David G correct again, just as well we have people who think more than the end of their nose, unfortunately most do not, all wars are created for self interest by the war machine elite and Governments, kill off young men from lower ranks of society but definately not from the upper echolon, they are alwayus behind the lines way back.
A certain family with medals all over their chest at variuos functions have always been in the front line, that is why they have the medals, what bull, token only and being a member of that particular family,
Annoying when I see people like Abbott, never eever been to war, sitting in the front church pews or elsewhere shedding crocodile tears for the fallen soldiers, like WW1 the plebs are sent by these people to war with all sorts of enticements like King and Country, or if not receive a white feather for not joining, how stupid were these young lads.
Yes! we are going to be fed many untruths of WW1 by the Government and media, get the young people in a war like mind for any future wars that may eventuate, lets hope they look beyond their nose

continued

Even that was really an apologia for what really happened. We now have a brilliant new book by Gerry Docherty and James MacGregor, Hidden History: The Secret Origins of the First World War (2014). In a detailed analysis relying on previously suppressed documents among other sources, they show that the policies that lead inevitably to war were commenced by the British in the 1890s. There were major policy decisions taken in the succeeding 20+ years that made a war inevitable. A war, it should be noted, that the British wanted and had long planned for. The reason? Britain was concerned that Germany's growing military and economic hegemony in Europe would lead to a challenge to the British Empire's world hegemony.

Australia, along with other outposts of Empire, were seen as cannon fodder in pursuit of these wider geopolitical aims. Thus has it ever been. We see many contemporary examples, the major difference being that we now serve the American empire rather than the British. Our role remains the same.

I urge people to read Docherty and MacGregor's book. It won't change the minds of the usual suspects on this site, but many will benefit from exposure to real history rather than comfortable myths.

Bruce HAIGH'S left-leaning attitudes are palpable. Apparently he's a retired Army Officer, if so he would be a barrel of laughs in the Mess during 'Dining-In' nights, with his peculiar form of Socialist dogma he persists in espousing.

I would have no idea what single event or events assisted in forming the Australian Nation or our unique character. Neither does Bruce HAIGH. It may have been the course of WW l, even the Anglo Boer War ? Certainly WW l was most polarising in terms of opinion, particularly when Mr Wm. HUGHES wanted to introduce conscription, in order to proliferate even higher numbers of ANZAC troops, already deployed to the Western Front.

Anyway, Mr HAIGH though probably well educated, would have little real idea what single event precipitated the actual 'gaining of maturity', for the fledgling Australian Nation. Probably because he's so insensitive to the opinions of others, and he's so influenced by his own, rather overt Socialist perspectives, he does not possess the requisite degree of impartiality, in order to do justice to this particular subject.

I marvel at just how low progressives are willing to stoop for a bit of Abbott bashing. This article is right down there, lower than a snake's belly.

What a sad waste of intellect.

Bruce Haigh is correct . Australian involvement in WW1 should be remembered ,not as the birth of Australia , but as the beginning of Australian subservience to foreign " great and powerful friends " , firstly Britain and then the USA .

Undoubtedly , many Australian servicemen fought and died heroically . Many who volunteered did so because they were afraid not to volunteer , and so be given the white feather . Others did so , out of misguided allegiance to Britain , or to support their mates who volunteered .

Very few would have had a true appreciation of the issues about which the European powers were fighting .

War commemoration is a major industry . Patriotism is often the last refuge of the scoundrel [ to quote Dr Samuel Johnson ] . Politicians and the media have a vested interest in encouraging this furphy that WW1 was the birth of this nation .

James O'Neill - I was pondering over you plantagent reference - what did that mean? - when you came up with this howler.. "There were major policy decisions taken in the succeeding 20+ years that made a war inevitable. A war, it should be noted, that the British wanted and had long planned for."

James, that's nonsense. The Brits had nothing to do with the war starting, and there's no indication of any kind that they wanted it. They simply had no part in the diplomatic argy bargy before hand, except to try to stop it.. and did not get involved until the Germans went into Belgium. In any case, on land, for the first two years or so until the Somme offensive, were bit players.. Their fleet dominated all, but the army was small by European standards. Best you chuck away that book you cite and find something else to read..