Case Study: COs

Question 1

Conscription in WWI:

Answer 1

1. In 1916, the Military Service Act was passed including conscription
2. From March 1916, all unmarried men aged 18-41 had to join
3. By May 1916, married men
4. By 1918, upper age limit raised to 51 years

Question 2

What were tribunals? WWI

Answer 2

1. The MSA allowed a section
2. Includes a section called the conscience clause allowed an exemption
3. 16,000 men applied
4. Needed a tribunal to judge if their claims were true

Question 3

Why were tribunals sometimes unfair?

Answer 3

1. Held locally and the judging panel selected by the local authority, wide variation from area to area
2. Members of the panels were too old to be called up, but very clear views about other people’s duty to fight

Question 4

Treatment of COs:

Answer 4

1. Many absolutists were refused
2. Faced solitary confinement, weaken determination
3. Were punished by being sent to France
4. Small number sentenced to death, reduced the punishment to 10 years prison

Question 5

Changes in COs during WWI:

Answer 5

1. COs were offered alternative occupations such as farm work
2. Prison was generally used as a last resort as a deterrent
3. Those who actively campaigned against the war in court
4. Peace Pledge Union, anti-war posters, cases were dismissed by judges

Question 6

Changes in social attitudes:

Answer 6

1. People were asking to unite against Hitler as a tyrant and Nazism as a movement that persecuted minorities
2. Harsh punishments for COs would be seen as hypocritical
3. Public opinion could still be hostile