1AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
Australia’s war and division of society
According to Beaumont (1995)1, the division of the Australian society can be
attributed to the wars that continued for more than a few decades. The wars that divided
Australia were not only territorial but also political as well as social. The World War I
(WWI) had the most extensive impact on the Australian integrity. Still, the political and
social scenarios that prevailed in the pre-war era need to be evaluated.
The pre 1914 era saw the rise of political liberalism where the Labor party made
several legislations that improved the condition of the people. Though, by 1909, Labor party
was becoming disenchanted and formed coalition with the conservatives. When the WWI
broke out, which of these two parties should be allowed to govern the country became the
main reason for conflict. This transformation also created tension between the two wings
related to labor movement, the industrial wing and the political wing. This shows that the
changes that took place in labor party as well as the political arena of Australia created the
background for the split that happened due to WWI2.
The First World War broke out in 1914 with Britain declaring war against Germany.
Australia being a colony of Britain entered into the war automatically. Within a month into
the war, Australia was facing economic downfall. Australia sent thousands of soldiers who
died in the war3. By July 1916, there were more than 38,000 Australian casualties in battles
such as 1st AIF attack, 2nd ANZAC attach and 3rd battle of Ypres.
The defeat of plebiscite in 1916 along with several other uprisings created a serious
rift in the Australian society. The establishment of first socialist government in Russia creates
further inspiration. By the end of the WWI, the Australian society was deeply divided. The
1 Beaumont, J., 1914. The politics of a divided society. Australia’s War, 18, pp.35-63.
2 Bevege, M., 1993. Behind barbed wire: internment in Australia during World War II (p. 146). St Lucia, Qld:
University of Queensland Press.
3 Gammage, B., 1974. The broken years: Australian soldiers in the Great War. Canberra, ACT: Australian
National University Press.

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Australia’s War and Division of Society

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