Significance of World War I to Australia

Transcript | Image Copyright

Viewing Guide

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this resource contains images of deceased persons.

During

This video briefly discusses a number of contested historical issues, some of which Australians are still wrestling with today. While you are watching try to list issues and events that you think could be or have been contested.

In small groups create a presentation for your class on the different perspectives about one of the following contentious issues:

  • Aboriginal servicemen

  • conscription

  • the long term impacts of the war on returned servicemen

  • the many and changing roles of women

  • the treatment and internment of enemy ‘aliens’.

Timing

Unlike the previous post-video activities this project will take a few lessons to complete due to the depth of research required.

To reduce the required work down to a single lesson you could supply groups with one or two sources for their issue and ask them to create a single Powerpoint or Google Slides page poster or infographic explaining the issue instead.

Creating a presentation

Students should be encouraged to create a presentation in any creative way they desire. This could include as a video or using a range of different presentation software.

You could use the Learning Tools Selector to help students find an appropriate piece of software.

Resources for the contested ideas

Encouraging students to find their own resources is an important part of historical inquiry however some students may need support to find and use appropriate resources. You will know which and how many of these suggested resources you should share with your class.

Extension activities

Rather than have students create a static presentation you could assign sides of different issues to different groups and have them perform in a series of class debates to explore the different perspectives.

Syllabus outcomes

A student:

  • explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia (HT5-1)

  • sequences and explains the significant patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia (HT5-2)

  • explains and analyses the causes and effects of events and developments in the modern world and Australia (HT5-4)

  • identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process (HT5-5)

  • explains different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the modern world and Australia (HT5-7)

Significant events and the experiences of Australians at war

  • using sources, students investigate the following features of each war:

    • conscription

    • changing roles of women

    • enemy 'aliens'

  • Continuity and change: reasons for change and continuity in a particular historical context, eg rights and freedoms of groups in Australian society.

  • Cause and effect: intended and unintended causes and consequences of a particular historical event or development.

  • Research

    • identify, locate, select and organise information from a variety of sources, using ICT and other methods

  • Explanation and communication

    • develop historical texts, particularly explanations and historical arguments that use evidence from a range of sources

    • select and use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written and digital) to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences and for different purposes

Videos

Introduction

1. Introduction

The scope and nature of warfare at Ypres

2. The scope and nature of warfare at Ypres

Contrasting Ypres with Gallipoli

3. Contrasting Ypres with Gallipoli

Significance of World War I to Australia

4. Significance of World War I to Australia

Commemoration and the Anzac legend

5. Commemoration and the Anzac legend