Australian War Memorial. AWM P0406.031. 1943, http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/awm-p0406031.

The image depicts several Australian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese during the Second World War. It illustrates the prisoners lining up to give their last respects to a colleague who had died during construction. The photograph provides sufficient information for understanding the implications of the conflicts on military personnel’s lives during and after WWII. As a primary visual source, the image is copyrighted by the Australian War Memorial, a government-funded agency mandated with preserving information relating to the country’s participation in the conflicts. Besides, the photograph’s event carries much weight in depicting the implications of WWII on soldiers and other military personnel. It also, though indirectly, exemplifies the impacts on families and communities. Focusing on WWII, the photograph provides reliable and valuable information for understanding the impacts of the conflicts on people’s lives.

Australian Government: Department of Veterans Affairs. “Great War Memories.” Anzac Portal, 2021, http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories-service/great-war-memories. The Great War Memories summarizes Australia’s participation in the United Kingdom’s war against Germany, which was part of WWI. The text also outlines plans by the Department of Veterans Affairs to collate and share the country’s experiences in service and military history to help connect and understand its impacts on the people. Understandably, the text outlines the number of Australians that participated in the conflict and the effects on people who remained at home. This augments its usefulness to the topic as it provides sufficient information for understanding the causes and effects of warfare in the country. The text is compiled and authored by Australia’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs, making it reliable as a secondary source of information. Thus, Australia’s participation in WWI is briefly described in the text providing readers and historians with background information on the conflict and potential impacts on the country’s population.

PART2: IMPACT ON AUSTRALIA

            Australia’s participation in the First and Second World Wars (between 1914 and 1945) resulted in immeasurable implications. A careful evaluation of primary and secondary sources provides immense insights into how the conflicts affected Australia’s population, economy, and relations. Although the country’s participation in the conflict was born out of necessity, historical sources’ scrutiny clarifies how the conflicts affected Australia. In this analysis, much emphasis is placed on numerous issues, such as economic growth, loss of lives, and population. The First and Second World Wars affected Australia’s population (veterans and civilians alike), national development and contributed to losses of lives.

            The conflicts resulted in the loss of lives for Australia’s soldiers and other military personnel. A photograph excepted from the government archives illustrates Australian prisoners of war paying their last respects to a colleague (Australian War Memorial). In this image, soldiers captured by the Japanese military were subjected to hard labor, with approximately one-third losing their lives (Australian War Memorial). Many lives were lost during the conflicts, not only for Australia but also for other countries active in the war. Although most of the casualties resulted from the battlefront, captured prisoners lost their lives after being subjected to hard labor. Such a military conflict was subject to such losses, resulting in psychological and social problems for remaining family members.

            The conflicts also impacted Australia’s population, both civilians and military personnel. The Great War Memories reveals that the number of Australians serving in military capacity surpassed 400,000 as of 1914, with over 50 percent of those being stationed overseas (Australian Government: Department of Veterans Affairs). With such numbers being separated from their families, psychological and social impacts on the population could not be avoided. The government has also stated that WWI had immeasurable implications on Australia and its citizens (Australian Government: Department of Veterans Affairs). The separation of people from their families, especially those stationed overseas, must have impacted family relations and social ties. Thus, the conflicts impacted Australia’s population through the alienation of families and loss of lives.

            Like most other nations, the 1914 to 1945 conflicts contributed to massive implications on Australia’s economic growth and development. The government reveals that most citizens back home experienced hardships associated with the wartime service (Australian Government: Department of Veterans Affairs). With people being stationed overseas and financial resources being directed into the conflict, other sectors of the economy and welfare received limited financial resources. Besides, most war prisoners never made it home, with some being subjected to hard labor and under unfavorable conditions (Australian War Memorial). The loss of lives reduced the financial stability for most households, augmenting the families’ economic challenges.

            The First and Second World War resulted in the loss of lives, impacted Australia’s population, and derailed economic development. The country’s participation in the conflicts interfered with people’s lives, economic performance for most sectors and resulted in most families losing their loved ones. Thus, the conflicts had immeasurable implications on Australia’s population, economic, and health.

Works Cited

Australian Government: Department of Veterans Affairs. “Great War Memories.” Anzac Portal, 2021, http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories-service/great-war-memories.

Australian War Memorial. AWM P0406.031. 1943, http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/awm-p0406031.