The End of the War
The stalemate on the Western Front dragged on through 1916, 1917 and into 1918, with little change. By early 1918, troops on both sides were exhausted, resources were depleted and morale was at rock bottom. For the surviving original Anzacs who had enlisted with such enthusiasm in 1914, there was a feeling that the war would never end.
Australian troops had distinguished themselves at Pozières, Ypres, Passchendaele and Villers-Bretonneux. In mid 1918, they helped to drive the Germans back from south of the Somme. Some Australian officers, particularly General John Monash, distinguished themselves on the Western Front, with Monash responsible for developing tactics for coordinated infantry, artillery, tank and aircraft attacks.
On 11 November 1918, the Armistice (ceasefire) was signed and ‘the war to end all wars’ was over.
The Consequences of War
Approximately 65 million people from 30 nations were directly involved in World War I. Of those involved, 9 million soldiers were killed or mortally wounded, 22 million were wounded and 5 million went missing in action and were never recovered. Civilians were also at grave risk.
During the war, around 9 million people who were not directly involved in the fighting died from starvation, epidemics or military actions. For Australia, which was still a young nation, the total losses were enormous. About 60 000 or 18.5 per cent of Australians who served overseas never made it home.
Australia, which had entered the war with such enthusiasm and confidence in 1914, was a more serious, sober and divided nation when the war was over. There had been much sorrow and division but there had also been reason for great pride. As the years progressed, many were to look back on World War I as one of the defining influences on the nation’s development.
Quick Questions 14:
Australian troops had distinguished themselves at Pozières, Ypres, Passchendaele and Villers-Bretonneux. In mid 1918, they helped to drive the Germans back from south of the Somme. Some Australian officers, particularly General John Monash, distinguished themselves on the Western Front, with Monash responsible for developing tactics for coordinated infantry, artillery, tank and aircraft attacks.
On 11 November 1918, the Armistice (ceasefire) was signed and ‘the war to end all wars’ was over.
The Consequences of War
Approximately 65 million people from 30 nations were directly involved in World War I. Of those involved, 9 million soldiers were killed or mortally wounded, 22 million were wounded and 5 million went missing in action and were never recovered. Civilians were also at grave risk.
During the war, around 9 million people who were not directly involved in the fighting died from starvation, epidemics or military actions. For Australia, which was still a young nation, the total losses were enormous. About 60 000 or 18.5 per cent of Australians who served overseas never made it home.
Australia, which had entered the war with such enthusiasm and confidence in 1914, was a more serious, sober and divided nation when the war was over. There had been much sorrow and division but there had also been reason for great pride. As the years progressed, many were to look back on World War I as one of the defining influences on the nation’s development.
Quick Questions 14:
- Identify three ways in which World War I changed Australia.
- Do you think that wars are more likely to have a unifying or a divisive impact on a country? Explain your view.
- Do you think the war might have affected Australia differently if conscription had been introduced? Write a report to outline the possible effects of conscription on the war effort and the home front.
And Then What Happened?
Despite WWI being called 'The War To End All Wars', Australia has since engaged in 1 World War, 5 'conflicts' in support of the USA, 1 Cold War and 1 War on Terror.
But hey, who is counting.
But let's save all of that until Year 10.
But hey, who is counting.
But let's save all of that until Year 10.