Australia's involvement World war 1
...erialism and military expansion. The major powers competed to gain access to raw materials outside Europe and to increase trading opportunities. This led to the development of weapons and navy’s that they could use to protect their interests. Once the nation attempts to protect its interests it led to fear of power. Britain and France feared Germany’s navy and army. France sought revenge for the Alsace and Lorraine, which Germany had taken from France in 1871. In 28th June 1914, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Throne, Archduke Franz Fedinand was shot by a Serbian nationalist at Sarajevo in Bosnia. This made Austria p/off which then made Austria declare war on Serbia. This assassination led to World War I. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria) and the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Serbia) was formed in response to growing rivalries among the European nations. The Italians at first chosed to support the Germans and Austrians, but later changed sides. All the countries that made up the British Empire such as Australia and Canada, which had become independent, supported Britain. :::AUSTRALIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I::: When World War I broke out, Australia was just 13 years old of becoming a nation. Most Australians still thought of Britain as the “Mother Country”. Australia’s prime minister, Andrew Fisher promised that “Australia will stand behind our Mother Country to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling”. Support for the Mother Country was not the only reason why Australian men to enlist for war. They also wanted to have an opportunity for adventure, avoid the disapproval of peers and young women, then chance of higher wages, the hatred of the Huns (Germans) and men’s feeling that it was their “duty” to enlist. Then there was the fear of what would happen if Germany defeated Britain. Only a few Australians opposed to war. These were the cons...