CONSCRIPTION COMES TO BRITAIN

The reaction to the declaration of war in August 1914 was mixed. Peace campaigners felt dismay while others greeted it with enthusiasm and a promise of opportunity. In many people’s minds war was exciting and noble with brave cavalry charges, and heroic deeds just as in the books and magazines. For others it was an escape from a dull job, grinding poverty, a wage and even a decent meal. Patriotism too was a motivation for some. In any case many said the war would be all over by Christmas. Now as then few understood what war actually meant.

As the war went on beyond Christmas and large numbers of soldiers were being killed and seriously injured the numbers joining voluntarily were not sufficient to replace them. The relentless logic of war and the willingness of politicians and the military leadership meant that if not enough men joined the army voluntarily they would have to be forced to do so. Negotiating a halt to hostilities was not an option to those determined to win at all costs.

Before the war some politicians and right wing press had long campaigned for compulsion as an effective means of social control but conscription had been widely unpopular. Trade unions, political parties and religious groups were all vocal in their opposition to its introduction. They were well aware of the social, industrial and political consequences of forcing men into the army. Many had worked hard to keep conscription from becoming law.

By the June 1915 supporters of conscription began to gain wider support and for the first time in British history, politicians began to seriously debate forcing millions of men against their will into the armed forces. Debates raged across the country. Trade unions lobbied against it; MPs resigned over it, but by 5th January 1916 the Military Service Act came into law.

Under intense pressure the government was forced to include a 'conscience' clause into the bill in order for it to pass. This meant that men who had a 'conscientious objection' to killing fellow human beings could be exempted. What a conscientious objection was, was not made clear.

First statesmen failed to prevent war, now they discarded long cherished values of freedom from coercion by the state. Compulsory Conscription meant more than just turning men into soldiers. Conscription stripped men of their civil liberties, tore them from home and family and gave the army total control over their lives for an indefinite period.

| in the hands of the military