Syllabus
An overview of the causes of the wars, why men enlisted and where Australians fought (ACDSEH021, ACDSEH095, ACDSEH024)
Students:
• outline the main causes of both wars
• locate and sequence the places where Australians fought in both wars
• explain why Australians enlisted to fight in both wars
The scope and nature of warfare (ACDSEH095, ACDSEH107)
Students:
• describe the nature of warfare during the Gallipoli campaign
• explain the outcome of the Gallipoli campaign
• outline and sequence the changing scope and nature of warfare from trenches in World War I to the Holocaust and the use of the atomic bombs to end World War II
Significant events and the experiences of Australians at war (ACDSEH108)
• using sources, students investigate the following features of each war:
– prisoners of war
– a specific campaign, eg the Western Front 1916 and the New Guinea campaign 1942
– the role of women
– participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
– a specific event/incident, eg the Battle of Hamel 1918 and the Fall of Singapore 1942
Impact of the wars on Australia (ACDSEH096, ACDSEH109)
Students:
• outline the Australian governments' control on the home front in both wars for each of the following:
– conscription
– use of government propaganda
– changing roles of women
– enemy 'aliens'
– wartime controls/censorship
Significance of the wars to Australia (ACDSEH110)
Students:
• explain the impact of the wars on returned soldiers/civilians
• analyse the changing relationship of Australia with other countries after World War II
Commemorations and the nature of the ANZAC legend (ACDSEH097)
Students:
• explain how and why Australians have commemorated the wars
• explain different perspectives on the ANZAC legend
Between 1914-19 Australia’s population was approx. 4.9 million.
Ø Around 420,000 Australians enlisted for services
•38.7 % of the male population aged between 18 and 44.
•334, 792 embarked overseas to fight
Ø61,514 died during the conflict
•Average of 38 Australians died every day during the 1,560 days of war.
Ø155,133 were wounded in action.
ØRoughly 1 in 2 Australians who participated in the war were killed or wounded.
This meant that almost every Australian community felt the impact, as Australia had a small population (just under 5 million at the time).
Globally
Total military deaths: ~9–11 million
Civilian deaths (from famine, disease, and military action): ~7 million
Wounded (military): ~21 million
Overall casualties (killed + wounded, military + civilian): about 37–40 million people.
Using the information above answer this question: Why is WWI a significant event in Australia’s history.