Opposition+to+the+War

The Feelings of a World War 1 Veteran.... Feelings of a WW1 Veteran Video

Conscientious Objectors and Pacifists
 Some cultural and religious groups had come to Canada, partly to avoid military service in their home countries. They were conscientious objectors, people who absolutely refuse to fight in wars as a matter of personal conscience. Such views are often, but not always, associated with particular religious beliefs.

 In Canada during the Great War, religious communities of Mennonites, Hutterites, Quakers, and Doukhobors were all classed as conscientious objectors. These groups had formed large, close-knit farming communities, especially in western Canada and Southern Ontario. Their communities helped Canada indirectly by supplying much-needed food for the home front and Europe.

 Other Canadians (including Sam Hughes's niece) were pacifists. They preferred peaceful negotiations rather than war to settle differences. They were a small minority among Canadians during the war and, like the conscientious objectors, often paid a heavy price for their beliefs. For example, a Winnipeg social worker, Reverend J.S. Woodsworth, spoke out against the Great War and forced enlistment. As a result, he was fired from his government social research position. In 1921 Woodsworth was elected to Parliament, he later became the founder of what is now the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Commonwealth Objectors Deserters and Executions

Did You Know?
 For every Mennonite who didn't have to enlist, Ontario Mennonites; donated $100 for relief (but not for the war itself). Today, the Central Mennonite Relief Committee continues to raise large amounts of money for people around the world affected by wars and natural disasters.

Questions
 1. List similarities and differences between a conscientious objector and a pacifist. Were conscientious objectors and pacifists treated fairly during the war? Give examples for each group.

 2. The law recognizes the right of people who are pacifists or conscientious objectors to be free from military service. Should these Canadians serve in some other way?

3. What does it mean to "glorify war"?

4. Now, thinking about Remembrance Day, how could you have a ceremony that would respect the wishes of soldiers like you've learned about in this lesson?