Introduction/Thesis Paragraph When the British landed and took New York, they could not have fulfilled General William Howe’s political objective of ending the rebellion in 1776. The primary reasons behind him being unable to bring this objective to fruition are because 1) he became reluctant to attack fortified enemy positions and 2) his belief that a decisive action would crush the will of the people was overblown. Reluctance of Attack At the conclusion of the Battle of Bunker Hill, although it was a victory for the British, General Howe sustained heavy casualties. These losses weighed heavily on General Howe and made his decision making much more conservative. For the rest of the war, Howe avoided a direct frontal attack on any American position, preferring to use flanking maneuvers instead.
A MacDonald faced major challenges such as problems between the English and French, ongoing annexation threats from America, as well as large economic issues while holding his position as Prime Minister. Since the beginning, the thought of cultural nationalism seemed impossible due to the French and English relations. Obtaining the physically enormous Rupert’s Land for Canada was essential, but Louis Riel and his French Canadian Métis group reacted violently when their home joined confederation. Although Macdonald peacefully purchased the land from Britain (unlike the American West, acquired through military means), Riel wrote up demands for his colony. When these were denied, the Métis captured the expansionists and murdered one uncooperative member: Thomas Scott.
Conscription is a method used by many nations to ensure that the troops are replenished as needed (Granastein, Jones). In Canada however, there was some debate on whether or not we should even be involved in this war so Conscription was not a first choice by any means. The problem was that Canada was considered an ally to Great Britain and since Great Britain was in the midst of the conflict (Guay), Canada was expected to jump in. Many in Canada however didn’t believe we should even be allies of Great Britain, especially in a war taking place on another continent. These people who were against involvement were mostly Francophone.
A glimpse of things to come in two world wars and Korea. Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Prime minister at that time, did not believe Canada should join the war. However he faced growing pressure from the English Canadians who wanted to prove their importance , and reliability to the British-Empire. On the other hand the French Canadians denounced this decision, they interpreted the war as one to pressure a minority Culture in the face of British Imperialism. Sir Wilfred Laurier decided to dispatch a volunteer force of 1000 soldiers to be commanded by their own Officers.
The lack of full government support greatly contributed to this. All in all, Canada’s involvement in the Second Boer War was a mistake that did not serve the best interests of the country. For Canada, confederation was a time to cut many ties with Britain and become their own independent country. However, the Boer War was a large set back in this area because of the way Britain tried to control Canada in their decisions, and Canada unfortunately let them. Laurier was opposed to imperial confederation and believed that the Canadian cabinet should decide Canada’s participation in the war.
President Wilson ran for reelection in 1916 and won, World War I was less about ideology and good vs. evil. The principal reasons America entered the war were submarines and propaganda, Helping move the United States to support the Allies was a massive British propaganda operation, the likes of which the world had never seen before, To enlist enough troops, Wilson forced through the Selective Service Act of 1917, organizing the first national draft in American history. War bonds were sold to raise money and women made bandages much as they had during the Civil War. But this time women were also asked to work in factories and take over other jobs that were traditionally done by men. America's European Allies had their own ideas about how the American soldiers could best be used in battle.
Soldiers at War were left helpless as pessimism increases. Newly appointed Prime Minister of Australia, William Morris Hughes, following his trip back from Britain, proposed a solution- conscription. However the Commonwealth Defence Act from 1903, gave the Australian government the power to enlist men for military service within Australia but not for overseas. This left Hughes a very problematic dilemma, whether or not to conscript men for military service overseas. This would need people to indicate their support for or opposition to a proposed change to the constitution, as Hughes did not gain enough support from parliament, so he directly appealed to the public.
The other party is called Absolutist; they are the ones who refuse to do anything that assists of the war. Conscientious Objectors are considered as cowards and selfish in the early 1900’s, all from various and valid reasons. They were willing to let other people die for them while they just stayed at home. They were not willing to faces reality and join the army in order to protect one’s country. They resisted to the system, knowing that the demand for troops and solders are increasing massively and that death and wounds needed replacing.
The mistake that Madison made was going to war with Great Britain. They were worried because they believed that Americas “peace, prosperity and happiness… are in Great jeopardy… the general government have determined to make war on Great Britain” (I). There are many reasons that he should have not gone to war with Britain such as there is not enough troops to fight a good battle, this will only hurt our economy and bring us more into debt, and since we are always fighting Britain about something was this a real reason for a war? The first reason Madison should not have gone to war with Great Britain is this. There are not enough troops in America to successfully produce a war.
Because they were occupied with the Napoleonic Wars they could only supply 5000 troops to Canada to help repel the American advances. The leadership of upper Canada were uncertain of the loyalty of the inhabitants, many acts of treason and mutiny occurring at the start if the war. Because of this Sir Issac Brock felt the need to go on the offensive to gain the trust of the people. Sir Issac Brock said “there can be no doubt that a large portion of the population of this neighbourhood are sincere in their professions to defend this country, but it appears like likewise evident to me that the greater part are either indifferent to what is passing, or so completely American as to rejoice in the prospects of a change in governments”[1]. This is his reasoning for why he needs to gain the trust of the people.