The Defining Canadian Moment or Event of the 20th Century : Conscription in Canada

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        Amanda Brown

        Mr. Vansevenant

        CHC-2D1

        Monday, June 11, 2001

The Defining Canadian Moment or Event of the 20th Century :

Conscription in Canada

        Canada was founded as a nation of two cultures, both very distinct, with two very

different points of view. For French-speaking Canadians, it is an ongoing battle to

conserve their separate culture. Even today, many French Canadians feel that they have

never received the cultural, political, and economical equality that the English speaking

Canadians have. In the 20th century, the relationship between the French and the English

speaking Canadians has degenerated because of the fact that the French Canadians feel

that they have been treated as second class citizens. The “Conscription Crises” of 1917

and 1939-1945 have drastically added to this sensitivity, and have caused even more

havoc in an already fragile country. The people of Quebec also felt as if they were being

compressed and crammed into their province due to the insensitivity of the English

Canadians. So, the question was asked “How could French Canadians- the only real

Canadians- feel loyal to the people who had conquered them and maybe worst of all

humiliated them, and were Protestant, anyway?” The relationships between the French

and the English Canadians had already been deteriorating , and continued to suffer before

World War l. The biggest strain of all occurred when Canada’s participation in World

Wars 1 and 2 were mentioned. Most of this strain originated from Quebec. Conscription

would be the final blow to the national unity of the country and would serve as a

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suggestion as to the events which would take place in the years to come. Furthermore, not

only once, but twice in the 20th century conscription destroyed Canada’s national unity.

Twice in Canada’s history conscription proved to be an ill fated plague that ate against

all of the compromises that both the French and the English Canadians struggled for

years to come to terms with. Canada and the Conscription crisis is the defining event of

the 20th century on account of the Conscription of 1917 and the Conscription of 1939 ...

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