Recruitment & Conscription

Recruitment

• Women’s organisations tried to boost recruitment
• White feathers were given to men as a sign of their “cowardice” 

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• The Mother’s Union urged its members to get their sons to join up
• Initial recruitment used posters, leaflets, etc. to build an army quickly
  • What is the message of these posters?
  • How would these poster encourage men to join the army?
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Conscription

• Voluntary recruitment was decreasing, but the demand for troops was increasing
• Voluntary recruitment didn’t share the burden between all parts of society
• Conscription introduced in 1916
• All men aged 18-40 had to register
• They could be called up to fight at any time
• Conscientious objectors opposed the war for political or religious reasons
• They refused to fight, and were imprisoned – or executed – for doing so
• Others helped the war effort, but not through military action
  • Field hospitals
  • Stretched bearers