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Vote No: Conscription takes the Bread-earner of the poor mother and sister, but never the bread-earner of the rich mother and sister, etc 1915-1917

By
Anti-Conscription League of Australasia
From the collections of the
State Library of New South Wales
[a7478004 / A 1523]
(from the Anti-Conscription League of New South Wales minute book, 1915-1917, Mitchell Library)

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Women and World War I
Subjects
Armed forces Peace movement Voting and Elections World War I
Events
Conscription referendum 1916 Conscription referendum 1917 World War I

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Anti-Conscription League of Australasia

State Library of New South Wales

Women and World War I

Women played prominent roles in the anti-war, anti-conscription and peace movements in Sydney between 1914 and 1918, lead rallies and demonstrations and addressed outdoor meetings across the country. As sisters, wives and mothers, women were expected to sacrifice their menfolk in the ultimate act of patriotism yet many opposed the war for that very reason. For others it came down to a sense of moral obligation or issues of class and gender.

Peace movement

Voting and Elections

World War I

Armed forces

Conscription referendum 1916

Whilst universal military training for Australian men aged 18 to 60 had been compulsory since 1911, the referendum, if carried, would have extended this requirement to service overseas. It arose as British pressure mounted for Australia to continue to supply adequate forces for the European war.

full record »

Conscription referendum 1917

British pressure to supply a sixth division of 7000 men per month led to the second referendum that would have seen compulsory reinforcements augment dwindling volunteer recruitment. Whilst it was defeated it remained highly divisive politically, socially and within religious circles.

full record »

World War I

International war between the Allies (Britain and its dominions, France, Russia, Italy and the USA) and Central Powers (Germany and Austria–Hungary,Turkey and Bulgaria) that was fought mainly in Europe and the Middle East. It began on 28 July 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918. Australia's involvement in the war began on 4 August 1914 when Britain and Germany went to war and Australia, as one of Britain's dominions, pledged full support. Australians fought in the British and Australian armies.

While no battles took place on Australian soil, Australian involvement in the conflict had both immediate and long term impacts on the local community.

full record »