Enlistment Flashcards
(7 cards)
When was Australia officially brought into war
6th August, automatically joined with Britain after they joined 4th of August.
Why was there such a good reaction?
Patriotism - Love for Britain and their own country, as it was the first time the country could represent itself in a big scale
It was the Mother Country
Propaganda and Social expectation - You were basically told to go or you were a failure, even if you had a good excuse like an injury
Enlistment standards at first
Turned away due to bad teeth, too short, best looking soldiers to look the best, very high standards at the beginning
Enlistment standards with time
Age gap grew at least 20 years, they did not care for looks or height, most would look past young soldiers impersonating - all because they needed the numbers as war was continuing to get worse
Why did people stop wanting to enlist?
Saw the devastation of war
Out of the 40% of the male population that left 15% did not make it.
Why did so many volunteer detailed
- Call of adventure
- Social pressure
- Patriotism
- Civic duty
- Regular paycheck
- Escape normal life
- Family and friends were signing up or expected you to
- Prior service - many british veterans lived in AUS at the time
Aboriginal peoples - not detailed
Most were turned away at first
Were wanted due to number shortage three years in (the form no longer included: must be of european descent)
They wanted to enlist to increase their rights and respect from others
