Conscientious Objectors in the World Wars Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What is a conscientious objector?

Someone who refuses to fight in a war because of their religious or moral beliefs.

What did a conscientious objector in the First World War have to do after conscription began in 1916?

Appear before a local tribunal, which included a military representative, to explain his beliefs; tribunals were often hostile and unsympathetic.

What happened to 'absolutist' conscientious objectors in the First World War?

They were imprisoned, often with hard labour, for refusing to help the war effort in any way, and were used as examples to deter others.

True or false? Conscientious objectors were treated more tolerantly in the Second World War than in the First.

True. Tribunals were fairer and most were given civilian or non-combatant work, though many still faced abuse and lost their jobs.

Roughly how many conscientious objectors were there in the First and Second World Wars?

About 16,000 in the First World War and about 59,000 in the Second.

What was the Order of the White Feather in the First World War?

A campaign that encouraged women to give white feathers, a symbol of cowardice, to men of fighting age who were not in uniform.

Who were 'alternativists' in the First World War?

Conscientious objectors who refused to fight but agreed to do other war work that did not involve combat.