World War 1
Isabella Agosta
The causes of world war 1
The main four causes of World war 1 was M.A.I.N = militarism (the building up of a large military), alliance (an agreement between two or more countries to help/defend each other), imperialism (a country attempts to extend its power and influence over other countries) and nationalism (Pride in one's country). This created a lot of tension between Europe for many years. On the 28th of June in Sarajevo Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was shot dead by Gavrilo Princip which is believed to have also sparked the first world war. This event triggered a number of event to unfold, Austria first declared war over Serbia who was allies with Russia. By August 1914 Europe was divided in two the central powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Serbia and Italy and the allies which was made up of Russia, France and Britain.
The Australian involvement in the war
When one person decides to go to war it doesn't just have an impact on the individually it takes a toll on there whole family. It's a massive thing to come to terms with that your loved one is putting their life on the line to fight for our country, that the time you send them off and say goodbye could possibly be the last time you ever see them ever get to hug and kiss them. This is what happened in 1914 when Australia sent off there first lot of troops to Carico in Egypt. They trained there for 4 and a half months before travelling to Afghanistan to fight the war. The whole country was very excited to be apart of the war and received a lot of support not knowing how serious and dangerous this really was. On the 25th of April 1914 the members of the Australian Imperial Force (troops from France, New Zealand and Britain) landed in Gallipoli. By the end of the war for Australians (and many other nations) it was the most costly conflict in terms of death, 416,809 men were enlisted 60,000 of those men were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed or put in prison. On the return home from war many families were distraught to find out that there loved ones were coming home, many Australian families didn't get the closure they needed as many bodies were not found to return home.
The significant battles of World War 1
There were many battles fought during the first world war, just on the western front alone more than 100 battles took place there throughout the long period of the war. One of them being the battle of Somme. The battle of Somme is responsible for the lives of 58,000 British troops who lost their lives within the first day. The attack ran along a 30 kilometer front from the north of Somme river. it began on the 1st of July until the 18th of November which then it was called off. The attack was planned by the British and the French leaders in the late 1915. Another significant battle fought during the war was the battle in Gallipoli it began in April and ran all the way till December. This was an unsuccessful attempt by the allies to control the sea between Europe and Russia. The battle began with an attack by British and France which failed and continued with a major land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsular on April 25th. This battle was not well thought out by the allies so many troops were killed and evacuations began in December and ended the following January of 1916.
The impact of the great war on Australians back home
World war one had a great effect on Australia's economy. The earlier impacts of the war was the governments recalling of existing trade with Austria-Hungary and Germany. The war also lead to massive political changes for Australia, in 1914 the liberals were in power but were defeated by the labor government with an election held just before the beginning of the first world war. The labor party were split in half during the war with different opinions being put out there about the men that chose not to fight for our country. Because the men were fighting in Gallipoli there jobs weren't getting done back at home in Australia so that's when the women became more and more liable to fill those roles. Women's contribution rose 24 per cent during the time of 1914 and then to 37 per cent in 1918. Many women became involved in war related activities such as cooks, motor car drivers etc but the government did not approve of this. Organisations were put together by women during the war such as The Australian red cross, the women's peace army, the Australians women service crops and many many more. Women also participated in encouraging men to go off to war and were used in recruiting them.
The significance of ANZAC Day for Australians
Anzac day is celebrated of the 25th of April it is a very important event for all Australians. it marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australia and New zealand during the first world war. This day was officially named in 1916 it was marked by a variety of services around Australia. in 1920 Anzac day became a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who died fighting for our country in world war 1. This year (2014) marked the 100 years since the first fleet like every year dawn services are held around the country and even around the world. There are many ceremony's through out the day celebrated at the shrine of remembrance (in Melbourne) every year. In Gallipoli dawn services are help every year on the 25th of April to remember the fallen solders. Many people across the world travel to different cities to be apart of such an important event.