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.