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The conchies were conscientious objects who refused to fight and take part in the military service act in WW1. The claimed the rights not to fight, on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience or religion.
If you were not physicall fit to fit in the war or your job was essential to the war, you wouldn't have to fight and you wouldn't be a conchie, although they were sometimes treated as them.
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What happened to the conchies after the war?
became junkies
What happened to the conchies after World War 1?
became junkies
Was there opposition in Britain to World War 1?
Yes there was. Many for religious reasons, there was much media suppression of this. There was also a lot of anti-German sentiment. But many of the 'Conchies' (Conciensious Objectors) were very brave indeed although they refused to fight. In many instances their treatment was appalling. Some were sentenced to death, although this was never implemented.
What was the difference between the Conscientious Objectors in World War 1 and World War 2?
Most objectors in the 1st world war were against fighting as they saw it as pointless slaughter, whilst objectors in WW2 were probably the same as well. In WW2 for example 'Conchies' were against the fighting, but that did not preclude them from war work. In fact many of these principled, brave men were involved in bomb disposal ! I had thought that bombs that didn't explode did not do so by accident: Not at all, they are designed not to do so to tie up resources of the enemy, indeed this still goes on to this day. I think there were more objectors in WW2, mainly because, I suppose, of greater media awareness. I don't know what differences there might be between these people, surely if you are a pacifist then that's all there is to it. Personally I am not a pacifist, but I do understand their point of view. I too wish war was avoidable, but....
What was the 1st world war about?
Is any war ? It all depends on your point of view. What would the consequences be, for example, had Britain & France not said to Hitler get out of Poland in 1939 ? In the age of Television & Computers we can now see a great deal of what we are allowed to see of what goes on on the Battlefield. It was very, very different then. People, rightly or wrongly, did what they saw as their patriotic duty, yes, there were some, quite a few, who did not see it like that, and we are more respectful of their views now than many were at that time. Personally I admire the Conciencious Objectors for their undoubted courage. But that did not mean that the 'Conchies' did not do their bit for their country. What they refused to do was fight. You might argue that no war is worth the effort. Just don't try to tell that to the people who have been subjected to tyrrany, because thay will tell you that you are wrong.
