At the outbreak of World War I, Australia was part of the British Empire and had a population of about 5 million people. The country was immediately involved in the war, with troops being sent to fight in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
In total, around 320,000 Australian men and women served in the war, with over 60,000 killed. The war had a profound impact on Australia, both socially and economically.
Why was Australia involved?
There were a number of reasons why Australia became involved in World War I:
* Imperial loyalty: As a part of the British Empire, Australia was automatically at war when Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914.
* Nationalism: Many Australians felt a sense of national pride and wanted to prove themselves on the world stage.
* Economic opportunity: The war provided an economic boost for Australia, with the government spending heavily on military supplies and munitions.
* Fear of invasion: Some Australians feared that the war could spread to the Pacific and that Australia could be invaded by Germany or Japan.
The decision to enter World War I was a controversial one, with some people arguing that Australia had no reason to be involved in a European war. However, the majority of Australians supported the war effort and the country made a significant contribution to the Allied victory.