CO

1. National 5 History:
Era of the Great War
Conscientious objectors

2. Today’s lesson
We are consolidating our knowledge and understanding of
the role of Conscription and conscientious objectors
during World War One.
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) State what conscription was.
2) Describe the process involved in conscription.
3) Describe the treatment of conscientious objectors
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
Class discussion
National 5 Level Question

3. Think, Pair, Share
Recapping from yesterday…
THINK – What were the conscientious objectors?
PAIR – Share with your partner.
SHARE – Share with the rest of the class.
CHECK – Check your answer against the teacher definition.
Conscientious Objectors were those who were exempt to conscription
on grounds of conscious. Whether that being pacifist, political or
religious beliefs.

4. Task 1
Create a mind-map in your jotter like – only use a single page.
Why did people
become Conscientious
Objectors?
Political
Reasons
Religious
Reasons
We are going to go through information on the two
slides you must decide where the information goes.

5. Why did people become Conscientious
Objectors? – Political Reasons
The Military Service Act gave men the chance to refuse to fight as long as
they attended a military service tribunal. 1400 Scottish men applied for this
exemption.
Many men had different reasons for refusing to fight. Some people objected
to the war because of politics.
They believed that the war would help rich businessman and hurt poor
soldiers so they did not want to participate. They were known as ‘Socialists’.
John MacLean was one of those who did not want to participate, he also
spoke out against the war leading to a prison sentence under the Defence of
the Realm Act.
Scots protested against being forced to fight, including having rallies at
Glasgow Green.
Do you agree with these
reasons not to fight?

6. Why did people become Conscientious
Objectors?
Many objectors were members of the political Independent Labour
Party. Although they objected some of them did agree to work in
munitions factories instead of fighting.
Many men objected on the grounds of religion and morals. They
argued that it was wrong to fight and kill another human being so they
would not do so. Others refused to even help people that were
fighting.
Examples of men who refused to fight for moral/religious reasons
included Abel Freeman from Edinburgh and George Searson from
Glasgow. Do you agree with these reasons not
to fight?

7. National 5 History:
Era of the Great War
Treatment of Conscientious
Objectors

8. Task 2
Dotted around the room is details on the treatment of conscientious
objectors. You must create a mind-map and walk around the room
gathering as much information as possible in 15 minutes. W
When finished complete the following extension question(s)
1) Do you agree with the treatment of the Conscientious objectors?
2) National 5 Question
1) Describe the treatment of Conscientious objectors – 4 Marks.
2) Explain the reasons why some people became conscientious objectors – 6
Marks.

9. Plenary
On your post-it note answer the following question(s):
1) Knowing how they were treated, would you have ever considered
becoming a Conscientious objector? – Give a reason to support
your answer.
Stick your post-it note on the door.

10. Newspapers and the media.
Most Scots actively supported the war effort
and criticized the conscientious objectors.
The Church of Scotland supported the war.
The Newspapers and the Government’s
propaganda machine criticized anti-war views
calling these people cowards.

11. Tribunals and Prison
The Military Service Act allowed men to attend a tribunal to argue their
case not to fight. 1400 Scottish men applied for the exemption.
While waiting on the tribunal’s decision, the men were kept in prison.
During their time in prison they were subject to physical and emotional
abuse from their prison guards and other prisoners.
If they tribunal agreed with the soldier they were allowed to work in a
civilian job to help the war effort or sent to the front lines in a none
military routes such as helping the nurses on the trenches.

12. Treatment in the Western Front
• However many men had their request denied and forcibly sent to the
Western Front where many refused to take order
• These soldiers often faced punishments due to their refusal.
• They might be physically assaulted or given extra work and duties to
carry out. Some who continually refused were threatened with
military prison and death.

13. Work Camps
• Some conscientious objectors were sent to special prisons and work
camps.
• Conditions in these places were often very poor and the work could
be physically very intense with ten hours of hard labour each day.
• Living conditions in the camps were also very difficult . A limited diet
and poor quality tents/shelter often led to illness.
• 73 Men died as a result of their experiences in these camps.
• Some of these camps existed in Scotland with examples being Dyce
Camp in Aberdeenshire and Calton Jail in Edinburgh.

14. Treatment at home
Conscientious objectors were generally unpopular back home in
Scotland.
In their home communities many men were abused and spat on in the
street.
Some were even refused service in local pubs and shops.

15. Economic treatment
Many men continued to face problems with employment.
Some of them were sacked from their job and found it difficult to get
employed for another job due to the fact they were an objector.
Some were made to start in the lowest paid, ‘bottom’ of their
workplaces rather than getting more high-paid jobs.