Conscientious Objectors

• Why wouldn't conscientious objectors fight in WW1?


  • Religious reasons - against their religion to kill
  • They believed men were sent to fight and die for benefit of bosses
  • They objected to being forced to sign up (conscription)
  • Labour Party opposed conscription. 70% of objectors were members of the Labour Party.
• • Conscientious Objectors were subject to a military tribunal who heard their objections and determined if they were satisfactory enough to prevent them from fighting.
• • Most Conscientious Objectors were 'alternativists' who refused to fight but were prepared to help the war effort by doing non-combatant jobs such as carrying stretchers and driving ambulances.
• • Around 1,500 conscientious objectors were 'absolutists' who refused to do anything that would help the war effort. They argued that performing non-combatant roles would be releasing other soldiers in to combat roles, therefore they would be fighting 'by proxy'.
  • Absolutists faced harsh consequences and most were imprisoned or forced to do hard labour.
• • Conscientious Objectors were treated harshly for their objection to war. They were made to feel guilty for not supporting their country and propaganda attempted to make them feel ashamed.
  • Over 6,000 men were imprisoned or forced to do hard labour in Britain for refusing to join the war effort.
• • John MacCallum, who captained Scotland's rugby team 5 times, also became a conscientious objector.
  • Under the work of National Importance scheme he was forced to work in a reduction plant in West Lothian which manufactured fertiliser from animal remains.