Australians at War (History Term 3)
Australians at War
WW1
World War 1 was a global conflict between two coalitions, the Allies and the Central powers. Fighting took place mainly in Europe, the Middle East, as well as parts of Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
WW1 was characterised by trench warfare and the use of artillery, machine guns, and chemical weapons.
Statistics
WW1 was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, resulting in:
17 000 000 fatalities
21 000 000 injured
7 750 919 missing/prisoners of war
Mains
Militarism
Militarism is the belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. This is in order to gain power and achieve its goals.
This period saw significant changes to the quality of military weapons and equipment, accuracy and portability of heavy artillery.
Alliance
An alliance is a union or association formed for mutual benefit. Military alliances usually contain promises that in the event of war or aggression, signatory nations will support their allies.
The Triple Alliance (1882)
This alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy was motivated by anti-French and anti-Russian suspicions and sentiment.
The Triple Entente (1907)
This treaty is a three-way agreement between Britain, France and Russia.
Why were Alliances necessary?
More power
Increases chances of winning war
Provides help with resources and weapons
economic/financial assistance
Expansion of trade routes
Medical supplies
Propaganda
Improves currency
Provided protection
Imperialism
Imperialism is a system where one powerful nation occupies, controls and exploits smaller nations.
Several European nations were imperial powers prior to World War I. Imperial rivalry and competition for new territories and possessions fuelled tension between major European nations and became a factor in the outbreak of war.
Imperial territories and colonies were highly desired because they supplied markets, resources, investment opportunities, strategic bases and prestige.
By 1914 Germany’s economic production was exceeding Britain’s and yet Germany did not have the territorial control that they believed was appropriate for its status.
How does more land = more power?
Economic resources, land often contains valuable natural resources such as minerals, forests, and agricultural land. Control over these resources provides economic power through trade and taxation.
Agricultural production, additional land allows for increased agricultural productivity, leading to security, economic growth, and geopolitical influence.
Population and labour, more land can support a larger population. This provides a larger labour force for economic activities, tax base, military manpower, and consumer market.
Strategic positioning. Land provides strategic advantages, such as control over key transportation routes, access to natural barriers, and proximity to countries/regions of interests.
Expansion and colonisation. Historically, acquiring more land through colonisation or conquest has been a means for nations to expand their power and influence. More land means more territory to govern, extract resources from, and assert control over.
Nationalism
Nationalism is a nation's wish to be politically independent. Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Desire of subject people to seek independence
Desire of independent nations for dominance and prestige
Spark
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Australians at War
WW1
World War 1 was a global conflict between two coalitions, the Allies and the Central powers. Fighting took place mainly in Europe, the Middle East, as well as parts of Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
WW1 was characterised by trench warfare and the use of artillery, machine guns, and chemical weapons.
Statistics
WW1 was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, resulting in:
17 000 000 fatalities
21 000 000 injured
7 750 919 missing/prisoners of war
Mains
Militarism
Militarism is the belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. This is in order to gain power and achieve its goals.
This period saw significant changes to the quality of military weapons and equipment, accuracy and portability of heavy artillery.
Alliance
An alliance is a union or association formed for mutual benefit. Military alliances usually contain promises that in the event of war or aggression, signatory nations will support their allies.
The Triple Alliance (1882)
This alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy was motivated by anti-French and anti-Russian suspicions and sentiment.
The Triple Entente (1907)
This treaty is a three-way agreement between Britain, France and Russia.
Why were Alliances necessary?
More power
Increases chances of winning war
Provides help with resources and weapons
economic/financial assistance
Expansion of trade routes
Medical supplies
Propaganda
Improves currency
Provided protection
Imperialism
Imperialism is a system where one powerful nation occupies, controls and exploits smaller nations.
Several European nations were imperial powers prior to World War I. Imperial rivalry and competition for new territories and possessions fuelled tension between major European nations and became a factor in the outbreak of war.
Imperial territories and colonies were highly desired because they supplied markets, resources, investment opportunities, strategic bases and prestige.
By 1914 Germany’s economic production was exceeding Britain’s and yet Germany did not have the territorial control that they believed was appropriate for its status.
How does more land = more power?
Economic resources, land often contains valuable natural resources such as minerals, forests, and agricultural land. Control over these resources provides economic power through trade and taxation.
Agricultural production, additional land allows for increased agricultural productivity, leading to security, economic growth, and geopolitical influence.
Population and labour, more land can support a larger population. This provides a larger labour force for economic activities, tax base, military manpower, and consumer market.
Strategic positioning. Land provides strategic advantages, such as control over key transportation routes, access to natural barriers, and proximity to countries/regions of interests.
Expansion and colonisation. Historically, acquiring more land through colonisation or conquest has been a means for nations to expand their power and influence. More land means more territory to govern, extract resources from, and assert control over.
Nationalism
Nationalism is a nation's wish to be politically independent. Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Desire of subject people to seek independence
Desire of independent nations for dominance and prestige
Spark
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
