Conscientious Objectors Flashcards
In WW1 describe the situation of enrolment in the army
At the start of the war, the government relied on volunteers to fight. 1 million joined the army but as the war dragged on and casualties mounted, in 1916 the government introduced conscription
How many refused to join to fight in ww1 because they were conscientious objectors?
16,000
What were the COs reasoning for refusing to fight in ww1?
Most refused to fight on religious groups and pointed to the commandment ‘thy shall not kill’
Other than religion, what reason did COs have for refusing to join the war?
Argued it was an argument between the ruling classes of Europe rather than ordinary people. For example, Percy Fawcett Goldsborough, a member of the British socialist party, refused to join the war and claimed it was caused by the greed of diplomats and money lords which had nothing to do with the working classes
What were local tribunals?
A special court where COs had to appear and state their case if they refused to join the army. During ww1 these were made up of retired soldiers who were unsympathetic
What alternative work were COs given by tribunals?
Supporting the war at home
Driving ambulances on the front line
Working in Britain on the farms
Over 6,000 refused to accept the decision of the tribunals. What happened to them and how were they treated?
Put in prison and faced solitary confinement, hard labour and a long sentence. 73 cos died as a fruit of their treatment be weren’t released until six months after the war ended.
In what year were COs allowed to vote again?
1926
Describe the representation of COs in the media?
Overwhelmingly negative and the derogatory name conchie became used for COs. In newspapers COs were branded as lazy men who shirked their duties. They were portrayed as the enemy and branded as traitors, or alternatively as cowards who were too afraid to fight
After conscription was re introduced in Britain in 1939, how many people registered as COs?
59,000 including women
What changed about tribunals in ww2?
They were not allowed to contain ex soldiers anymore
In ww2, 7,000 COs were allocated to the non combatant corps. What did they do?
Provided logistical support to the army like running clothes and food stores or operating transport
In ww2 a greater effort was made to provide alternative work. What type of work encompasses alternative work outside the army?
Mining, firefighting, farm work and the ambulance service
How many COs were sent to prison in ww2?
6,000 but only as a last resort
What was the public’s attitudes towards COs in ww2?
Slower to change their attitudes than the government. COs continued to be attacked in the newspapers and many sacked from their jobs. For example in 1940 when the threat of German invasion of Britain was at its highest, 40 COs were dismissed by over 70 local councils
