Conscientious Objectors

Question 1

Treatment conscientious objectors in WW1 (4 points)

Answer 1

Military officers on tribunals
Alternativists - were sent to work camps
Absolutists - were sent to prison, forced to fight on front line or would be executed
Public - wouldn’t give them jobs, would beat up, attack, give white feathers to show cowardice

Question 2

Change in treatment from WW1 to WW2 (3 points)

Answer 2

No longer military officers on tribunals
Government attitutes - had to change because of nature of war (imprisonment due to beliefs) and many more people objecting. Many less not given exemption sent to prison, let groups protest against war.
Public - still harsh, attacked people etc, groups such as Peace Pledge Union, many more COs