Tuesday, 7 November 2017

The Conscription Conflict and the Great War

 
Editors: Robin Archer, Joy Damousi, Murray Gout and Sean Scalmer
Citation: Archer, Robin (ed.), et al. The Conscription Conflict, Australia : Monash University Publishing, 2017
Monash University Publishing
Summary:  At the outbreak of the First World War, patriotic fervour was highly prevalent in Australia. Young men enthusiastically enlisted in droves out of a desire to serve their country. Others, such as conscientious objectors, refused to do so. Amidst this, the Australian government under Prime Minister William Morris Hughes made at least two attempts to pass conscription into law via referendums. Both of these attempts would end in failure. But how did this come to pass? Through nine chapters of essays (divided into four parts) that have been edited by four academics, "The Conscription Conflict and the Great War" elaborates on this. Specifically, it elaborates on how the anti-conscription movement arose in the first place, how it gradually cohered into a powerful group and how it was able to gain the momentum to succeed. It also draws comparisons with other nations where conscription was a factor. Overall, this is a book that sheds light on an aspect of Australian history that people in contemporary society may not be fully aware of.

Time Period(s): World War I

External Links:

Publisher's page
http://www.publishing.monash.edu/books/ccgw-9781925377224.html

Goodreads page
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30619301-the-conscription-conflict-and-the-great-war

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