Australia's Entry into WW1
Before World War I, Europe had been relatively peaceful for over 40 years. The last major war had been fought in 1871, meaning that a whole generation of young men had grown up with no real experience of war. The same was true of Australia. Apart from a small number of soldiers who had fought for Britain in the Sudanese and Boer wars, Australians had not been engaged in war and had little understanding of what it meant.
Possibly because of this, there was a perception that war was glorious, exciting and heroic. Young people, especially boys, were brought up on military stories and were taught military drills in school. In these stories, the heroes were rarely wounded or killed; they won their battles effortlessly, and the drills taught them to obey orders and work together. Tin toy soldiers were the most popular toy for boys in at this time in Australia.
Possibly because of this, there was a perception that war was glorious, exciting and heroic. Young people, especially boys, were brought up on military stories and were taught military drills in school. In these stories, the heroes were rarely wounded or killed; they won their battles effortlessly, and the drills taught them to obey orders and work together. Tin toy soldiers were the most popular toy for boys in at this time in Australia.
Image 01 - Vintage Toy Soliders
The Great Adventure!
When World War I began, Australia had been a single, united country for only 13 years.
Although Australia was self-governing, it was still a dominion of the British Empire. As such, Australia was obliged to follow the instructions of Britain in many areas of government. Therefore, when Britain declared war on Germany, Australia was also at war, as were all other countries in the Empire.
In Australia, a wave of enthusiasm for the war effort swept the country. The men of Australia rushed to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). According to legend, many were concerned that the war might end before they got to Europe. The Australian government initially promised to supply 20 000 men to the British war effort by the end of 1914—in reality, the number of men enlisted by this time was around 50 000.
The reasons for enlistment were varied and complex. Some men were driven by a desire to show what this new young nation could contribute to a world conflict. Others went to war because of pure loyalty to Britain, ‘the mother country’. Many of the first wave of volunteers were former British soldiers and other British citizens who happened to be in Australia. Still others wanted to show support for Britain in case we should need Britain’s help at some stage in the future. Leader of the Opposition (later Prime Minister) Andrew Fisher pledged that Australia would ‘stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling’.
As well, there were young men who joined out of a spirit of adventure, an opportunity to leave home, to see the world, to meet French girls. Whole football and cricket teams joined, as did groups of workmates from businesses and factories in cities and country towns. Many women encouraged their husbands, boyfriends, brothers and even fathers to enlist. Many young women preferred to socialise with men in uniform.
The opportunity to earn a good income also acted as an incentive. The pay was 6 shillings (60 cents) per day, a figure calculated to match the average wage of Australian workers, minus the cost of rations. The promise of regular pay also motivated many unemployed men to volunteer. As the war progressed, hatred of the enemy also became a motivation for enlistment. Propaganda stories (often exaggerated) of German atrocities were used in recruiting campaigns.
Although Australia was self-governing, it was still a dominion of the British Empire. As such, Australia was obliged to follow the instructions of Britain in many areas of government. Therefore, when Britain declared war on Germany, Australia was also at war, as were all other countries in the Empire.
In Australia, a wave of enthusiasm for the war effort swept the country. The men of Australia rushed to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). According to legend, many were concerned that the war might end before they got to Europe. The Australian government initially promised to supply 20 000 men to the British war effort by the end of 1914—in reality, the number of men enlisted by this time was around 50 000.
The reasons for enlistment were varied and complex. Some men were driven by a desire to show what this new young nation could contribute to a world conflict. Others went to war because of pure loyalty to Britain, ‘the mother country’. Many of the first wave of volunteers were former British soldiers and other British citizens who happened to be in Australia. Still others wanted to show support for Britain in case we should need Britain’s help at some stage in the future. Leader of the Opposition (later Prime Minister) Andrew Fisher pledged that Australia would ‘stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling’.
As well, there were young men who joined out of a spirit of adventure, an opportunity to leave home, to see the world, to meet French girls. Whole football and cricket teams joined, as did groups of workmates from businesses and factories in cities and country towns. Many women encouraged their husbands, boyfriends, brothers and even fathers to enlist. Many young women preferred to socialise with men in uniform.
The opportunity to earn a good income also acted as an incentive. The pay was 6 shillings (60 cents) per day, a figure calculated to match the average wage of Australian workers, minus the cost of rations. The promise of regular pay also motivated many unemployed men to volunteer. As the war progressed, hatred of the enemy also became a motivation for enlistment. Propaganda stories (often exaggerated) of German atrocities were used in recruiting campaigns.
Activity 05: Document Analysis
In every city and town, recruiting rallies were held. Platforms would be set up with the Australian and British flags side by side as a backdrop to the speeches. High-profile sportsmen such as footballers, cricketers and athletes would be planted in the crowd. When the call went out for young men to step forward and sign up, it was frequently one of these sportsmen who led the charge.
Among those who offered to enlist were Aboriginal Australians. Only 400 Aborigines were accepted for service, and they were all deemed to be ‘of substantial European origin or descent’. When Australian soldiers returned from World War I, there were many benefits available to them to assist their readjustment to civilian life. Aboriginal soldiers, however, were denied access to these benefits.
Of course, not all motives for joining the war effort were noble. There were stories (perhaps just rumours) of soldiers changing their names before enlisting in order to get away from their wives or other commitments. Others enlisted to escape the boredom of jobs they hated, to leave school early, or to escape the strict rules and confines of their family homes.
Those who had fought in the Boer war had some understanding of the brutality of war, but for most, war seems to have meant adventure. Of all the thoughts that ran through the heads of those who enlisted, particularly in the first few months, the idea of death or even injury seems to have been very much in the background.
Homework Task 03: Reaction
Discenting Voices
Not all Australians were enthusiastic about the war. Some argued that it was not Australia’s war and that a force from this young country could make little difference to the outcome. Others were opposed to the war because they were pacifists—people who do not think violence is an answer. One group of pacifists were the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group for whom any engagement in war went against their beliefs.
There was also a small group of conscientious objectors and pacifists- people who oppose war and believe that they would betray their principles by enlisting or fighting, or by supporting war. Among this group was the Women’s Peace Army, led by suffragette (a woman demanding the right to vote) Vida Goldstein .
Some Australians did not enlist because they were afraid, or because they believed it was to their economic advantage to remain at home. Little has been recorded about these people. Often those who were reluctant to go to war used excuses such as poor health or family responsibilities to explain their decision not to enlist.
Taken together, however, all of these questioning groups seem to have made up only a small fraction of the total population. In 1914 and through most of 1915, the dominant feeling towards the war was positive and supportive. It was only as the harsh reality of war became known that some Australians began to question their initial enthusiasm.
Questions
1. What was the attitude of most Australians to war before 1914? Why did they hold this attitude?
2. Why were some people or groups not enthusiastic about the war?
3. What techniques were used by the government to encourage men to enlist?
4. Why did recruiters rely on a sporting image to encourage young Australian men to enlist?
Activity 06:
Watch the following presentation and complete the document study tasks on the sheets provided (link below). Also below ou will find a handout on persuasive techniques to give you some ideas about what to write about.
Among those who offered to enlist were Aboriginal Australians. Only 400 Aborigines were accepted for service, and they were all deemed to be ‘of substantial European origin or descent’. When Australian soldiers returned from World War I, there were many benefits available to them to assist their readjustment to civilian life. Aboriginal soldiers, however, were denied access to these benefits.
Of course, not all motives for joining the war effort were noble. There were stories (perhaps just rumours) of soldiers changing their names before enlisting in order to get away from their wives or other commitments. Others enlisted to escape the boredom of jobs they hated, to leave school early, or to escape the strict rules and confines of their family homes.
Those who had fought in the Boer war had some understanding of the brutality of war, but for most, war seems to have meant adventure. Of all the thoughts that ran through the heads of those who enlisted, particularly in the first few months, the idea of death or even injury seems to have been very much in the background.
Homework Task 03: Reaction
Discenting Voices
Not all Australians were enthusiastic about the war. Some argued that it was not Australia’s war and that a force from this young country could make little difference to the outcome. Others were opposed to the war because they were pacifists—people who do not think violence is an answer. One group of pacifists were the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group for whom any engagement in war went against their beliefs.
There was also a small group of conscientious objectors and pacifists- people who oppose war and believe that they would betray their principles by enlisting or fighting, or by supporting war. Among this group was the Women’s Peace Army, led by suffragette (a woman demanding the right to vote) Vida Goldstein .
Some Australians did not enlist because they were afraid, or because they believed it was to their economic advantage to remain at home. Little has been recorded about these people. Often those who were reluctant to go to war used excuses such as poor health or family responsibilities to explain their decision not to enlist.
Taken together, however, all of these questioning groups seem to have made up only a small fraction of the total population. In 1914 and through most of 1915, the dominant feeling towards the war was positive and supportive. It was only as the harsh reality of war became known that some Australians began to question their initial enthusiasm.
Questions
1. What was the attitude of most Australians to war before 1914? Why did they hold this attitude?
2. Why were some people or groups not enthusiastic about the war?
3. What techniques were used by the government to encourage men to enlist?
4. Why did recruiters rely on a sporting image to encourage young Australian men to enlist?
Activity 06:
Watch the following presentation and complete the document study tasks on the sheets provided (link below). Also below ou will find a handout on persuasive techniques to give you some ideas about what to write about.