WWI

World War One had started when Britain declared war on Germany. There were many responses to World War One from Australians with the main one being the response of "indecent enthusiasm". World War One was declared on the 4th of August 1914, and finished in the year of 1918. This was intially unexpected as it was thought by people that the war would be over within just a few months. Australians still held close ties with Britian which contributed to it's enthusiasm of the war as it was seen as a chance for Australia to prove itself worthy of the 'Mother Country'. This however was not the only reason for Australia's response. Many men saw the war as a chance to travel, have adventure and become heros.

Women were also affected majorly by World War 1. Women were forced to work and had to 'fund' the war. They made voluntary contributions to the war like fundraising.Organisations such as The Red Cross recruited thousands of female members who initially raised funds for war refugees. Women were also urged to encourage their sons to join up and prove their loyalty and commitment. Most of the women who were involved in voluntary work and campaigns for the war were the wives or mothers of soldiers who left to fight in the war. (T.F)

The cause for World War One was complicated and nothing like World War 2, where Germany has been blamed because they invaded Belgium in August 1914. Britain had promised to protect Belgium. By 1914, Europe had divided into 2 groups (alliances). The triple alliance, which was Germany, Italy, and Austra-Hungary; and the triple entente, which was Britain, France, and Russia. Another issue was the much caused friction between Britain and Germany. Germany's desire was to increase the size of there navy. (A.G)

Even after the official end of World War I, its far-reaching effects resounded in the world for decades in the forms of changing politics, economics and public opinion. Many countries began to adopt more liberal forms of government, and a hostile Germany was forced to pay for a large deal of war reparations, which ultimately led to the start of World War II. As Europe fell in debt from war costs, inflation plagued the continent. Additionally, the optimism of previous decades was abandoned and a bleak, pessimistic outlook on life was adopted after people had experienced the brutality of warfare. (AJLN)

In 1914 Australia was a British colony, and although in 1901 Australia had federated and became a new nation, a new economy, a new political system governing the entire country, Australia still had great loyalty to Britain and this had been taken to mean that there was a relationship between Australia and Britain. In 1914 when Britain declared war, it did so on behalf of the whole empire and that would mean Australia would then be involved in the War. (T.B)