Australia until the outbreak of World War One had essentially been a country waiting for the right moment to mark its place in the world and prove that it was on par with other principle leaders such as Britain and the United States. The war allowed Australia to step up and participate through supplying men, weapons, material and more.
WWI Initiates and the World Takes Notice
Australia began to feel the effects as early as July of 1914, when Melbourne and Sydney experienced a fall in the stock exchange. Financial uncertainty was not a main reason for why thousands of men voluntarily joined the forces when the war began. Though there is a multitude of personal reasons men joined up such as family problems, unemployment and loneliness, they mostly joined up for one of four main reasons.
Nationalism and Loyalty
The main factor behind the desire to fight in the war was patriotism. Australia, during the outbreak of war was looking towards Britain for security as it was feeling uneasy about the rise of Japans power. In addition to protection, it was trying to find a balance of individualism, while achieve the goal of elevating its colonial status. The best way for Australia to prosper, was to support Britain when she declared war. If Australia supplied Britain and its allies with what was needed then they would in turn receive the security they needed in the Pacific and rise to the historic importance of the occasion.
Social Obligation
Another reason men join up with such fury, was that they did not want to be shunned by society, they felt joining the army was essentially imposed on them. If they were healthy, able-bodied men, it was their duty to participate in the fight. A man might not have been inclined to go to war, but if he stayed home he would have to face societal repercussions.
Escapades and Exploits
The third factor men joined the forces was for that sense of adventure. The war was a good opportunity for men to go to the other side of the world, see new things, new people and be a hero. Most thought that the war would be over by Christmas, but time kept going and casualty lists started appearing. Once fighting began and continued that longing for adventure slowly dwindled.
The Enemy
The last main element that contributed to the huge initial interest in joining the armed forces was an increased hatred for the Germans. Australian men believed that God will take a strong hand in the war and thoroughly punish Germany. They too wanted a hand in wiping out such an infamous nation.
The length of the war could not have been predicted at the start, but World War One turned out to be one of the longest, burdensome struggles for Australia and its allies. By the end of the war, many people felt bitterness over sending their sons, fathers and brothers to die in a war that was not their making.
Source
Gammage, Bill. The Broken Years: Australian Soldiers In The Great War.(Canberra: Australian National University Press) 1974.
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