Anzac Day Research Paper

First and foremost, the Anzac Spirit is about the remembrance of the sacrifices made by men and women who have and are still serving in the military.

The Anzac legend is an important aspect of our identity as a New Zealander. We have every reason to be proud of this historical event. In saying this, many New Zealanders died for us (as New Zealanders) and for our country, in order to give us a chance for a good life and be able to make a success of it. This essay will examine reasons of the Anzac legend and how it has been incorporated into the New Zealand identity. One aspect that this legend evaluates its place in our national identity is our pride. Our pride is shown immensely through the Anzac services that are both commemorated here in New Zealand as well as Gallipoli. We as New Zealanders are so proud that even though we did not succeed in the battle of Gallipoli, we made an effort to fight as brothers in arms until the very end. We acknowledge this proud moment in our history as that is how people recognise and identify us as New Zealanders. Another aspect that made our identity incorporated with the Anzac legend was our Ingenuity that we as New Zealanders were and are still well known for. The other point that makes our identity unique with the Anzac legend was the bonding with our fellow comrades, such as the Australians (as the corps was known as the Australian New Zealand Army Corps). New Zealand has had a long and positive relations with our neighbour Australia, especially during the time of the Gallipoli war. The bonding with the Australians was very important during this battle as they had to rely on each

On January 26, 1788 the first fleet arrived, marking the beginning of genocide of the Aboriginal People. By 1935 all states came to acknowledge the colonisation of Australia, and January 26 became known as “Australia Day”.

World War One is regarded as a major turning point in history and modern warfare which has impacted Australia monumentally, scarring the nation’s history. Australia played a significant role in World War One and the Gallipoli campaign, which is considered the birthplace of the ANZAC legend. These events have immensely shaped Australia as the nation we know of today. World War One began in 1914 from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ended in 1918 on November the 11th which is now recognised as a day of mourning and a time given recognition to the lives taken on the battlefield. To a prominent extent, the ANZAC legend is significant to the concept of Australian identity and nationalism through the origins of the ANZAC legend, the key events that have helped form Australia as an independent nation, and in addition to how ANZAC day is commemorated today.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated in London in 1916, by Australian and New Zealand soldiers to commemorate

‘A massive increase in the popularity and national significance of ANZAC Day’ (Source 1), grew throughout the twenty-first century. Since the landing of Gallipoli, it has been celebrated and as it continued, it quickly adapted to the cultural change of the media and technology which further improved the growth of its popularity. This day joins all Australians as one, in celebration to show their respect, compassion and pride for those people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Damian Morgan conveyed the change in society, but also the well-kept, treasured ANZAC Spirit.

In order to understand why the Anzac legend became so prominent, an understanding of Australia’s reasons for entering the First World War must be understood. Firstly, it was the first major war Australia would participate in as a state in its own right, less than two decades after Australian became a federation in 1901. According to Stanley,

The Gallipoli campaign had a major effect on Australia’s identity and the way the rest of the world saw Australia as a country. The Gallipoli campaign was a trial to test their nationhood. The campaign shown many qualities of the Australian soldiers including bravery, strength, courage, endurance and mateship. All of these qualities reflect on the nation that the troops came from. The involvement of Gallipoli was a major event that has shaped our country’s reputation and the sacrifices made by so many Australians shows the fortitude that many men had to fight for their nation.

Additionally, the Australians began to commemorate the events that occurred in Gallipoli. The pride in the Australian soldiers was strengthened due to the Australian troops fighting on the Western Front. Commemorations to show reverence continues to be held for the 63 163 Australians who were killed in the war and also for the surviving soldiers. Today and in the future, there needs to be a shared focus on both the Gallipoli and Western Front campaigns in these commemorations as the Australian soldiers who fought dauntlessly, endured the hardships and sacrificed themselves had a vital role to play in the victory of the Allies in the war and the freedom of Australia

Australians fought in many wars, but the most successful war was thought to be ‘the war to end all wars’ (World War One). The Anzacs had experienced many hardships in this horrific war; special qualities were developed throughout the war such as endurance, mateship and courage. On the 25th of April the birth of the Anzac legend had risen. As they charged into enemy territories, in the early morning of the 1900s, they were destined to succeed despite the raining gun fire by the Turkish soldiers. Mateship, courage and endurance gradually strengthened deeper into the war; as a result, no one could take away these three imperishable qualities. Many historical records show many different perspectives about the Anzac legend. As a nation, we look upon three main attributes that the Anzacs had demonstrated courage, mateship and endurance. Therefore, the Anzac legacy continues to prosper in its purpose to motivate the modern Australian society.

Since, WWI was one of the biggest events in Australian history, it led to another change in attitudes for Australians. One of the long lasting impacts that affect Australia today is ANZAC day. This is a day which commemorate the fallen soldiers who had fought for Australia during WWI. “…What the ANZAC legend did do by the bravery and sacrifice of our troops, was reinforce our cultural notions of independence, mate ship and ingenuity…”, is a quote by former Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating (2013), who was giving a speech concerning the Australian ANZACS. Contrary to the attitudes of war after WWI, Keating viewed WWI as a day to respect the “bravery and sacrifice of our troops”.

The Anzac legend began during the Gallipoli campaign where thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers died fighting the Turkish. On the 25th April in the year 1915 Australia and New Zealand troops landed on Gallipoli. Before WW1 Australia had struggled to find a unique identity which would separate it from its English roots. Having recently separated from England and becoming an independent nation Australia and its peoples were still searching for a national identity when WW1 began. WW1 was the first instance were Australia fielded its own national army after separating from England. This allowed Australian values, beliefs, and popular culture to truly start to grow. The Qualities which the Australian

World War I (1914-1918) was considered the 'Great War' and Australia’s Gallipoli campaign has always been considered as the pinnacle of the Australian military feats. This is due to the constant glorification of the event despite the fact it was an unmitigated failure. However, the work of the Australian army force in the most important battleground of WW1 the 'Western Front' is often cast under the shadow of Gallipoli. The battles on the Western Front took place in France, Belgium and parts of Germany and this is where some of the most pivotal battles were fought. The contribution and success of the Australians will be assessed through the analysis of several sources related to four major contributions related to the Western Front. These include the amount of Australians involved, the external opinions of Australia in the Western front, The Battle of

How has Gallipoli helped shape Australia, an understanding of who we are, and the larrikin spirit?

Anzacs went through some mateships and sacrifices that made the Anzac legend including other things that they did. To simply sum what the Anzac Legend is, its helping mates out, sacrificing yourself for your mate when you know they would do the same is the situationa was reserved. never giving up and this is what the Anzacs did by showing bravery and honesty for a 8 month long war with all the messednu[ situation and after failing, turning impossible to possible still showing the world that the Anzac spirit was made by the peole sacrificing thei life for family nd mate and doing what they can even during those tugh situation invade and take possesition of turkey starting with Gallipoli, take control of a landalong a trenched water called