Australia's Involvement In World War I

Australia`s involvement in the First World War began after The British Empire entered the war against Germany on August 4, 1914 . When The Great War broke out, it was welcomed with great enthusiasm in Australia and many young men were rushing to sign up and to take arms. Having in mind that Australia was part of the British Empire, the moment Great Britain entered the war Australia became part of the conflict. Prior to looking back at the motives and numbers of Australia’s involvement in WWI, I would like just to mention that AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) were not part of the regular Australian Armed Forces, but a solely voluntary type of forces. When we take into consideration the 416 thousand soldiers taking part on
Following the Commonwealth Defence Act passed on January 1, 1911, determining the military obligation for all men between the age of 12 and 26, but not forcing them to enter conflicts outside Australian borders . However, Prime Minister Billy Hughes tried two times to amend the Act, aiming at necessary deployment of Australian troops to the Fronts, but the attempt was dismissed by a majority of voters.
At the outbreak of the War, Australia`s military forces were focused on guarding the coastal lines and protecting important strategic military and state property.
Taking a completely unbiased point of view, many would argue that the outcome of the war would not have a direct significance on Australia, in the sense of territory loss, death of military and civil population, destruction of infrastructure, etc. Having in mind the eventual defeat of the British people would have a vast negative economic effect on Australian economy, but Australia being so far away from Europe and definitely in ability to set up economics ties with countries in its surrounding would inevitably provide with an economic buffer from an economic and financial downfall caused by a grim ending of the Great War. All that being said, we must therefore look at what were personal motives of people enlisting in the Army and travelling thousands of miles, facing danger during the trip
The role of women whose husbands, brothers, sons and fathers went to fight for what was right was so big and it had a huge part in maintaining the high level of motivation back in the homeland. Women who were part of the nationwide movement of “war effort” were replacing men in industries such as clothes and footwear production, food and printing industry, clerical and teaching positions. Women showed great initiative in being more involved directly with the military, taking their role as cooks, munitions workers, stretcher bearers, but they did not receive authorization from the authorities. Some brave women went to the front where they were nurses helping wounded soldiers. Number of those brave women came back with medals. They were also involved in poster making and whole propaganda about recruiting, being portrayed as dependable and in seek of protection, and also as the ones who will primarily acknowledge bravery and be fond of men in uniforms, additionally enhancing aspiration of men to