World War I
Australia's Involvement
The cause of World War I
There is many reasons, known and unknown, that stirred the start of World War I. Some being small arguments between countries and others being small disagreemants. There are four main factors behind the start of the war being:
- Militarism: The policy of building up or creating a large military
- Alliances: An agreement between two or more countries to help each other out and defend each other
- Imperialism: A country attempts to extend it's power and influence over other countries. through diplomacy or military force
- Nationalism: Pride in one's country
The war first started between Serbia and Austria-Hungary having large disagreements but this is not what sparked the war. It was when Gavrilo Princip a Serbian group member shot Archduke Franz Ferdinard and his wife, that the war began. So essentially, two deaths caused hundreds of thousands.
Arrival at war grounds
German Militarism
Cartoon of Imperialsim
The Australian involvement in the war
At the time of World War I Australia's population consisted of only, a minute 5 million. Which is why Australia's sacrifice was a major one.
- Over 324,000 people were enlisted and served overseas, this equals to just under 6.5% of Australia's entire population
- 61,720 people died during this time
- 155,000 people were injured
- 4,044 people were held captive to war
The significant battles of World War I
- Gallipoli, Turkey
- Fromelles on the Somme, France
- Bullecourt, France
- Messines, Belgium
- Ypres, Belgium
- Hamel Spur, France
- Mont St Quentin, France
- Peronne, France
- Hindenberg Line, France
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme went from July to November in 1916 and the main aim for this war was to break the stalemate. The plan was to launch a major attack on the Germans which would result in cutting them off and discourage them. This failed s the Germans fought with heavy gun force. On the first day of this war over 20,000 soldiers were killed by the Germans. By the end of the war there was over 23,000 death of Australian troops, for a gain of only 1.5km.
Bullecourt
On April 1917 Australians were sent to the German lines near the town of Bullecourt. Over eighty percent of the attacking force was lost due to casualties and also over a thousand troupes were captured by the Germans. This attack was supposed to be lead by tanks but they broke down. The Australians broke through the few barriers set up by the Germans including barb wire and the Australian troupes captured the first two lines of German trenches.
However, a month later Bullecourt was captured by the second division of Australian troupes.
The impact of the Great War on Australians at home
While men were away from home fighting on the front line they all left their jobs back home. Employers had no other choice than to employ women to perform the previous men's jobs. Women completed these tasks just as well as men but were never paid the same amount. At this time the number of women in workforce rose from 24 percent to 37 percent since the start of the war to the end of 1918.
Whilst also having to work to support themselves many women also had to deal with the temporary loss of a family member with only a small amount of contact consisting of a few letters and photos, women also had to sometimes deal with the permanent loss of a loved one. This is a heartbreaking time for an each and every family affected.
The significance of ANZAC day to Australians
On the 25th of April the entirety of Australia have a minute silence to remember and thank all those who fought for our country. On this day every year many people choose to attend a 'dawn service' which is a highly respectful service which occurs before dawn, which is a reminder of the dawn landing in Gallipoli in 1915. During the day many areas also host a march where people can come watch past ANZAC's, war vehicles and many other people march through the streets. (Featured below). During each of these events people under go a minute of silence to commemorate our thanks to our countries 'heroes'.
A lot of families make this day a tradition whether it is attending both the dawn service or the dawn service and the march, which they attend every year.
A day that is also close to Australian's heart is Remembrance Day for all of the same reason, only this day commemorates the end of World War I.