Rachel

>>>>>>Rachel's AUSTRALIAN HISTORY PAGE<<<<<<<< good work Rachel!!!

^^^ for the record, that was Ms Joblin, not me blowing my own trumpet, hehehe. Ms Joblin, use the ~ ~ ~ ~ thingo- it'll prove my story, lol 1245844109

I hope this is what we're supposed to do.... I'll post all my hw and stuff here anyways, i guess 1245842164

25.6.09 Ok, Here's my Essay- I had no idea what i was doing, but i tried to summarise the textbook chapter that Tony gave us, i hope this is what you were looking for.... please feel free to edit, correct, (rewrite, lol). Ta 1245934882 

__//**The Politics of a Divided Society**//__ [25.6.09] The first World War, (1914- 1918) was a testing time for Australia, both as a newly federated nation and also as a diverse population of culture, denominations and political views. This period of time is known today as the ‘Divided Society’, which describes the struggles that the people and government faced as they dealt with questions of conscription, federal power & censorship, and conflicting political views throughout.

Prior to the outbreak of WWI, the Liberal party was in control, after the merging of the Liberals with the conservative party. However it was the Labour Party that gained the power of the federal government during the war. As a Party, the Labour group were particularly prone to dissent because they represented the working class of Australia, with a great many grievances to address. The Labour government was divided with how to deal with these problems, for example focussing on the political aspects (left wing), or the industrial ones (right wing).

These opposing methods of addressing the working classes problems first came the forefront with the issues of rising prices. Many people within the party were unhappy about the decisions made to give almost complete control of trade, commerce and industrial matters to the Federal government, as opposed to the people. Initially a referendum was planned to address this, but cancelled instead, and later these acts of legislation were passed in Parliament without unanimous consent. This was done to the outrage of the left wing of the Labour Party, which contributed to the split of the Labour Party in 1916.Conscription was the other major issue that occurred at this time, that had the Labour party divided in political opinion.

As a political group, the Labour party took a pro-conscription stance for the most part, during the 2 referendums conducted for the people. In order to promote the idea of conscription, the Government passed the War Precautions Act. This involved a heavy censorship, including controlling the newspapers, confiscating military reports and documents, and prosecuting people who took a public stance that ‘assisted the enemy’ or promoted prejudice recruiting. The War precautions Act was designed to prevent the people of Australia from being subjected to opposing opinions to conscription, which would include reports of horrors on the battle fields, etc. The pro conscription stance was supported by the protestant church, who were English founded and wished for Australia to continue their strong loyalty to the Mother Country. Their propaganda targeted the men who did not wish to fight, accusing them of disloyalty and cowardice. The Catholic church however, was opposed to conscription due to their Irish roots, which showed no patriotism for England.

The War Precautions Act also had a major effect on the German immigrants living in Australia at the time. This was due to the power given to the government to imprison these immigrants on the basis of conspiracy against the British allies. This caused much suspicion, prejudice and divisions in society, which ultimately caused disunity within the nation.

In conclusion, the factors that contributed to the divisions in society during WWI were: The Labour Party’s split over political and industrial dissent, Conscription which lead to dissent between Christian denominations, and The War Precautions Act that caused not only anger at the heavy censorship of media, but also prejudice against the German immigrants living in Australia.   __**Holiday Homework**__[7.09]

__//**Q1. Briefly describe the 2 conscription Referendums.**//__ The Conscription debate ‘divided Australia like never before…’1. As such a young nation, newly federated and economically blooming, WWI challenged Australia’s unity as a society and loyalty to the British Empire. There was so much dissent and tension between religions, ethnicities, political groups and classes that as a result, the Labour party federal government was forced to hold 2 referendums during the course of the war in order to introduce conscription (instead of using their power of supreme control through the War Precautions Act). Both attempts failed, despite huge efforts by Leaders like Billy Hughes. The Labour Party was anti-conscription, but when Billy Hughes came into leadership, he began to promote conscription because he was ‘convinced of the need for [it]’4. “This is a war to the death, a fight to the finish. The future of Australia and the hopes of Australian democracy hang upon this victory. We are called upon to do our share”5.

In the lead up to the first referendum, the Labour Party was able to censor much of the information given introduced through the War Precautions Act, passed in 1914. This act of legislation allowed the arrest of the advocates who publicly apposed conscription or the war. The government was also given power to control the press and media releases of news from the trenches. Correspondents like C.E.W Bean promoted the ‘ANZAC spirit’ and the heroic potentials of Australian in the War. This was important in the propaganda the government exposed the Australian people to, but despite these efforts, conscription was never approved of by the majority of voters. The first referendum resulted in a narrow decision. On October 28, 1916 (in a poll of 2.5 million), the majority ‘No’ voters won by only 72, 476 votes2.

After this, The Labour Government increased efforts to promote conscription, and released more and more propaganda that accused opposers of conscription as traitors, saying that ‘If Conscription is not approved… it would mean that Australians at home were willing to abandon their allies and their own soldiers…’6. Both sides accused each other of ‘bloodlust, disloyalty and murder’7 which caused much disunity within the Australian population. The different ideas regarding the war were advocated in passion and anger against each other, and even the Labour Party split after the first referendum from differing opinions. But by the second referendum in 1917, the margin was much more decisive as ‘a growing number of people simply hoped that [the war] would end as soon as possible’3.

The different opinions within society are listed below, ranging from the Protestants to the Catholics, Liberals to Labour, Urban workers to Rural workers, soldiers, Pacifists and Patriots. These views of the conscription debate are generalised, and do not conclude that the entire group shared the same opinion.

Endnotes: 1. & Spencely, G. For Australia’s Sake. Melbourne: Thomas Nelson, 1984. pg 63 2. Mirams, S et. al. Imagining Australia. South Melbourne: Thomson, 2006. pg 108 3. Simmelhaig, H. ibid. pg 63 4. Simmelhaig, H. ibid. pg 63 5. (Quote- Billy Hughes, 1916.) Simmelhaig, H. ibid. pg 63 6. Price, J et. al. The World and Australia. Sydney: Walshe, 1965. pg 21 7. Mirams, S. ibid, pg 107

__//**Q2. Provided example of the reasons for voting ‘Yes’ or ‘No’**//__ [NOTE:- This was in table format, but stupid wikispaces doesn't like me, and deleted it. To follow: BOLD writing = reasons for voting 'no' in the referendums]1247277594 YES **NO** Soldier- Have signed up voluntarily out of patriotism, and believes that is the right thing to do for all men his age. Soldier- At war, and sees how much help is needed, compared to the few volunteers offering their service. Labour Supporter- With a Left winged political view, believes the country is greater than the individual, and the individual must make sacrifices for the good of the country. **Liberal Supporter- With a right winged political view, believes the individual is more important than the country, and the government should not interfere with an individuals choice.** Rural Worker- Hears from the Governments propaganda that the Germans are evil monsters that are taking over the world- everyone must help to fight. Protestant- Supports the United Kingdom, especially through the churches English roots. Must protect the Mother country. Soldier- Goes to war out of pressure from family and friends. Hates the war, and believes if he has to do, everyone should. Urban Worker- Will lose the economic support of Britain if Germany invades England, need to protect his financial support. Woman- A maternal duty- to send one’s son to war, and thus saving the Empire, and protecting future generations. Patriot- Believes in loyalty and patriotism to Australia’s roots and the Empire. Answer the call of mates in the trenches. The Press- Censored by the government, promotes the ANZAC spirit, mateship and loyalty to the Empire.
 * Soldier- Has served his time in the war and has returned shell shocked and injured. Hopes no-one would ever be forced to see what he had seen.**
 * Pacifist- Believes all war is wrong, Australia should have no part in it.**
 * Rural Worker- Needs to maintain the farm, as it is the family’s only form of income. If forced to go to war, the family’s business goes bankrupt**
 * Catholic- From Irish roots, has no support or loyalty to England, doesn’t want to be a part of protecting the ‘mother country’**
 * Urban Worker- Doesn’t want to lose his bureaucratic job in his absence, especially to women.**
 * Trade Unionist- Believes that the war has nothing to do with Australia, and Australia’s economy will suffer if men were forced to get involved.**
 * Woman- Doesn’t want her son/husband to be forced to go, they might not return home.**
 * Woman- Doesn’t want to have to continue her husband job when he leaves, she has children to care for.**
 * Socialist- WWI is a class war that would only benefit Britain’s upper class and capitalists. Avoid the imperialistic war.**
 * Radical- Cheap coloured non-British labour would replace the soldiers at war, and destroy the progress the Unionist had made.**

Bibliography

Webb, K. Analysing Australian History. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

Mirams, S et. al. Imagining Australia. South Melbourne: Thomson, 2006.

Keneally, T. Our Republic. Melbourne: Heinemann, 1993.

Simmelhaig, H & Spencely, G. For Australia’s Sake. Melbourne: Thomas Nelson, 1984.

Price, J et. al. The World and Australia. Sydney: Walshe, 1965.

Engwerda, R & Cotter, R. Australian History to 1975. Queensland: Jacaranda, 1998.

Bidgood, A et. al. Twentieth Century History 1900- 1945. Collingwood: HTAV, 2006.

Macintyre, S. A Concise History of Australia. UK: Cambridge, 2004.

HERE'S MY 400 WORD EXTENDED RESPONSE, MS JOBLIN- I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND I WENT 1 WORD OVER THE LIMIT, LOL! 1248246347 Extended Response//** //What was the effect of WWII on Women, Ethnicities and Soldiers?// Despite the willingness for the Australian public to enter into the war, WWII had profound and negative impacts on every group in society. Particularly heavy implications of the war landed on the women, the citizens of German ethnicity and the young soldiers who left Australia to fight. Those of German descent in Australia had huge issues with persecution and racism during the war. The Australian government set out propaganda that labelled the Germans as the enemy, evil villains who were dangerous and hostile. As a result, German churches and schools were shut down, places with German names were changed, and many German workers lost employment for their ethnic descent. As part of the War Precautions Act, passed in 1914 the government held the power to arrest anyone suspected of hindering Australian recruitment or war efforts, which was often foreigners of German descent. The women of Australia also went through major challenges during the war. After being encouraged to send their husband and sons off to war, many women were forced to overtake the family business, farm work or factory labour in order to maintain Australian economy and an income. This resulted in many men returning home to find their jobs lost to women who worked for cheaper labour, which had huge implications for the women’s right activist around this period of time. Although women were forced to take on more work, it gave them a chance to prove their equality with men, and assisted them in getting the vote later on. Soldiers perhaps suffered the worst throughout this period. There was much peer pressure placed on young men to enlist to the army, from their friends to prove themselves, from their families to bring them honour, and especially from the women of Australia, who were encouraged to give white feathers to those who didn’t enlist as a symbol of cowardice. Those who did join the army were often very patriotic, but knew little about the war they were entering, or the implications. Contrary to the popular belief that war would be exciting and adventurous, the Australian soldiers were forced to endure extremely harsh conditions, for much longer than they originally anticipated. The battles at Gallipoli and the Western front resulted in the deaths of over 22, 000 soldiers, and many more wounded and shell shocked. I wasn't sure what the word limit was, i got about 400 words...... 1250769747 The ongoing conflict in Vietnam between Communist North and Capitalist South by 1964 caused great concern in Australia. We became involved in 1965 to contain communism, as a forward defence technique, commitment to alliances, and as an insurance policy for future assistance. The threat of Communism was a huge fear of Australia following the Cold War. America’s ‘Domino Theory’ suggested that if one country ‘fell to communism’ [1], then other countries would also eventually fall, as a chain reaction. The possible expansion of Communist China through communist movements was perceived to threaten Australia’s security if Indo-China fell. Prime Minister Menzies was a strong opponent of communism, and supported the US policy of containment. As a result, Menzies ‘firmly believed in the principle of forward defence’ [2], that Australia should fight this enemy of communism overseas, rather than wait for communism to invade our shores. This was closely linked with Australia’s desire to honour treaty commitments, like ANZUS and SEATO. SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) was a means of States to combat the Communist spread. The ANZUS treaty, (Australia New Zealand and US) was an alliance formed in 1951, which brought each nation involved to assist the others in times of need. Although neither treaty was directly called upon during the Vietnam war, ‘the spirit of theses treaties obliged Australia to assist it’s American Ally in it’s involvement in the conflict’ [3], according to Menzies. By Assisting the US in the Vietnam war, Australia also sought to further oblige the US to protect Australia in future threats of invasion, like from Indonesia. The mid 60’s saw Indo leader Sukarno take over West Papua in conflict with Malaysia, and Australia recognised that this might prove a threat to our own security. Since Australia id not have the military resources to fight by itself [4], it was perceived as important to secure the friendship and assured protection from the US, who until this point had never lost a war, and was emerging as a superpower against the USSR. Overall, unlike America, Australia was not invited by South Korea to enter into conflict on behalf of the democratic Vietnamese. Prime Minister Menzies in fact requested permission from the South Vietnamese Government to join the war, which was granted in 1965. Australia did not become involved in the Vietnam war out force or obligation, rather used the treaties and perceived threat of communism as a means of justifying our support of US foreign policy, in order to secure assured support from the superpower in potential future threats and invasions.
 * //AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
 * //Why did Australia become involved in the Vietnam War?//**

[1] Webb, K. //Analysing Australian History//. (UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004), pg 195 [2] ibid, pg 197 [3] ibid, pg 196 [4] Mirams, S et. al. //Imagining Australia//. (South Melbourne: Thomson, 2006), pg 173