why did austrailians sign up for world war 1?

Answer 1

"Although hundreds of thousands of Australians were willing to put thier lives at risk, they often found it difficult to grasp the precise reasons for the war." The author's father was a horse tamer, lied about his age, signed up at 16, and was accepted into Western Australia's mounted infantry. Some may dismiss adventure (and regular pay) as a reason to sign up, but many surely did in all nations during the Great War.

Answer 2

Though Australia was federated as a nation on 1 January 1901, it remained a part of the British Empire. "The sun never sets in the British Empire" indicated that on every part of the globe, Britain had a colony or other. Since WWII many of those colonies have become independent countries, while remaining part of the Commonwealth.

It seems strange to us that people would volunteer to fight war. The Dalai Lama explained that in 1900, if a country wanted to resolve an issue by going to war, there was no question by anyone whether that was the correct option. In 2000, most people are sceptical about the use of war. (He also said that in 1900 an invaded country would accept its fate, unlike today where it is more likely to reject hat reality and substitute its own.)

It was also a time when one could say, "The Hun eats babies" and folk would sign up to kill Germans. (Never mind that the British and German royal families were closely related.)

Towns and products with German names were renamed. Some Australians would have fought against their relatives (had they been sent to those fronts.)

That's a simplification, but they are the types of factors. How many lied about their age to get in, for goodness sake. Obviously they hadn't seen Full Metal Jacket on DVD.

Answer 3

Australia "signed up" to WW1 for a few reasons:
1 - to assist other nations of the British Empire - of which Australia was then a nation apart.

2 - to save Britain; britain was still providing MANY aspects of Australia with governance. For isntance Britain still conducted Australia's foreign policy and ensured a greater level of defence. Thus Australia sought to ensure national security through the preservation of the British Empire.

Hopefully this answers your question...

Answer 4

Australia was still part of the British Empire in 1914, and alot of Australians were either British migrants, or at least of British descent, the entire nation felt like it had to do what it could to help the Empire.

There was a great pride, as it was still the time of rampant nationalism.

Answer 5

Because of their affiliation with England and the British Commonwealth, the Australians like the Canadians came to the aid of the mother country.

Answer 6

Probably because many Australians still thought of themselves as "subjects" in the greater British Empire and still sympathised with the British in any conflict they had with anyone else.

Answer 7

moo-moo .. are we answering your history assignment questions for you ( i just answered another of your questions) ..

While everybody has provided you with great answers ... ( and while my answer on the other question wasn't great, the links i provided are) ... I really think you should do your own research on this , as there is just so much to learn and understand and appreciate.
Not only the Gallipoli campaign but many of the other battles .. Paschendale the Somme etc etc .. ... the effects the war had on australia .. the fact that many small towns lost a generation of young men ...

PLEASE don't cheat YOURSELF out of learning about this most important event in Australian History .. it is a fascinating story and one many young aussies SHOULDN'T forget.

Answer 8

They were part of the British Empire, loyal to King and
country.