Year 9 Humanities

Conscription in Australia

Y9 Humanities students investigated the conscription debate which occurred 1916-1917, during World War One.

Conscription in Australia was a highly contentious and divisive issue. The Australian government at the time, led by Prime Minister Billy Hughes, proposed conscription to address the shortages faced by the Australian Imperial Force on the Western Front. Two referendums were held on the issue, one in 1916 and another in 1917.

Proponents of conscription argued that it was necessary to support the war effort and fulfill Australia’s commitment to the British Empire. They believed that voluntary enlistment was insufficient to meet the demands of the war and that conscription would ensure equality of sacrifice among Australians.

Opponents of conscription, including many trade unions, socialists and members of the Labor Party, contended that it was an infringement on individual freedoms and could lead to class-based inequalities. They feared that conscription would disproportionately affect the working class and rural populations. There were also concerns about the impact on families and the economy, as well as the moral implications of forcing individuals to fight.

Both referendums resulted in narrow defeats for the pro-conscription side, reflecting deep divisions within Australian society about Australia’s support for the war.

As part of their studies, students analysed examples of propaganda from the war years. Specifically, students examined contemporary posters articulating a range of opinions and considered the design elements that made these effective tools designed to persuade. Students then used their understanding, and the context of World War One, to create their own propaganda posters. 

Students were allocated a side of the conscription debate to defend and created a visually appealing propaganda poster. They needed to demonstrate consideration of relevant visual elements that influence an audience and write a statement of intent to support their work. They also wrote a summary of the conscription debate and its relevance to Australian history. 

Tristan Hill 

Head of Humanities