How Did Australia Lose Ww1

The Western Front was fought between 1914 and 1918 where the Australians contributed in many different battles. After the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. Australian forces contributed to 26 battles across Germany, Belgium and France, however often ending in stalemate. Australians contributed through the enhancement of warfare and tactics, conditions and cures and the commemoration of fallen soldiers. The Australians contribution the battle of the Western Front is second to none and is highly recognised in the current community.

World War One began in 1914 and it started with the assassination of the archduke of Austria-Hungary by a Serb. Austria-Hungary then declared war on Serbia, to which Serbia responded by turning to Russia for support. Eventually after many alliances there were two distinct sides, one on which was Britain. Britain, of course, being Australia's 'mother country' called on Australians for their support. There were drastic changes in Australian's attitudes over the period of WW1. Before the war, Australians were, in general, very supportive and enthusiastic about war. After WW1 began the reality of the severity of war dawned and although there was still support for the soldiers, their was a growing dissatisfaction with war especially as the death

Australia’s involvement in WW2 was significant because of their alliances with Great Britain and the USA. Australia was very close to Britain mainly because they founded Australia and Australia considered them their ‘mother country’. Young men also thought that war was a very brave and noble thing to do, it also gave them the opportunities to meet new people and protect those that they loved back at home. Threats from overseas were a huge reason

Prior to World War 1, Australians on the whole suffered due to their geographical isolation, which technology had yet to defeat. Transport was solely by arduous sea journey, which restricted travel and communication with the rest of the world. The mass transfer of Australian youth to fight in Europe enabled the world to see for the first time the unique culture which was developing in this far away land. Recognition and respect was quickly given for the courage, good humour and strength in adversity displayed by Australian soldiers. The easy going egalitarian troops challenged the military norms of their British counterparts. While this

World War One is regarded as a major turning point in history and modern warfare which has impacted Australia monumentally, scarring the nation’s history. Australia played a significant role in World War One and the Gallipoli campaign, which is considered the birthplace of the ANZAC legend. These events have immensely shaped Australia as the nation we know of today. World War One began in 1914 from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ended in 1918 on November the 11th which is now recognised as a day of mourning and a time given recognition to the lives taken on the battlefield. To a prominent extent, the ANZAC legend is significant to the concept of Australian identity and nationalism through the origins of the ANZAC legend, the key events that have helped form Australia as an independent nation, and in addition to how ANZAC day is commemorated today.

The Gallipoli campaign had a major effect on Australia’s identity and the way the rest of the world saw Australia as a country. The Gallipoli campaign was a trial to test their nationhood. The campaign shown many qualities of the Australian soldiers including bravery, strength, courage, endurance and mateship. All of these qualities reflect on the nation that the troops came from. The involvement of Gallipoli was a major event that has shaped our country’s reputation and the sacrifices made by so many Australians shows the fortitude that many men had to fight for their nation.

The enthusiasm of many Australians led to the numerous volunteers participating in world war one in the defence of their British mother country against the Germans during world war one in Gallipoli, which lasted from 1914 to 1918.

In order to understand why the Anzac legend became so prominent, an understanding of Australia’s reasons for entering the First World War must be understood. Firstly, it was the first major war Australia would participate in as a state in its own right, less than two decades after Australian became a federation in 1901. According to Stanley,

The Anzac legend is still relevant in today’s society as it reminds Australians and New Zealands of the sacrifice they made to protect our country and let us live in freedom. The legend defines our national identity and helps shape our national reputation so that other countries can look at us as and think of us as a country who are determined, brave, resilient and helps our mates when they are in trouble. Almost a whole generation of young men was lost and they deserved to be remembered. The soldiers continued to fight during challenging times and when they felt as though it was too hard and should give up. They slept in wet and dirty clothes and barely had enough food to survive. Australia wouldn’t be Australia without the legend of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for us.

The Western Front, while the main focus of combat in WW1, many Australians ignore this part of the war, as they focus more on the Gallipoli campaign and its legend. However with the centenary of the First World War here, many people have begun to realise that Australia was involved in other theatres of the war, and not just Gallipoli. The focus of this essay will be on the Events leading up to Australia’s involvement, the weapons of the western front, life in the trenches, trench warfare, The Battle of Fromelles and the End of the war.

In August 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, an immense wave of support flooded Britain from her ally, Australia. All Australian political parties, community leaders, newspapers and churches were on-board with this major movement to help the mother country. All believed it was a morally right and necessary commitment . World War I, 1914 – 1918 had a significant and long lasting impact on the Australian home front. ‘The civilian population ’ had to undergo many changes to cater for the war. At this time women’s push for a larger role in the war effort caused a significant and long lasting impact on the Australian home front, which has helped shape workplace gender equality today. Conscription also impacted the Australian home front, meaning, compulsory enlistment of people in military service. As well as the massive impact on Australia’s economy from the many trading cancellations through abandoned or cut off allies, which has helped build Australia’s economy to what it is today.

The Australian public and government showed great enthusiasm during the announcement of war in 1914. The initial response Australia had to the announcement of the war was great enthusiasm, the close ties Australia had with Britain did contribute to this enthusiasm because some saw this as a way to prove their loyalty to the ‘mother country’, Britain. This is evident in primary source 1 where it can be seen that the government sent a letter to Britain to say that they can send men, of any size and any time, to any destination needed to protect Britain during the war. This piece of propaganda is calling for 20,000 men indicating that Australia wanted to get really involved in the war to, again, prove themselves to the mother country. Therefore showing the great enthusiasm and commitment to the mother country and their willingness to serve the mother country.

The meaning of the Anzac legend has changed overtime as it has been disputed and altered with the way people interpret the different events of World War One. This has become specifically apparent in recent years due to the 100 year anniversary of the Gallipoli landing with many debating whether Gallipoli was the most significant event in world war one. During world war one there were many battels on the western front that are if not more significant than the Gallipoli campaign, such as the battle of Hemel’s that in addition to Gallipolis bravery and sacrifice there was superb Australian military planning, perfect execution and great successes. 2 The landing at Gallipoli is by far the most celebrated aspect of Australia’s campaign in the First World War with many Australians even tying their national identity to the campaign though in comparison to numerous battels on the western front it was a minor failed campaign.

World War I (1914-1918) was considered the 'Great War' and Australia’s Gallipoli campaign has always been considered as the pinnacle of the Australian military feats. This is due to the constant glorification of the event despite the fact it was an unmitigated failure. However, the work of the Australian army force in the most important battleground of WW1 the 'Western Front' is often cast under the shadow of Gallipoli. The battles on the Western Front took place in France, Belgium and parts of Germany and this is where some of the most pivotal battles were fought. The contribution and success of the Australians will be assessed through the analysis of several sources related to four major contributions related to the Western Front. These include the amount of Australians involved, the external opinions of Australia in the Western front, The Battle of

Australia had always acknowledge Britain as the “mother country”. When Britain declared war on Germany for invading Poland, Australia was announced to be at war by the former Prime Minister, Gordon Menzies. “Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of the persistence of Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war.”