow" money (at a high rate of interest to the lender) to finance war efforts. Bonds were available in a variety of denominations and were offered to people of all classes. Buying bonds was not only a way for individuals to contribute to the war, but was also a sign of patriotism, or often, a bow to social pressure.

  • The poster (left) shows three women pulling a plow in a field. The text translates to "They serve France. Everyone can serve. Buy Victory Bonds." This poster could have been designed to appeal to French-Canadian women, to encourage them to contribute, in their own way, to the war.




The Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917


Throughout 1916 Canada increased its recruitment efforts. But, in a January 1917 radio broadcast, Sir Robert Borden promised Great Britain an additional 500 000 troops. This promise would be difficult to keep, as Canada's population in 1917 was approximately eight million people.

Protests against the war were also beginning. Canada's people cited reasons for opposition, such as improved economic wages and higher employment at home, political divisions, and losses of sons in the conflict.
Map of Vimy Ridge
© Wikimedia
(click image for larger view)

Borden faced an additional challenge. After months of training, preparation, and surveillance, on April 9, 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked Vimy Ridge in an attempt to gain a higher vantage point and break the stalemate on the Western Front.

After five days, Vimy Ridge was successfully taken, but not without significant losses. The Canadian Corps had over 10 000 casualties (out of a month's total of 23 939). Recent enlistment had only brought 4 761 men, which was not nearly enough to replace the losses at Vimy Ridge.


Watch

The Battle of Vimy Ridge marked an important event in the development of Canada's national identity. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps trained, prepared, and attacked together as a Canadian unit. In addition, Canada's soldiers built roads, tunnels, and trenches, as well as moved crucial supplies for troops. Their actions solidified Canada's reputation as hardworking, smart, and strategic people.

While some argue Vimy Ridge did not significantly impact the outcome of the war, Canadians gained national pride through their achievements during World War I.
To learn why the Battle of Vimy Ridge is important to Canadians, click here to watch The National's video "Why the Battle of Vimy Ridge Matters". 


Prime Minister Borden was facing pressure to fulfill his promise of troops to Britain, while also trying to replace troops lost throughout the war. But, recruits were not coming forward. Although he had made promises against conscription during his election, on August 29, 1917, Borden's government introduced a conscription law, the Military Services Act.

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