Most Important Qualities Of The ANZAC Legend

Some of these qualities include mateship, honour, courage, integrity, determination to win, discipline, initiative, loyalty and patriotism. Charles Bean’s book, Anzac to Amiens, wrote that the Anzac stood, and still stands for reckless valour in good cause for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat.

Many events have led up to the shaping of the ANZAC legend along with various individuals and groups contributing to how these events took place. The ANZAC legend is also known as the ANZAC myth, referring to the representation of Australians and New Zealanders that fought for their countries (Australian War Memorial, n.d, online). A vast number of significant individuals played a role in leading the ANZAC’s to World War One and leaving lasting legacies behind them. One of the men, named Battery Sergeant Major G Ellsworth served as an Australian solider and upheld his duty as a proud ANZAC solider until his

Yet, the amount of emphasis that is placed on the Anzac legend could be argued to be incorrectly placed and channelled by certain groups for their own gain. This essay will argue that the Anzac legacy of the Australians being the perfect soldier is highly embellished and are no more remarkable than any other soldier. Furthermore the importance and Australia’s involvement in the First World War has been grossly inflated. Additionally, this will analyse claims made by historians and other academics about how the Anzac legend has changed overtime, and Australia’s involvement in wars.

‘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.

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.

World War 1 war correspondent and historian Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean believed that Anzac Day 1915 saw the birth of the Australian national consciousness maintaining that "The big thing in the war...was the discovery of the character of Australian men. It was a character which rushed the hills at Gallipoli and held on there during the long afternoon and night, when everything seemed to have gone wrong and there was only the barest hope at the end of success". Gallipoli also saw the birth of the 'Anzac Legend' or 'Anzac Spirit'. A term used to illustrate the characteristics of ANZAC soldiers which encompassed bravery, endurance, ingenuity, comradeship and what Australians call 'mateship'. The term developed as a central part of Australia's collective memory and national identity growing popular largely due to Bean's works.

By the time the war was over in November 1918, more than 9 million soldiers had been killed. Those who survived Gallipoli would never again mistake war for adventure. Within 24 hours the plan had failed, leaving approximately 747 Australians dead on the first day. Gallipoli has become so important to Australia’s national identity because it was the first time Australian’s fought overseas. World War 1 has shaped the way Australia’s now lives as we grow to know, and respect the Anzac legend as we understand what the soldiers did for our nation. The ANZAC legend will always live on as the stories are passed through family, to family. Anzac Day is celebrated to ensured the campaign will never be forgotten.

The ANZAC spirit was born on the twenty-fifth of April 1915, on this day Australian soldiers landed upon the shores of Gallipoli to serve their country for the first time in war. Each year Australians celebrate the mateship, courage and heroism the ANZAC soldiers showed on that day. Although, people tend to depict these soldiers as victims of a catastrophic trauma, yet this passionate sacrifice is what gave Australia its name. Furthermore, there is word of discussion about the truth behind the accuracy of the ANZAC legend. Evidence demonstrates that the ANZAC legend is an accurate portrayal of what occurred the day the ANZAC’S landed in Gallipoli. The legend of mateship, heroism, courage and bravery is an accurate representation of the fighting Australian and New Zealand soldiers in world war one.

The landing at Anzac cove, Gallipoli, is a significant part in the history of our identity in the war and the world. I

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.

“The driving need to celebrate the deeds of past serviceman and promote conceptions of national identity wrapped in the imagery of war have come to dominate our national discourse” (Stockings, n.d.) Professor Craig Stockings of ACSACS (Australian Centre for the Study of Armed Conflict and Society) states on the topic of the ANZAC myth. This quote is simply stating that WWI changed Australia’s views on war - in the way that we celebrate it as if it was the countries biggest victory. In truth, Australia’s outlook on war didn’t change in this perspective; our idea of the bronzed, larrikin soldier still stands strong. However, when World War II (WWII) rolled around, men didn’t want to enlis; they’d seen the detrimental health effects on soldiers and the many lives lost. War, in short, was no longer a celebratory thing then (Rush to enlist, n.d.). However, this year, the government spent millions of dollars on ANZAC celebration to fuel the, essentially, trivialisation of war - the ANZAC legend. (AWM, n.d.) Australia’s view on war changed in that we thought of it as a celebratory act in modern times - this proves, it was not justified because of the trivialisation that goes on in

Anzac day is a huge part of australia’s national image for many reasons. This day is a vital part of how australia is seen by other countries. I will be discussing why Australia went to world war one in 1914, Describing the effects to the soldiers from their experiences in world war one and I will be linking the experiences of the world war one soldiers to our national identity today.

World War One was not just about the Germans and Russians. But It was the also about those solider who died serving for Australia during the Battle of the lone pine, which we all known as the Anzac today. The Gallipoli Campaign, which happened in 1915 and finished in 1916. It lasted for eight months and two weeks. Gallipoli Campaign had been a bad experience in the Australian War History. After they had fought for almost a year. Anzac was withdrawn from that Gallipoli Campaign. In this essay I’m going to explain about the reasons for the battle, the role of Australian soldiers and the how about how important was the contribution of Australian soldiers in the battle.

As it not only marks the initiation of our controversial war history, signifying the first time our country joined together in unity. It becomes the focal point for remembering all the soldiers who have fallen in horrors of war, the continuous suffering which family members endured. Through the ANZAC legend, future generations have a responsibility to remember not only those who served, but all contributions made, during the era in which the legend was born. We have an obligation to respect the soldiers, honouring the unique characteristics of each individual, ensuring we don’t stereotype the courageous

26th of January is celebrated around Australia, every year with millions of Australians enjoying barbeques at the beach, park or in your backyard to commemorate the landing of the first fleet in 1788 and establishing Australia’s history. However, does this day provide a unifying force for all Australians, Australians such as indigenous and migrants who did not have equal rights approximately 100 years ago. This essay will analyse the significance of the date of Australia day. It will further investigate why it has been subjected to terms such as invasion and survival day. In an attempt to navigate if Australia day is a unifying force for all Australians, I will first examine the date of Australia day and discuss the importance for all Australians. Identifying the impact it has had on Australians to be celebrated, for over 300 years since the first fleet. Finally, I will observe why this day is known as invasion and survival days to other Australians, which Australians observe that this day is an invasion day and should this day change to another date, which does not hold the same significance as 26th of January.