Quick quote: "There is but one way by which an Australian who loves his country can prove his patriotism in the great hour, when his country and all that free men value are in deadly peril, and that is by putting aside all differences of party, class, or creed, and, standing side by side with his fellow citizens, doing all within his power to overcome the enemy." Prime Minister Billy Hughes 1916, on the need for conscription.
Toward the end of 1916, enlistment figures had dropped to around 5,000 men per month. Britain and the allied forces needed more men and then Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes felt compelled to introduce conscription in order to send the required troops. In October 1916 Hughes called a referendum, asking the people of Australia to vote yes to conscription. The conscription debate was extremely divisive on Australian society.
Task 1
Visit the 'Billy Hughes at war' website through the link below and listen to the voices of the debate, trying to imagine how it would have felt to be in the shoes of those speaking. As you listen, create a table with the columns Yes and No and put the different people and groups represented in the table.
Visit the 'Billy Hughes at war' website through the link below and listen to the voices of the debate, trying to imagine how it would have felt to be in the shoes of those speaking. As you listen, create a table with the columns Yes and No and put the different people and groups represented in the table.
Quick quote: "To cut it short the boys in France have had such a doing of it, that they consider it murder (or near enough to it) to compel anymore to come from Aussie." Extract from a letter home by Private Victor Voules Brown, May 1917, expressing the views of some Australian soldiers in France.
Task 2
Summarise the arguments of each of the key voices shown below in the conscription debate and then write a short (2 minute) persuasive speech for each perspective. Choose the perspective you feel most passionate about and ask your family (or friends) to role play the other perspectives in a debate.
Summarise the arguments of each of the key voices shown below in the conscription debate and then write a short (2 minute) persuasive speech for each perspective. Choose the perspective you feel most passionate about and ask your family (or friends) to role play the other perspectives in a debate.
Quick quote: "Without the Empire we should be tossed like a cork in the cross current of world politics. It is at once our sword and our shield." Prime Minister Billy Hughes on the need to support the British Empire.
Task 3
Analyse the referendum results shown opposite. - Are you surprised at the closeness of the results? Why/why not? - How do you explain the greater difference in the second referendum? - What do you think the referendum figures suggest about Australian attitudes to the war in 1916 and 1917? Drawing on your knowledge and using enlistment figures, referendum results and quotes from key players at the time, write an extended (400 word) response to the statement 'The conscription debate illustrates the lack of enthusiasm Australians had for the war in its later years.' |
Before moving on, share your response with your peers on the forum, comment on at least one of your peers' responses.