INITIAL+RESPONSE+TO+WWI

Australia originally responded with indecent enthusiasm.

The response to WW1 was that men flocked to join the army so they could fight with the mother land (Britian). 20 000 men enlisted in Australian Imperial Force within 6 weeks of the start of WW1. The reasons for them joining up was the perception of going being an adventure, to escape Australia, restlessness, the desire to travel or for British migrants to return home and fight for the country. Also when Britain decleared war on Germany in 1914 this meant that the whole Commonwelth was involved. This included Australia, New Zealand, Canda and India. In Melbourne at the time thousands got together due to the enthusiasm towards the war and that ended up starting violence and riots in Melbourne. Also men joined due to them believing it was unpatriotic to not go and fight for ones country. Gavin Souter, Lion and Kangaroo,Sydney,1976, p.209. By Brenton
 * Good Quote ' War was a powerful attractive means of asserting national identity'**

When war broke out in August 1914, it started a wave of enthusiastic support from Britain and support for Australia's part in the war. Major political parties, the media, churches and leaders of the community were all in favour of Australia taking part in the war and was advertised as being a moral and necessary commitment. Many young Australian men rushed of to recriut, in which only the fittest and healthiest men were accepted at this time. However some people didnt' agree with being involved in the war, but there voices were not heard at the time. Of the men who did not enlist, they recieved white feathers and were rejected and abused by women because they didnt enlist to fight for their country. There was also alot of properganda in the media convincing men to enlist, many of the poster etc. were made to make the people feel like its their responsibilty to fight for their country. By Stacey.