How Did The Gallipoli Campaign Shaped Australian Identity

The Gallipoli campaign helped shaped the Australian Identity. The Australian national character is seen as determined and courageous today because of the horrific experiences of the Anzacs in World War I.

Paragraph 1 Australian’s identity promotes the values of acceptance, mateship, equality, and a ‘fair go’. Traditionally Australian’s believe being relaxed and living life to the fullest. World War I was significant in shaping Australia's identity because it established Australia as an individual country. Australian’s was not obligated to fight in World War I since the war happen on the other side of the world. Thought the reason the troops singed up anyway was because many felt that we should help the 'mother country' Britain.

The Anzacs

Previously before the war, far fewer women than men contributed in work. Women's main role was to be seen at home cooking, cleaning and looking after the children. However, the First World War helped women to be established as an important part of society. It encouraged women to have more independence instead of ignoring them and passing them off as housewives. “However, in the war zone life for the Australian soldier on Gallipoli was tough. Packed inside the tiny Anzac perimeter, they endured extreme weather and primitive living conditions during the months on the peninsula.” (New Zealand History , 2013) During summer (June-August), temperatures soared ,the winter months (November-January) brought rain this would flood the trenches thought though the Turkish soldiers were on high ground this did not affect them as much, snow and bone-chilling wind, was also harsh due to the uniforms were not designed for such weather. After a few months in crowded conditions poor food, water shortages and exhaustion reduced the men’s resistance to

The Turks had early knowledge that a attack was imminent and they had prepared themselves accordingly. As well as the Anzacs landing spot was incorrect, they set down two kilometres north of their intended destination at a place that was later to be called Anzac Cove. This may have been the result of strong ocean currents, faulty navigation and miscalculations. Although they were only a few kilometres away from their intended landing place, the soldiers found themselves on ground which was the complete opposite of what they had expected. The journey up was describes as “This is not war its slaughter. No man, however brave, can’t advance against a sheet of bullets from the front and a shower of shells from overhead." (BBC - History, 2014) described one of the soldiers. At Gallipoli, the soldiers suffered two thousand three hundred casualties and had covered only nine hundred