The Attitudes of the Authorities Was the Most Important Reason Why Cos Were Treated Differently in Ww2 Than in Ww1- Do You Agree??

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WW1 was a total war, due to casualties and the amount of men needed, the government introduced conscription in 1916. COS refused to partake in war either on moral, religious or political grounds. During WW1, approx. 16,000 applied to object and all were seen as cowards by the public. People would hand out white feathers to illustrate their hostility towards them and Absolutists were sent to Dartmoor prison. Out of the 16,000 only about 400 received exemption certificates by the tribunals which itself consisted of clergymen, doctors and military tribunals; individuals who were neither sympathetic nor understanding. The fact that absolutists were sent to prison shows that as well as the public’s view of lacking patriotism, the authorities punished Cos. They were denied the right to vote and often struggled to find jobs. The public however was more tolerant of alternativists who worked as stretcher bearers or did non-combat work. In WW2, the government was keen to allocate freedom of speech and expression as the war they were fighting against was due to the upheaval in Germany where there was a struggle of freedom. This struggle for liberty everywhere influenced the authorities to respect views of Cos. The tribunals were formed as representatives from all social classes and excluded any military members. The traumatic experiences from the previous war meant that more people became pacifists and consequently a greater number applied for exemption (over 50,000) and this time all but 12,000 were given exemption. In addition, conscientious objectors had shown that they were not cowards by working dangerous jobs such as bomb disposal and ambulance drivers. They displayed bravery and commitment without actually working in the trenches and so the government was prepared to treat them better. Public attitudes towards absolutists were still hostile but alternativists were

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