Final answer:
Quebec's views on the Conscription Crises during World War I were generally negative, with widespread resistance stemming from cultural differences, resentment over the treatment of French Canadians, and a lack of enthusiasm for the war effort. Conscription led to protests and riots, deeply dividing Canadian society and foreshadowing future issues of national identity in Quebec.
Step-by-step explanation:
During World War I, Quebec's views on the Conscription Crises were fraught with tension and resistance. The primarily French-speaking province was less supportive of the war effort, particularly due to the lack of volunteers for service. This reluctance was attributed to several factors, including the fact that many Quebecers were farmers, the absence of a strong connection to Britain or France, and past grievances related to the treatment of French-Canadians as second-class citizens in Canada.
The mention of conscription in 1917 led to widespread protests and even riots in Quebec, evidencing the deep divide in Canada—between those who supported the war effort and those who did not wish to be compelled into the military. The bitterness of the situation escalated during the 1917 election, in which a coalition government favoring conscription was formed, leading to further civil unrest and dissatisfaction in Quebec. The crisis reflected the broader issues of national identity and the socio-political cleavages within Canadian society.
Indeed, the Conscription Crises underscored Quebec's complex relationship with the rest of Canada, a struggle that would persist throughout the 20th century with the debate around Quebec's sovereignty and place within the Canadian Federation.