People in the UK might be forced to join the army if World War 3 begins. In the past, during World War 1, women would shame men who didn’t want to fight by handing them white feathers.
This was called the White Feather Campaign. The feather symbolized cowardice, and it was meant to embarrass men who refused to wear a military uniform or go to war. These men were called “conscientious objectors” – people who didn’t want to fight, often because of their moral or religious beliefs.
Right now, many people are worried because global tensions are rising. Russia is still attacking Ukraine. The U.S. is having serious disputes with Iran, especially about the situation in Israel and Palestine and Iran’s threats to develop nuclear weapons.
All of this is making the possibility of another world war feel more real than it has in a long time. If that happens, the UK government might bring back conscription, which means people especially young men could be forced to join the military.
Recently, government ministers even said that the UK needs to be ready for war at home. That includes preparing for major emergencies like future pandemics, cyber attacks, power outages, and extreme weather.
We don’t know exactly what conscription would look like today, but during World War 2, people who refused to fight had to go to court and explain why. If their reasons were accepted, they were allowed to take non-combat roles, like working in hospitals or doing other jobs to support the war without using weapons.
Even today, European countries respect the rights of conscientious objectors. According to a UK government report released in March 2025, most European countries require men to serve in the military. Some let women volunteer, and most also offer a civilian alternative for those who refuse to fight. In some places, there’s a lottery system, so only a few men actually have to serve.
For instance, in Finland, men are legally required to serve, but conscientious objectors can take a non-military role. In Greece, military service lasts under 12 months, or 15 months if you choose civilian work instead because of your beliefs.
Still, even if someone is allowed to serve in a non-combat position, they might be judged by the public. If war breaks out again, there’s a chance that people will go back to old habits like handing out white feathers to shame those who don’t want to fight.
The Peace Museum and the University of St Andrews explained that women who handed out white feathers believed they were helping to achieve peace by encouraging men to join the military. They used the white feather, a symbol usually linked to peace, and gave it a new meaning one meant to pressure others into war service. Meanwhile, conscientious objectors stood for peace through nonviolence, believing war was never the answer.
Even though both sides believed in peace, they had very different ways of showing it.
