Conscientious objector

Definition

A person who objects to military service or participation in war because of deeply held religious, moral or political beliefs.

Used by Edexcel and OCR

Paper 1

A person who refuses military service or participation in war because of sincerely held religious, moral or political beliefs.
A conscientious objector refuses to participate in war because of sincerely held beliefs. Some objectors were motivated by religion, including Quaker beliefs against violence; others opposed war for moral or political reasons. Their objection was not necessarily a refusal to help others: many were willing to undertake medical or civilian work, but would not kill.
Revise: Case Studies: Conscientious Objectors and Derek Bentley
Revise: The Experience of War

1
Separate public attitudes towards conscientious objectors from their official treatment: greater official tolerance did not end public hostility.
2
Qualify claims about public support: most Americans supported the war effort, but conscientious objectors show that responses were not unanimous.
3
Do not describe all conscientious objectors as absolutists. Some accepted non-combatant service or civilian work.

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Paper 1

A person who refuses military service, or particular military duties, because of deeply held moral or religious beliefs.
Around 72,000 men registered as conscientious objectors, and about 52,000 received that status. Many were members of pacifist religious groups such as the Quakers or Mennonites. Some accepted non-combat military duties; others undertook unpaid work in civilian camps.
Revise: Mobilisation and the Economic Impact of War

Paper 1

A person who objects to military service because it conflicts with deeply held religious, moral or political beliefs.
A conscientious objector, often shortened to CO, opposed military service because it conflicted with deeply held beliefs. Conscience meant a personal conviction about what was right and wrong, not simply a preference to avoid army life.
Revise: Men’s responses