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How did conscription divide Australia in ww1?

How did conscription divide Australia in ww1?

Unlike the other countries engaged in World War I, conscription was not introduced in Australia. Prime Minister Billy Hughes made two attempts to introduce conscription: two conscription referenda were held in 1916 and 1917. Both lost to the ‘no’ vote. Feelings on the issue ran high and bitterly divided the community.

How did the conscription debate affect Australia?

A government policy for conscription would have forced eligible Australian men into military service overseas with the AIF. Conscription was a contentious issue in the Australian community. It was hotly debated amongst Australia’s political and religious leaders at the time.

What was the debate over conscription in Australia during WWI?

There was sustained British pressure on the Australian Government to ensure that its divisions were not depleted: in 1916 it was argued that Australia needed to provide reinforcements of 5500 men per month to maintain its forces overseas at operational level.

What was the effect of conscription in ww1?

Effects of conscription 2) Act raised the age limit to 51. Conscription was extended until 1920 to enable the army to deal with continuing trouble spots in the Empire and parts of Europe. During the whole of the war conscription had raised some 2.5 million men.

How did conscription work in Australia?

Selective conscription meant that a certain number of 20-year-old Australian men would be chosen to serve in the Australian army. The process for choosing them was similar to a lottery. Numbered marbles, each representing a day of the year, were placed in a barrel.

What was the result of the conscription?

Almost all French Canadians opposed conscription; they felt that they had no particular loyalty to either Britain or France. Led by Henri Bourassa, they felt their only loyalty was to Canada….

Conscription Crisis of 1917
Resulted in Parliament passes the Military Service Act
Parties to the civil conflict

Why did conscription start in Australia?

In late 1964 the Menzies Government introduced balloted compulsory military service for 20-year-old males. Service was for two years (later cut to 18 months), and the scheme was intended to provide enough additional personnel to support the escalating commitment to the Vietnam War.

What were the effects of conscription?

The findings show that military service increases the likelihood of future crimes, mostly among males from disadvantaged backgrounds and with a previous criminal history. The only positive effect of conscription for this group is the decrease in disability benefits and the number of sick days.

Why was conscription introduced in Australia?

Why was there conscription in ww1?

The federal government decided in 1917 to conscript young men for overseas military service. Voluntary recruitment was failing to maintain troop numbers, and Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden believed in the military value, and potential post-war influence, of a strong Canadian contribution to the war.

How did conscription work in ww2?

Full conscription of men The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service. Those medically unfit were exempted, as were others in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering.

How did the conscription debate divided the nation?

The debate surrounding conscription divided the nation, especially in Queensland where the Labor Government of T J Ryan stood alone in opposing it. Campaigns leading up to the conscription referendum divided the community, as opposing groups presented their views in public meetings, marches and the press.

What was the debate about conscription in Australia?

Conscription was a contentious issue in the Australian community. It was hotly debated amongst Australia’s political and religious leaders at the time. New AIF recruits under instruction by Sergeant Major Vincent at Broadmeadows Army Camp, Victoria. 1914.

What was the conscription law in Australia in 1916?

At the beginning of the First World War, Australian law required all young Australian men to participate in national service within Australia only if Australia came under direct attack. The 1916 referendum was the first of two during the First World War and one of many conscription debates throughout Australian military history.

What was the result of the conscription referendum in 1916?

The 1916 referendum was the first of two during the First World War and one of many conscription debates throughout Australian military history. By 1916 both New Zealand and Great Britain had introduced compulsory military service. The referendum was lost in three states, including by a majority of 13,851 votes in Queensland.