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1917 Federal Election in Canada
The 1917 election was about one thing only – conscription.
The traditional two-party election in Canada was abandoned, as
politicians crossed party lines to either support or oppose conscription.
The Liberals became the voice for French Canadians who did not
want any part of the war. The Conservatives, which became
the Unionists when pro-conscription Liberals joined them, became
the voice for English Canadians who were in favour of increasing
Canada’s war effort. Canada’s most violent and
bitter election would result in a majority for Borden’s
Union government, and the implementation of conscription in Canada.
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- Canada was in the midst of WWI, and Borden’s government
was anxious to ensure the country was doing its part
in the war effort. Borden would have to introduce drastic
measures to win another election.
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- Traditional party lines were crossed as the debate over conscription
caused some Liberals to join Borden in a Union government.
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- Once again, the French-English divide was represented in the two
leaders.
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- The sole issue of this campaign was conscription, a hugely
controversial subject that threatened to tear apart Canada.
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- Bitter racial rivalries characterized the most violent campaign
in Canadian history.
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- Borden’s Unionists win a majority government, which
leads to the implementation of conscription in Canada.
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- Policy platforms and the quest for national unity are abandoned
as parties clearly line themselves up along racial and linguistic
lines.
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- Learn more about the election, the politicians involved,
and Canada’s
involvement in World War I.
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