Learning module:
First World War Defining Moments, 1914–1918
Investigation 1: The causes of the First World War
1.5 Why did some Australians volunteer for war and others decide not to?
Australian War Memorial A03406
You now have a good idea of why Australia went to war in 1914.
However, knowing why the nation went to war is different from understanding why individual people volunteered to go and fight.
1. Britain, Australia’s closest ally, best trading partner and the source of most of Australia’s immigrants declared war on Germany in 1914. As a result the Australian government called for volunteer recruits of eligible fighting age.
Below is a list of reasons why Australians might have volunteered to go to war. Which of these reasons do you think might have influenced Australian men of fighting age to volunteer? Read through these options and drag your top three into the table below.
2. From your top three reasons, write a statement or hypothesis about why you think some Australians decided to volunteer.
3. Now look at these reasons why Australians might not have decided to go to war. Read through these options and drag your top three into the table below.
4. From your top three reasons, write a statement or hypothesis about why you think some Australians decided not to volunteer.
5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not permitted to volunteer in the First World War. Do some research to find out whether any still managed to go and what motivated them to do so.
