Initial Reactions

The outbreak of war began in August 1914 seemed to unleash a huge wave of enthusiastic support
for Britain, and support for Australia’s part in the war. All major political parties, churches,
community leaders and newspapers seemed to support Australia’s entry. The landing at Gallipoli
was a major event in the war. Even though the Gallipoli campaign was a military defeat, it helped to
provide Australians with a new sense of their identity and place in the world.

After the retreat from Gallipoli, most Australians soldiers eventually became involved in the trench
warfare of the Western Front. Gallipoli soon led to a harsher and more realistic attitude towards
war, as over time, the death and casualty lists increased.

Continued casualties led to great recruiting campaigns on the home front. Many recruiting posters
were developed to encourage people to help in the war effort.

The war saw governments take on new and wide powers over aspects of people’s lives. One of its
major actions was to pass the Wa Precautions Act.

In 1916, Prime Minister Hughes proposed raising the numbers needed to maintain Australian troops
at full strength at the Front by conscripting those who to date were unwilling or opposed to enlisting
to fight.

By 1917 and 1918, people were increasingly war-weary. Recruits now only trickled in where they had
flowed in 1915 and 1916.

At the outbreak of war, far fewer women than men participated in work, and these tended to be in
lower-paid occupations. Women’s contribution to the workforce rose from 24% of the total in 1914
to 37% in 1918.

Source Analysis Questions

1. The source is showing an innocent mother being slaughtered by a ferocious monster. The poster is
referencing to the war and convincing readers to join the war to help their country.

2. Symbolism is shown strongly in this poster. This poster is referencing that Germany is the monster
and the mother is Europe. It is showing that Germany is slaughtering Europe which is also the
‘mother’ of many countries.