ANZAC Day is a special day to all Australians as it is a time where we can all honour and commemorate the Anzac soldiers who have fought and died for our country. My name is Jessica Bell, a social historian, and I will be discussing the various aspects that make up the Anzac legend. The legend has played a crucial part in shaping the ways Australians interpret both the past and look into the future. It is a chance for each and every one of us to reflect on this everlasting spirit. The Anzac Legend is about the essence of our nation, the eternal fighting spirit, the sadness and grief for the loss of young lives and the horror of war. Although there was no victory during the war, numerous Anzac troops assisted in establishing their countries'
…show more content…
With these stories, "It is extremely difficult to understand where the facts end and the myth/legends begin" (Marilyn Lake 2010). Many sources have also shown that the voices of Indigenous Australians are missing from this legend. Today, the role that the Indigenous Australians played in the war is still not fully recognized. They were heavily discriminated against: They were not classed as citizens, they could not own land, and they were not allowed to marry anyone of a non-aboriginal descent. It is estimated that between 300 too 400 Indigenous Australians fought in World War I, opposing the Defense Act of 1909 which did not allow the enlisting of Aborigines. It was not until when World War II began in 1939, that the Australian Defence Force allowed people who were not of European descent to enlist in various services. The belief that the Anzac legend glorifies violence and war, due to the significant number of casualties that occurred. It claimed the lives of 136,425 men from various countries, including 8709 men from Australia. War is destructive and lays the foundation for oncoming wars. Australia has been involved in several armed conflicts, since World War I. In 1939, almost a million men and women volunteered to participate in World War II,
With these stories, "It is extremely difficult to understand where the facts end and the myth/legends begin" (Marilyn Lake 2010). Many sources have also shown that the voices of Indigenous Australians are missing from this legend. Today, the role that the Indigenous Australians played in the war is still not fully recognized. They were heavily discriminated against: They were not classed as citizens, they could not own land, and they were not allowed to marry anyone of a non-aboriginal descent. It is estimated that between 300 too 400 Indigenous Australians fought in World War I, opposing the Defense Act of 1909 which did not allow the enlisting of Aborigines. It was not until when World War II began in 1939, that the Australian Defence Force allowed people who were not of European descent to enlist in various services. The belief that the Anzac legend glorifies violence and war, due to the significant number of casualties that occurred. It claimed the lives of 136,425 men from various countries, including 8709 men from Australia. War is destructive and lays the foundation for oncoming wars. Australia has been involved in several armed conflicts, since World War I. In 1939, almost a million men and women volunteered to participate in World War II,