The 1917 Election: A Canada Divided

Summary

The 1917 Canadian election, dubbed the 'Khaki election,' was the most divisive in history, largely due to the conscription crisis. Prime Minister Robert Borden's promise against conscription was broken after he pledged more support to the Allies. The Unionist government, formed of a coalition including English Canadian Liberals, won a record 153 seats, exploiting new laws that favored them, such as the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections Act. The election led to a significant loss of Conservative support in Quebec and left lasting divisions in Canadian society.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The 1917 Canadian election was the most divisive in history, largely due to the conscription issue.
• 🏛️ The election was delayed by one year due to the First World War, with the hope of forming a coalition government.
• 🌐 Prime Minister Robert Borden initially opposed conscription but later committed to increasing Canada's military involvement.
• 🏴‍☠️ The conscription issue led to a rift between English and French Canada, with Quebec strongly opposing it.
• 🏙️ Riots and demonstrations occurred throughout Quebec as a result of the conscription crisis.
• 📜 The Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act were enacted to favor the conservatives in the election.
• 🏆 The Unionist government, which included English Canadian Liberals and Conservatives, won 153 seats, the largest number at that time.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Women's suffrage played a role in the election, with many female relatives of soldiers voting in favor of conscription.
• 📊 The conscription issue led to a significant loss of support for the Conservatives in Quebec, impacting their political standing for decades.
• 🌟 William Lyon Mackenzie King, who remained loyal to Laurier, would later become a prominent leader in Canadian politics.

Q & A

Why was the 1917 Canadian election particularly divisive?

The 1917 Canadian election was particularly divisive due to the conscription issue, which had deeply split the country between English Canada and French Canada.

Why was the election postponed by one year in 1916?

The election was postponed by one year in 1916 due to the emergency of the First World War, with Parliament agreeing to suspend the election for a year in the hope of creating a coalition government.

What was Prime Minister Robert Borden's initial stance on conscription?

Initially, Prime Minister Robert Borden had promised not to conscript Canadians into military service, but after going to Europe, he assured the Allied Forces that Canada would commit more to the war effort.

Why did Sir Wilfred Laurier reject the coalition government proposal?

Sir Wilfred Laurier rejected the coalition government proposal due to the conscription issue, which was strongly opposed in Quebec, and his concern that a coalition would cause Quebec to abandon the Liberals, potentially losing their historic support.

What was the impact of the conscription crisis on Quebec in 1917?

The conscription crisis in 1917 led to riots and demonstrations throughout Quebec and discussions about Quebec potentially leaving Confederation.

What was the Military Voters Act and how did it influence the election?

The Military Voters Act allowed soldiers in Europe to choose the riding their vote would be counted in or let the party choose the riding. This gave government officials the ability to guide the votes of soldiers, who were strongly in favor of conscription, to influence the election.

What was the Wartime Elections Act and its effect on the election?

The Wartime Elections Act removed the vote from anyone deemed to be enemy aliens, including those who arrived in Canada after 1902 from countries like Germany or Austria, and gave the vote to female relatives of soldiers overseas, who were more likely to vote for the conservatives and conscription.

How did the government use propaganda to influence the election?

The government used propaganda, such as the German Atrocities pamphlet published by the Union Government Publicity Bureau, to sway public opinion, particularly women voters, in favor of the union government and conscription.

What was the outcome of the 1917 election in terms of seats won?

The Unionist government won 153 seats, the largest amount in Canadian history at that point, while the Liberals dominated with 62 seats in Quebec.

How did the election impact Canadian unity and the political landscape?

The election deeply fractured Canadian unity, particularly between English and French Canada, and led to a near half-century of Conservative Party weakness in Quebec.

What was the long-term impact of the conscription issue on the Conservative Party in Quebec?

The conscription issue led to a significant decline in Conservative support in Quebec, with the party only winning three seats in the 1917 election and not regaining strength in the province until nearly half a century later.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ The 1917 Canadian Conscription Crisis

The 1917 Canadian federal election was deeply divided by the issue of conscription, leading to a significant political and social rift between English and French Canada. Prime Minister Robert Borden's promise against conscription was reversed after he pledged more support to the Allies. The formation of a coalition government was attempted but failed due to Sir Wilfred Laurier's opposition to conscription and concerns over Quebec's loyalty to the Liberal party. The conscription issue sparked riots and political maneuvering, with the Conservatives accusing Liberals of wanting to quit the war. The Military Service Act allowed conscription of men aged 20 to 45, intensifying talk of Quebec's secession. Two new laws, the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections Act, favored the Conservatives by allowing soldiers' votes to be strategically placed and disenfranchising 'enemy aliens,' while also granting votes to female relatives of soldiers. The government's propaganda campaign emphasized German atrocities to sway votes towards conscription.

05:01

🎖️ Khaki Election and Its Lasting Impact

The 1917 election, known as the Khaki election due to the military uniforms' color, was one of the most contentious in Canadian history. The Unionist government, a coalition of English Canadian Liberals and Conservatives, attacked the Laurier Liberals' patriotism and questioned their commitment to the war effort. The Halifax Explosion, which occurred just days before the election, did not deter the election's continuation. The Unionist government won a record 153 seats, largely due to the new laws and the soldiers' votes. Women, voting for the first time, largely supported the Unionist government, driven by the desire to see their family members return home. However, in Quebec, Conservative support collapsed, and the Liberals dominated, a trend that would last for decades. The election's aftermath saw conscription of 125,000 Canadians, but only a fraction reached the front lines. The divisions caused by the conscription crisis continue to affect Canadian unity today, and the election marked a significant moment in the country's political history, with figures like William Lyon Mackenzie King rising to prominence.

Keywords

💡Election of 1917

The 1917 Canadian federal election was a pivotal moment in Canadian history, marked by a significant delay due to the ongoing First World War. It was the longest gap between elections in Canadian history, with the election being postponed from 1916 to 1917. The election was deeply divided over the issue of conscription, which was a major point of contention between English and French Canada. The script mentions that this election was built on an issue that divided Canada, highlighting its importance in the historical narrative.

💡Conscription

Conscription refers to the compulsory enlistment of people into the armed forces. In the context of the 1917 election, it was a highly contentious issue that divided Canada. Prime Minister Robert Borden initially promised not to conscript Canadians but later committed to sending more troops to the war. This reversal was a major factor in the election, leading to significant political and social divisions. The script notes that the conscription issue was so divisive that it led to riots and demonstrations throughout Quebec.

💡Robert Borden

Robert Borden was the Prime Minister of Canada during the First World War and a key figure in the 1917 election. Initially opposed to conscription, he later changed his stance after visiting Europe and promising Allied leaders more support. His shift on conscription was a major factor in the election, leading to a split within his own party and the formation of a coalition government. Borden's stance on conscription and his efforts to maintain support for the war effort were central to the election's narrative.

💡Wilfred Laurier

Sir Wilfred Laurier was a prominent Canadian politician and the leader of the Liberal Party at the time of the 1917 election. He was strongly opposed to conscription, fearing it would alienate French Canadians and damage the party's support in Quebec. His opposition to conscription and the formation of a coalition government led to a split within the Liberal Party, with some members joining the Unionist government while others, including Laurier, remained loyal to the Liberal Party. Laurier's stance on conscription was a significant factor in the election and its aftermath.

💡Coalition Government

A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties join together to form a governing body. In the context of the 1917 election, the idea of a coalition government was proposed to unite all parties in response to the First World War. However, the proposal was rejected by Laurier due to the conscription issue, leading to a divided response among the parties. The formation of the Unionist government, which included English Canadian Liberal MPs, was a direct result of the failure to form a broad coalition, highlighting the deep divisions over conscription.

💡Unionist Government

The Unionist government was a coalition formed during the 1917 election, primarily consisting of English Canadian Liberal MPs who joined with the Conservatives. This government was formed in response to the conscription crisis and was a key player in the election. The Unionist government's stance on conscription and its efforts to maintain support for the war effort were central to the election's narrative. The script mentions that the Unionist government won a significant number of seats in the election, demonstrating the impact of their policies on the electorate.

💡Military Voters Act

The Military Voters Act was a law passed during the 1917 election that allowed soldiers in Europe to choose the riding where their vote would be counted or allow the party to choose the riding. This law was used by the government to influence the election in their favor, as soldiers were generally in favor of conscription. The script notes that this law allowed the government to use 400,000 votes to sway the election, demonstrating the strategic use of legislation to influence electoral outcomes.

💡Wartime Elections Act

The Wartime Elections Act was another law passed during the 1917 election that removed the right to vote from certain individuals deemed to be 'enemy aliens'. This law disproportionately affected immigrants from countries like Germany and Austria, who typically voted Liberal. The script mentions that this act resulted in a significant loss of votes for the Liberals, particularly in the Prairie Provinces, and was used to bolster support for the Unionist government.

💡Halifax Explosion

The Halifax Explosion was a catastrophic event that occurred on December 6, 1917, just days before the election. The explosion destroyed much of Halifax, killing 2,000 people and leaving the city in ruins. Despite the tragedy, the election proceeded as planned on December 17. The script mentions that Prime Minister Borden lost several friends in the disaster, highlighting the personal impact of the event on key political figures.

💡William Lyon Mackenzie King

William Lyon Mackenzie King was a prominent Canadian politician who remained loyal to Laurier during the 1917 election. His refusal to join the Unionist government and his loyalty to Laurier had a lasting impact on his political career. After Laurier's death in 1919, King became the leader of the Liberal Party and served as Prime Minister for a total of 21 years. The script mentions King's loyalty to Laurier and his eventual rise to power, demonstrating the long-term effects of the 1917 election on Canadian politics.

💡Canadian Unity

Canadian unity refers to the cohesion and harmony among the various regions and cultural groups within Canada. The 1917 election and the issue of conscription had a profound impact on Canadian unity, leading to divisions that persisted for generations. The script mentions that the conscription crisis resulted in Quebec openly discussing the possibility of leaving Confederation, highlighting the deep rifts that the election created within the country.

Highlights

The 1917 Canadian election was the most divisive in history, largely due to the conscription issue.

The election was delayed by one year due to World War I, with the hope of forming a coalition government.

Conscription was a major point of contention between English and French Canada.

Prime Minister Robert Borden initially opposed conscription but later committed Canada to a greater war effort.

Sir Wilfred Laurier opposed a coalition due to conscription and concerns over Quebec's loyalty to the Liberals.

The conscription crisis led to riots and demonstrations in Quebec.

Henry Barossa turned against the conservatives, arguing Quebec's loyalty was to Canada, not England.

The conservatives used propaganda to paint the Liberals as unpatriotic and supportive of French Canadian domination.

The Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act were introduced to favor the conservatives in the election.

The Military Voters Act allowed soldiers to influence the election in favor of conscription.

The Wartime Elections Act disenfranchised 'enemy aliens' and favored conservative-leaning voters.

The election was nicknamed the 'Khaki election' due to the influence of soldiers' uniforms.

The Unionist government won a record 153 seats, the most until 1935.

Women voters, many with family in the war, overwhelmingly supported the Unionist government.

Conservative support in Quebec collapsed, leading to a long-term decline in their influence there.

The election's outcome was seen as a victory for the Allies and a defeat for pacifism.

William Lyon Mackenzie King's loyalty to Laurier would later make him a significant political figure in Canada.

The conscription issue led to the conscription of 125,000 Canadians, impacting Canadian unity for generations.

Despite winning, Borden's victory came at the cost of fracturing the country along conscription lines.

Transcripts

[Music]

it could be said that no election was

built on an issue that divided Canada

more than the election of 1917

this election came six years after the

previous election the longest Gap in

Canadian history an election should have

happened in 1916 but due to the

emergency of the first world war

Parliament agreed to suspend an election

for one year

it was hoped by the board and government

that the delay would allow for the

creation of a coalition government

comprising all the parties in response

to the first World War

a major purpose for the formation of the

Coalition was the conscription issue

which had bitterly divided Canada

between English Canada and French Canada

earlier in the war prime minister Robert

Borden had promised that he would not

conscript Canadians into military

service but after going to Europe he

assured the other leaders of the Allied

Forces that Canada would commit more to

the struggle

Borden would say to the House of Commons

on May 18 1917 quote

I cannot too strongly emphasize my

belief that a great effort still lies

before the Allied Nations if we are

going to win this war end quote

the unionist government proposal was

rejected by Sir Wilfred Laurier because

of conscription which was strongly

opposed in Quebec Laurier also worried

that a coalition would cause Quebec to

abandon liberals losing historic support

of Quebec would have been devastating

for the Liberals at the time

throughout 1917 the conscription crisis

resulted in riots and demonstrations

throughout Quebec Henry Barossa the man

who helped bring down the Liberals in

Quebec in 1911 turned against the

conservatives stating that Quebec had no

obligation to England and only had to

stay loyal to Canada

the conservatives who had relied on

burro saw in the previous election

quickly turned on him they would state

in a written message that quote the

teachings of borosa the failure of

Laurier to Rally his race in the war

bearing fruit in a wave of race bigotry

and desire for French Canadian

domination and a solid English-speaking

Canada determined to maintain British

ideals and British traditions in Canada

will successfully cope with a situation

pregnant with Peril and quote

while the conservatives pushed a message

that the Liberals want to quit the war a

written Manifesto from Laurier actually

stated that the Liberals wanted to stop

profiteering from the war and instead of

conscription a strong appeal for

voluntary recruiting along with a

referendum

on August 29 1917 the government passed

the military service act allowing the

government to conscript men aged 20 to

45 across the country if Borden felt it

was necessary

the conscription issue was so bad that

for the first time Quebec began to talk

openly about leaving Confederation

one member of the Quebec legislature

would say after the election that Quebec

would quote be disposed to accept the

breaking of the Confederation pack of

1867 if in the other provinces It is

believed that she is an obstacle to the

union progress and development of Canada

end quote

the unionist government would still form

with English Canadian liberal MPS

joining while French Canadian MPS

including Laurier stayed with the

liberal party

two new laws had also come into place

that would give more support to the

conservatives in the coming election

the first law was under the military

voters act which allowed soldiers in

Europe to choose the riding they wanted

their vote to be counted in or they

could allow the party to choose the

writing this gave government officials

the ability to guide the votes of the

soldiers who were strongly in favor of

conscription to writings where it'd be

more useful servicemen would simply be

given a ballot that said government or

opposition

this allowed the government to use four

hundred thousand votes to influence the

election in their favor when the votes

were tallied eighty percent of the

soldiers on the front lines voted in

favor of the board and government

the other law was under the wartime

elections act this act removed the vote

from anyone including those who lived in

Canada for a decade or more who were

deemed to be enemy aliens anyone who had

arrived in Canada after 1902 lost the

vote if they came from a country such as

Germany or Austria

this group of people typically voted

liberal and it would result in a huge

loss of votes for liberals especially in

the Prairie Provinces

the ACT also gave the vote to female

relatives of soldiers overseas who are

more likely to vote for the

conservatives and conscription

the German atrocities pamphlet published

by the union government publicity Bureau

which state about why women should vote

for the government stating quote

why should the women of Canada vote for

the union government because they are

virtually interested in seeing the war

against Germany and all Germany

represents is carried on to The Bitter

End Germany's attitude to women is that

of uncivilized Savages German is a

brutal fiendish inhuman in Belgium

lustful and cruel they violated women

and girls murdered their husbands

tortured and mutilated children and

murdered babies end quote

one critic of the ACT stated they had

been more honest to just state that all

who do not pledge to vote conservative

would be disenfranchised

Margaret Gordon president of the

Canadian national suffrage association

said the government might as well have

just made it illegal not to vote

conservative

once these measures were passed the

liberal unionists joined with the

conservatives and Parliament was then

dissolved those who remain loyal to

Laurier became known as the Laurier

liberals

the elect should be called the Khaki

election as a result of the color of the

uniforms of soldiers it would also be

the ugliest election in Canadian history

unionist will go on the offensive

attacking the Liberals and questioning

their patriotism perennial unionists who

ran in Quebec under the conscription

Banner they were threatened and attacked

in some cases

then on December 6 11 days before the

election the Halifax Explosion destroyed

Halifax killing 2 000 people and leaving

the city in ruins in that explosion

Borden would lose several friends in the

disaster nonetheless the election would

go on and was held on December 17th

while the election was divisive over the

issue of conscription the new laws had

the proper effect that the conservatives

were hoping for the unionist government

would win 153 seats the largest amount

of seats in Canadian history to that

point and the most until the Liberals

won 173 seats in 1935 with some women

having the vote they voted

overwhelmingly in favor of the unionist

government a Mrs M Wilson voted with her

three female friends in Winnipeg and

stated after quote we have done all we

could to put the union government back

into power and quote

the reason for the high vote for the

unionists was since the women had family

fighting overseas they wanted

conscription to come in so new recruits

would be sent over and their family

members could come home

in Quebec conservative support

completely collapsed the party would

only win three seats it's worst showing

ever while the Liberals dominated with

62 seats in total the conscription

crisis would end support for the

conservatives in Quebec for nearly half

a century it would not be until deepen

Baker's massive election win in 1958

that the conservatives would finally

defeat the Liberals in the province

the New York Times would write the

election result quote

sir wilfred's defeat will be a victory

for the Allies a victory over pacifism

American or Canadian over the friends of

Germany over Germany end quote Sir

Robert Borden would address the election

with a statement stating quote the

people of Canada have fully realized and

fulfilled their Duty it was not a party

victory in any sense if party lines

would be taken into account it is a

trial as much for liberals as for

conservatives it was a noble test of

democracy the Canadian people after more

than three years of heroic devotion and

Untold sacrifice were called upon to say

whether Canada's efforts in the war

should be maintained end quote one man

who was quartered by the unionist was

William line Mackenzie King he was from

English Canada but he remained loyal to

Laurier his refusal to go against

Laurier would end up having a lasting

impact on his life when maurier died in

1919 king would take over as leader a

role he would stay in until 1948 during

which time he governed Canada for 21

total years and while king would lose

the 1917 election he would return two

years later in 1919 and remain in

Parliament until 1948.

following the election 125 000 Canadians

25 percent of who were eligible were

conscripted into service but only 24 000

would actually make it to the front

lines

the damage had been done though and

Canadian Unity would be impacted by this

election for generations to come Borden

had won the election but it came at a

great cost the country would be

fractured and even today those divisions

still exist haunting us over a century

later

[Music]