how did world war one affect nz society?
marked new zeaLAND'S 'COMING OF AGE' IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE
New Zealanders believe that New Zealand's participation in the war strengthened their ties with the British Empire. This was especially recognized when in 1920 the Prince of Wales attended Anzac Day, symbolically representing the now strong link with Britain. I think it showcased our loyalty to the British Empire. The war effected New Zealand as it gave them a role, a form of pride as it was their first great conflict and their involvement contributed to the Allies victory.
But there was a small downside after the Gallipoli campaign. Before the campaign, New Zealanders were proud to be apart of the British Empire, and were confident in their authority and eager to fight for them. But the Gallipoli Campaign shook the confidence of some New Zealanders. I think that's because NZ had been dragged in to war due to our allegiance and it was our 'duty' to the Empire, and lost a great number of men and women because of them and their judgement. |
national demand for a day of remembrance |
New Zealand soldiers participation in World War One and especially in Gallipoli had been felt in the hearts of the citizens. On 30th April 1915, when the news of the Gallipoli landing reached New Zealand, a half-day holiday was declared and services were held. People were eagerly reading casualty lists and newspapers that were praising the heroism of New Zealand soldiers. This was just the start of how much WW1 affected New Zealand society.
A year later in 1916, New Zealanders all over the country demanded a permanent form of remembrance on the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and so on the 6th of April 1916 a half-day holiday was announced for the 25th of April. World War One affected New Zealand in such a way that it brought the nation together to find a way to honour the brave and fallen soldiers, and those actions resulted in an event that is recognised a century later on a great scale. This newspaper fragment shows New Zealand's support at the time of WW1 and stating even though they failed the soldiers gave it their best, and "have covered themselves with undying fame'. |
provoked nAtionAlism And pride
World War One affected New Zealand society as it created a sense of pride and nationalism, bringing the country together. New Zealand's participation in the war, especially Gallipoli made the country feel that they had a role as a nation as it was their first great conflict.
The fact that New Zealand participated and sent over a great number of men who fought and died for their country gave New Zealand great pride. It gave New Zealanders pride as the soldiers showed great heroism because they sacrificed their lives by going to fight. For the duration of World War One, and even few years after the war was all the rage. In Newspapers, bulletin boards, letters. WW1 affected NZ in such a way that citizens wanted to know what was happening. Even a century later New Zealand soldiers bravery is praised and celebrated. |
"Consciously or not, Gallipoli has etched its mark. Although the veterans remained in many ways a race apart, living for something they saw in their past, part of their experience eventually flowed through and was shared by New Zealand at large." |
Even when the Gallipoli campaign failed, this evoked the greatest amount of respect from New Zealanders and enhanced its sanctity for many. People of NZ admired the soldiers for their bravery in the face of war and sacrifice. There may've been no victory and a great number of lives were lost but there was a victory in the spirit of the country knowing that their men fought a great fight. I suppose that this praise and pride was a way of showing solace and sympathy for friends and family of those who died.
It brought the nation together as we all shared praised and admiration for those who fell who them, for us. New Zealanders were able to connect with each other by showing their gratitude for the soldiers and nurses that were sent over and had to endure such conditions. New Zealand's participation in The Great War still affects the nation to this day. This year, 2015, New Zealand released its first coloured coin in honour of the Anzac landings. It's also the first coin in the world to use technology that could imprint vibrant, high resolution and durable colour. The fact that this great historic mark was created to pay tribute to New Zealand soldiers is self-explanatory in its importance. Even at an Anzac day ceremony in 2014, the famous NZ film-maker Sir Peter Jackson replicated 1914 uniforms for the soldiers to wear to honour the fallen in front of thousands of people. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning |
inspired literAture And ArtWorld War One's connection to New Zealand was so great that is inspired many New Zealanders literature and art side. It inspired novels, history books, personal memoirs and plays like Alexander Aitken's Gallipoli to the Somme, and Maurice Shadbolt's play Once On Chunuk Bair.
A series of paintings named Simpson and the Donkey by Horace MIllichamp Moore-Jones which is paintings based on what the artist saw in WW1. One of these paintings achieved mythic status and the artists work is has been auctioned off at around $200,000. So artwork based on World War One is incredibly valued to New Zealanders and Australians. It even stirred great works of poetry, paying tribute to those who had fallen for our country. An example is shown in the block quote, which is saying that they will always be remembered, and by saying the fallen they will be remembered as the stars are known to the night, I feel as if this poem is immortalising them, as are any other form of artwork or literature. A form of immortality. |
My conclusion from these pieces of evidence from WW1 Impact is that the strong impact that World War One had on New Zealand society during its time has not only been maintained decades after the conflict but has only grown stronger. I believe that it has shaped our national identity today to be secure and proud because our citizens have put in so much praise and admiration into the NZ soldiers that were sent off to World War One to fight and sacrifice their well-being for the future we now have.