Essay On Australia's Attitudes Towards World War 1

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As World War 1 progressed, the attitudes towards combat changed in Australia. Previously, Australia’s attitudes towards warfare were of nobility, glorification, pride and honour. These ideologies were severely damaged during World War I because of specific events and people at home learning about the reality of war through the letters from the front line. The number of people who enlisted decreased and the Australian Government used propaganda tactics and desperate measures to manipulate men’s thoughts and attitudes towards the war.
With the outbreak of the First World War, England declared war on Germany, Australia immediately supported England and so did all the other countries in the British Empire. Their initial view of war was as short
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After the Gallipoli Campaign, newspapers reported on the results of the operation as noble and glorious. “The courage displayed by the wounded Australians will never be forgotten” (source 10). However, the letters sent back home (source 12 – 14) all written by soldiers have stated nothing about honour, courage or glory; only pain and death. "There were parasites which caused an abominable itch to which ever part of the skin where they operated," Lt Boyes wrote. "They lived and bred mainly in the seams of the inner garments and as there was no hot water or chemicals available for their control or destruction the field was open for them to multiply and flourish” (source 12). There is nothing magnificent and noble about parasites biting into every part of the skin, especially when the reason was because the leaders could not provide hot water or chemicals to control them A nurse helping the wounded men said “it is just awful – one could never describe scenes – could only wish all I knew to be killed outright” (source 13) there was no hope for the men. Most were on the edge of their deathbed. She could only wish that the men left peacefully to their demise. The letters opened the eyes of the Australians back at home, as they grasped the realities of war. The Great War was not an adventure, it was a