What is conscription?
Conscription refers to a compulsory enlistment and contribution to a service.
Conscription in WWI
When the outbreak of the First World War began, the number of volunteers wishing enlist were so high, they had to turn men away. As the war progressed the number of men wanting to enlist dramatically declined. Conscription was used when a military needed more people to fight in the war, but there was not enough volunteers. Resulting in the enforcement of conscription, by law stating that if you are able to fight in war, you must. Men who were conscripted into the armed forces had no choice but to go and fight, even if they did not want to.
Conscription refers to a compulsory enlistment and contribution to a service.
Conscription in WWI
When the outbreak of the First World War began, the number of volunteers wishing enlist were so high, they had to turn men away. As the war progressed the number of men wanting to enlist dramatically declined. Conscription was used when a military needed more people to fight in the war, but there was not enough volunteers. Resulting in the enforcement of conscription, by law stating that if you are able to fight in war, you must. Men who were conscripted into the armed forces had no choice but to go and fight, even if they did not want to.
Britain
During the first two years of the war men volunteered to join the war. As a result of mass losses and the harsh reality of the war, led to declining rates of volunteers. With no alternate way of increasing numbers, the government introduced conscription in 1916. The enforcement of conscription created hardship for British people.
Around 16,000 men refused to follow the laws of conscription. Most believed that to kill another human, even during wartime was wrong, but most agreed to take on non-combat service. Other men who refused all compulsory service, also known as absolutists and were put into military units and if they refused to obey officer orders, they were court martialled potentially face transfer to France. Men who were transferred could be put under the death penalty and others were sent to Field Punishment Number one. Those who were guilty before their were transferred were sent to English prisons, enduring harsh conditions.
Military Service Act of 1916
The act was passed January 1916, stating that any single men aged 18 to 41 must join the war. Unless they were widowed with children, ministers of religion, physically not able to fight, teachers or a certain class of industrial worker. A second act was passed on May 25, 1916, stating that married men also were to be conscripted and some changes were also made to the law increasing the age limit to 51.
Effects of Conscription
The enforcement of conscription was not popular. This was demonstrated when 200,000 in Trafalgar Square, London on April 1916. Protested that they were against conscription. Throughout the entire war, conscription had recruited around 2.5 million men.
Conscription numbers:
Around 16,000 men refused to follow the laws of conscription. Most believed that to kill another human, even during wartime was wrong, but most agreed to take on non-combat service. Other men who refused all compulsory service, also known as absolutists and were put into military units and if they refused to obey officer orders, they were court martialled potentially face transfer to France. Men who were transferred could be put under the death penalty and others were sent to Field Punishment Number one. Those who were guilty before their were transferred were sent to English prisons, enduring harsh conditions.
Military Service Act of 1916
The act was passed January 1916, stating that any single men aged 18 to 41 must join the war. Unless they were widowed with children, ministers of religion, physically not able to fight, teachers or a certain class of industrial worker. A second act was passed on May 25, 1916, stating that married men also were to be conscripted and some changes were also made to the law increasing the age limit to 51.
Effects of Conscription
The enforcement of conscription was not popular. This was demonstrated when 200,000 in Trafalgar Square, London on April 1916. Protested that they were against conscription. Throughout the entire war, conscription had recruited around 2.5 million men.
Conscription numbers:
- 2,277,623 – The total number of men conscripted into the British Armed Forces during the First World War.
- 46% – The percentage of all British Army recruits that conscription accounted for over the entire war. 54% were volunteers.
- 135,277 – The record number of men conscripted in a single month (June 1916).
- 18-41 – The ages between which all men were eligible to be conscripted as part of January 1916’s Military Service Bill.
The sourced above shows conscripted soldiers being taken to the Western front by military buses.
http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWconscription.htm
This source to the right is from a government report, showing the means that were taken as apart of the First Services Act of 1916.
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/britain1906to1918
http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWconscription.htm
This source to the right is from a government report, showing the means that were taken as apart of the First Services Act of 1916.
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/britain1906to1918
Germany
Conscription in Germany was accepted, although it was not overly necessary at the beginning of the war as the German army already had great numbers. But it easy for the German army to easily expand its forces when needed.
During the start of war, german soldiers did not need to be recruited as conscription was already put in place and was accepted into daily life, but not all conscripted men were on the war fronts. As the war continued longer than expected, and heavy losses occurred on war fronts, the number of men on the fronts declined. This meant conscription had to be enforced to regain numbers. Whilst in many countries orders were put out for recruitment, Germany already had conscription in place.
During the start of war, german soldiers did not need to be recruited as conscription was already put in place and was accepted into daily life, but not all conscripted men were on the war fronts. As the war continued longer than expected, and heavy losses occurred on war fronts, the number of men on the fronts declined. This meant conscription had to be enforced to regain numbers. Whilst in many countries orders were put out for recruitment, Germany already had conscription in place.
This image shows the lines of conscripted men marching through the streets, alongside women as they marched on to fight the war.