The Canadian Home
Front
Ms. Campbell
Socials 11
Conscription

When World War One broke out, Prime
Minister Borden promised Canadians there
would be no conscription
–

Conscription is compulsory military service
By 1917 it was obvious that Canada needed
more troops than volunteer enlistment was
providing
Conscription

The Military Service Bill made enlistment
compulsory for all Canadian men between 20
and 45
–

Initially, exemptions were made for the disabled,
the clergy, those with essential jobs or special
skills, and conscientious objectors (who opposed
the war on religious grounds)
Conscription was very controversial and
ended up dividing the country
Conscription
French
English
Conscription Debates
Steps
1) Divide into groups based on egg colour
1)
2)
2)
3)
4)
Purple = French
Blue = English
Read textbook (page 49-51)
Prepare an argument
Debates
Union Government

Borden quickly realized there was strong
opposition to conscription
–
–
He decided to try and strengthen his position by
requesting a union government
Laurier was strongly against conscription and
refused
Union Government

The election in 1917 is now referred to as the
Khaki Election
–
Borden tried to win military votes by introducing
the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections
Act

Military Voters Act: allowed men and women serving
overseas to vote

Wartime Elections Act: gave the vote to Canadian
women related to servicemen and cancelled the vote for
conscientious objectors and recent immigrants
Financing the War

By 1918 the war cost $2.5 million per day so
the government created new plans to cover
the cost
–
–
–
Victory Bonds were sold and could be cashed
later for profit
Income Tax was introduced as a supposedly
temporary measure
Corporate Tax charged businesses four percent of
their revenues
Financing the War
Despite these efforts, the government still had
to borrow money from the United States to
pay its debts
Halifax Explosion
Steps
1) Read page 47
2) Fill in the answers on your notes sheet
The Role of Women
Steps
1) Read pages 39 and 46-47
2) Fill in the answers on your notes sheet
Should Women Get the Vote?
Rationing

Honour Rationing was a civilian effort to
consume less and conserve supplies on the
home front
–
–
Butter and sugar were particularly limited
Meatless Fridays and Fuel-less Sundays saved
supplies
Rationing
What ingredients do you think of
when you hear “cake”?
Rationing – War Cake

1 lb. raisins
2 c. boiling water
1 tbsp. baking soda
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. cold water
4 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. walnuts, chopped

Simmer the raisins and the boiling water for 15 minutes. Add the rest
of the ingredients. Bake in a tube pan, at 325 degrees, for about 1
hour, or until well browned. This cake is called "War Cake" because
there are no eggs, butter, or milk among the ingredients, items often in
short supply during war time.