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Gallipoli campaign
Apr-Dec 1915 NZ + Aus forces (known as Anzacs) played important role in Gallipoli campaign - an attempted invasion of Turkey -
Conscription introduced in New Zealand (1916) + Canada (1917)
After initially around 4000 First Nations people in Canada volunteered (50 won medals of bravery) + 1000 indigenous Australians + 2500 Māori -- enthusiasm dried up after heavy losses in 1915 - conscription introduced -
Presidents of Dominions + Indian representatives joined war cabinet
'Imperial war cabinet' symbolised the union of British Empire in face of war
But... only held 2 sessions and mostly represented white + elite opinion + British dominated proceedings -
Vimy Ridge
Canadians forces applauded for their bravery in battle of Vimy Ridge in Northern France (Apr 1917)- Canada supplied Britain with munitions (1/3 of munitions used by British Army in France from 1917 -1918) + wheat
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India contributed £100 mill to war effort
- 1.3 mill service men enlisted/conscription was never introduced in India In recognition of contribution - Edwin Montagu (Secretary of State for India) promised more 'responsible' self-gov for India that included democratic representation for ordinary Indians in Aug 1917
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Treaty of Versailles
Stripped Germany of former colonies -- 'mandates' administered for the League of Nations by specific allied powers
Guiding principle = 'self-determination' but... US, Fr + UK leadership rejected proposal from Japanese gov to include clause about racial equality + argued mandates were politically and economically undeveloped with uneducated populations Mandate system:
A - quite developed
B - -
Rejection of Conscription
French Canadians in Quebec regarded war as pro-British affair + Mar 1918 = anti-conscription protest riots in Quebec city (+Australians rejected conscription x2 in referendums - Oct 1916 + Dec 1917) -
1st Pan-African Conference
Held in France in 1919
Experience of war proved formative for independence movements