Unit 4 AOS 1

Quote bank

 “The creation of a new nation had embodied in Australia a sense of confidence in its future.”
(Mirams et al.)
 “For the majority of Australians, the dual identity, both British and Australian was accepted
and embraced with pride.” (Mirams et al.)
 60000 Australians killed in WWI more than 160000 wounded casualty rate of 65%.
 “When the AIF first sailed, it left Australia a nation that did not yet know itself…and then
during four years in which nearly the whole world was tested [Australians] saw their own
men… flash across the world’s consciousness like a shooting star.”
 WWI resulted in: “the end of innocence, a growth of maturity, impact of conflict, anguish
and anxiety.” (McKernan.)
 “Remote from the theatres of war, Australia was not remote from its effects.” (McKernan.)
 “Those who come back from this war will be the right sort anybody can be proud of.” (L. Cpl.
F.J. Gibbons.)
 “It is every young fellow’s duty.” (Pte. A.J. McSparrow)
 “The banners of England unfurled across the sea…how could I stay?” (Corporal J.D. Burns.)
 “Australians will stand by their own to help and defend her to our last man and last shilling.”
(Andrew Fisher 1914.)
 “Britain is at war, Australia is at war.” (Senator Gardiner ALP, 1914.)
 “If 50,000 men were required to finish the war in 12 months, it would be Labour policy to
send 100,000.” (Senator Gardiner ALP, 1914.)
 The fact that Australians were “remote, physically and emotionally from the reality…fed
their exaggerated embrace of the war.” (McKernan.)
 “Australians did not necessarily enlist for the same reasons as Australia did.” (White.)
 “advocate the adoption…the principle of…universal compulsory service at home or abroad”
and that ““Australia has done much…but…nothing is enough, short of her utmost.” (The
Universal Service League’s Manifesto.)
 “Anti-Germanism further demonstrates the need many Australians felt to make the war
more real and immediate in their own lives.” (McKernan.)
 “I remember knitting my fingers raw for the war effort.” (R. Sawyer.)
 Moral reform, such as the earlier closing times of hotels (6.00 pm) (WCTU) to save “her little
kingdom-sometimes the little kingdom like Belgium.” (Mrs Harrison Lee Cowrie, 1916.)
 Those who did not enlist were given white feathers, accused of cowardice, effectively killing
their soldiers, and being “a loon and a dastard.”
 “What motive sustained them? It lay in the mettle of the men themselves. To be the sort of
man who would give way when his mates were trusting to his firmness.” (C.E.W.Bean.)
 “to have leapt into nationhood, brotherhood and sacrifice at one bound…what a year –
never can Australia see it’s like again.” (Captain F.B. Stanton, December 1915.)
 “The heroic qualities displayed by the Anzacs at Gallipoli came for many to represent what
was best in the Australian character.” (Mirams.)
 Gallipoli had “blooded the troops and had proved that Australians could rise to the demands
of supreme sacrifice.” (Farrell.)
 The Anzacs were “The finest body of young men ever brought together in modern times.”
(John Masefield, London 1916.)
 “This race of athletes” “the Australians rose to the occasion” “no finer feat in this war…”
“these raw colonial troops in these desperate hours proved worthy to fight side by side
with…heroes.” (The Sydney Morning Herald, 8th of May 1915.)
 The major success of the WCTU was “the increasing division between the sexes as a result of
the war.” (McKernan. )
 Others, such as Arch-Bishop Mannix were despised for their Anti-Conscription stance.
“Conscription is a hateful thing, and almost certain to bring evil in its train.” (Mannix
September 1916.)
 WWI was a: “sordid trade war.”
 “The concept of equality and sacrifice can help to explain differing levels of enthusiasm.”
(McKernan.)
 the “Blood Vote” “I smugly sentenced the man to death, in that dreadful little room.”
 War Precautions Act (see list of illegalities.):
-failing to register as an alien.
-Exhibiting disloyalty or hostility to the British Empire.
-Publishing and printing matter which had not been previously submitted to the
censor.
 “Governments dedicated to ‘winning the war’ were demanding more and more of the
workers. The workers on the other hand were more and more determined to oppose the
government and all employers.” (Farrell)
 “The fading of imperial certainties created doubt and division.” (Macintyre)
 “Britain’s overseas dominions provided an overseas granary that sustained its effort.”
(Macintyre)
 “[The Anzacs] exploits at the Gallipoli Peninsula quickly gave rise to an enduring legend of
martial valour.” (Macintyre)
 “Women’s… war effort was channelled into voluntary activities and their greatest service
was to provide and sustain fighting men.” (Macintyre.)
 In wartime Australia, some Government initiatives had “disproportionately damaging effects
on the working people of Australia.” (Scates and Frances.)
 “The war saw unprecedented involvement of women in public forms of political activity.”
(Scates and Frances.)
 WWI gave women: “a socially acceptable reason to break with tradition.” (Scates and
Francs.)
 “Employers panicked.” (McKernan.)
 “The burdens of war were falling more heavily on some sections of society.” (Johnston et al.)