conscription crisis “not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary”

Conscription Crisis

“Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary”

Royal 22 Regiment

young French-Canadians joined the few traditional French-speaking regiments of the Canadian army

National Resources Mobilization Act - 1940

register men and women and move them into home front jobs ONLY

“Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary.”

Plebiscite

asked the population to allow the government to take back its promise made during the 1940 election

“Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary.”

French-speaking Canadians Voted heavily against73%

English-speaking Canadians Voted heavily in favour83%

Bill 80Repeals promiseMade in NRMA

To not sendConscripts overseas

Montreal

there were a few riots in Montreal, although these were not on the same scale as the 1917 and 1918 riots

Conscription

Few conscripts saw combat in Europe

Politically - a successful gamble for King

remained in power until his retirement in 1948.