How Did The Gallipoli Campaign Affect Australia's Identity

What is the Anzac Spirit or Legend? Who portrays it? Its characteristics are in no doubt displayed by Australian and New Zealand defence force personnel. Arthur Bourke stated that the Anzac spirit is a sensation that can only be felt in every Australian and New Zealander that nurtures intense patriotism in the innermost soul of everyone.

World War One began in 1914 and it started with the assassination of the archduke of Austria-Hungary by a Serb. Austria-Hungary then declared war on Serbia, to which Serbia responded by turning to Russia for support. Eventually after many alliances there were two distinct sides, one on which was Britain. Britain, of course, being Australia's 'mother country' called on Australians for their support. There were drastic changes in Australian's attitudes over the period of WW1. Before the war, Australians were, in general, very supportive and enthusiastic about war. After WW1 began the reality of the severity of war dawned and although there was still support for the soldiers, their was a growing dissatisfaction with war especially as the death

Prior to World War 1, Australians on the whole suffered due to their geographical isolation, which technology had yet to defeat. Transport was solely by arduous sea journey, which restricted travel and communication with the rest of the world. The mass transfer of Australian youth to fight in Europe enabled the world to see for the first time the unique culture which was developing in this far away land. Recognition and respect was quickly given for the courage, good humour and strength in adversity displayed by Australian soldiers. The easy going egalitarian troops challenged the military norms of their British counterparts. While this

Both wars are extremely important and significant even to the modern day Australian. Many life’s were lost In the war and we have to be grateful for that. In my opinion the Kokoda campaign was more significant and important than the Gallipoli campaign. The Kokoda campaign was the unofficial last defense for Australia as if Kokoda was captured by the Japanese this gave them the upper hand on the invasion of Australia. Not only was the Kokoda the harder and more physically demanding campaign but also the first campaign that Australia fought on their own which gave a sense of pride and patriotism and also was the last defense before Australia without it Australia would be an open target.

The Gallipoli campaign was described as the baptism of the newly federated Australia, and a chance for Australian soldiers to prove themselves to the world. They were not ultimately victorious, but the soldiers came to represent the character traits of the new country: fit and healthy, duty bound and courageous, good humored and egalitarian. The ANZAC image allowed Australians to both demonstrate loyalty to Britain, and claim an identity of their own. There is much to challenge the factual accuracy of the ANZAC image.

World War 1 (1914-1918) was the first official war that Australians took part in, only thirteen years after federating as a country in 1901. During this time, thousands of lives were lost, families were torn apart, and friends were never seen again. April 25th became the national day to commemorate the ANZAC soldiers who had served overseas. Even now, 100 years later, people still remember those who sacrificed themselves for Australia, those who fought and fell in many battles to protect the country they lived in. The Gallipoli Campaign is the most famous battle of World War 1, the battle that every Australian household knows about. However, other battles such as the ones on the

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.

Last year, on the 25th of April was the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Which, according to the Australian Defence force website, was to be for Australians, “one of the most significant commemorations to take place during their lifetime.” With the centenary looming in the backs of the minds of the Australian people, it is unsurprising that great pains have been taken to construct a three year long celebration that would “encompass a number of historical milestones on Australia 's involvement in conflicts”, such as both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam.

The Anzac legend is still relevant in today’s society as it reminds Australians and New Zealands of the sacrifice they made to protect our country and let us live in freedom. The legend defines our national identity and helps shape our national reputation so that other countries can look at us as and think of us as a country who are determined, brave, resilient and helps our mates when they are in trouble. Almost a whole generation of young men was lost and they deserved to be remembered. The soldiers continued to fight during challenging times and when they felt as though it was too hard and should give up. They slept in wet and dirty clothes and barely had enough food to survive. Australia wouldn’t be Australia without the legend of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for us.

Battles such as Gallipoli are significant and remembered as there was a very high death toll and many lives were lost but when it comes to the effect on Australia as a country it is not as important as Kokoda. In Kokoda Australia was fighting to prevent our country from being invaded from the Japanese and we were fighting for the protection of our country. In Gallipoli the Australians where fighting for the allies far away from Australia’s shores. Both battles are very significant to Australia’s history but when it comes to how it affected Australia Kokoda stands out as the most important. The Kokoda legacy is a very important aspect of modern Australia and should be remembered as an important event in our history.

The Australian national identity was affected by the foreign policy and changing of alliances in World War Two, which is seen by, Australia’s alliance with America and their detachment from the mother country, their increase in victories on the battlefield as well as their economic progress post-war, which made Australia more independent and therefore shaped how it was viewed as a country. Throughout the war Australia was left vulnerable by Britain so America was called upon to help in defense. Australia fought many crucial battles with America and their victories paved the way for national success. After the war Australia had many great achievements economically which created their national identity.

Over the course of the war, the government enacted the ‘War Precautions Act’ to prevent newspapers, the primary source of public information, from publishing anything considered ‘unpatriotic’ (Simpson 2010). This meant that newspapers were forced to publish war propaganda and as the only source of information the public were only able to access what the government wanted them to. On May 8 1915, just two weeks after the landing at Gallipoli, it was British war correspondent Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett famously reported that ‘Australians rose to the occasion…. They knew that they had been tried for the first time and not been found wanting’ (Simpson 2010). This single story had a great impact on the Australian identity, especially among the public

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

ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corporation) troops established a reputation in the world, through qualities of strength and bravery, when faced by an unimaginable sense of adversity. In fact, it is much more than that, the legend of these men who endured so much has given something which Australians can be proud of. The Gallipoli landings, prior to dawn on the 25th April 1915, were one of the first opportunities for Australia, as a new nation, to earn the respect of the world, by showing her resilient national character, and putting her mark on the world as a nation not just descended from convicts. Their destiny was to create history, and to show the world the true valour and determination of an average Australian man.

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