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Questions and Answers
How did people at home follow the war's progress?
What was the initial reaction to the war among young men?
Why did the government introduce conscription in 1916?
What was the significance of 1917 for many New Zealanders?
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How did the government try to boost morale during the war?
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What was the effect of the Battle of Passchendaele on morale?
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How many men had volunteered to fight within four days of the recruitment beginning?
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What percentage of soldiers would never return home?
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What did women contribute to the war effort?
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What was the initial expectation of the soldiers about the war's duration?
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Study Notes
Life at Home During WWI
- People at home closely followed the war's progress through censored newspaper articles, letters, and postcards from soldiers, and lists of daily casualties.
- Children were directly affected by the war, with many fathers, brothers, uncles, and cousins serving overseas as soldiers.
- One in five of these soldiers would never return home.
Initial Enthusiasm and Reality
- In the beginning, many people, especially young men, were excited about the war, seeing it as a great adventure.
- Within four days, 14,000 men volunteered to fight, exceeding the government's initial offer of 8,000.
- Most people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but it dragged on.
Turning Point: 1917
- The war reached a stalemate, and the number of men eager to fight decreased significantly.
- The government introduced conscription in 1916.
- The devastating Battle of Passchendaele, where over 800 New Zealanders died in a single day, marked a turning point in morale for both soldiers and civilians.
Government Propaganda and Civic Duty
- The government encouraged people to stay positive about the war and believe that sacrifices were justified.
- Women were involved in fundraising and organizing care parcels for soldiers.
- Children were expected to be good, helpful, and see themselves as soldiers of the British Empire, contributing to the war effort.
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Description
How people at home followed the war's progress, read censored news, and received letters from soldiers.
