A Helping HandShould the European colonies have helped

their ruling countries in WW1? Why or why not?

List 3 reasons why the colonies joined the war effort.

13.3 – A Global Conflict

The Colonies Join

Australia and New Zealand fight at the battle of Gallipoli

India provides 1.3 million troops and labor

Battles are fought in Africa, between colonies

Why did the colonies fight?

1) Because they were forced to join the army or provide supplies

2) Because they were looking to benefit after the war

3) Because they felt a sense of loyalty or moral obligation

In Africa

West Africans were recruited to do hard labor

Served as carriers for the army, brought supplies to hard to reach areas

Taken from their homes without notice, and poorly treated

"We came back one night from our yam farm. The chief called us and handed us over to a government messenger. I didn't know where we were going, but the chief and the messenger said that the white man had sent for us and we must go. After three days we reached the white man's compound…

Then he told us we were going to the Great War to help the king's soldiers who were preventing the Germans coming to our country and burning it. We left and marched far into the bush. The government police led the way and allowed no man to stop behind." - A first-hand account of what it was like to be recruited. As told by No.1475, a carrier who was recruited in 1914.

In India

Some volunteer to join, but Indian officials must meet a troop quota to keep their jobs

Troops sent to Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and Africa to fight

Muslims in India have to choose between supporting the Muslim Ottomans or the British

From Australia & New Zealand

Over 320,000 troops volunteer to join the British Army

Mixed motives: “to serve King and Empire, to have an adventure, to see the world, to do the right thing.”

Battle of Gallipoli

British attack aimed at breaking the stalemate

British would attack the Ottoman troops on the peninsula at Gallipoli, have a trade route to Russia

Battle is a MAJOR FAILURE

Hope for the Future

Gandhi said, “If we would improve our status through the help and cooperation of the British, it was our duty to win their help by standing by them in their hour of need.”

India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa all hoped that after the war, they would get more freedom

They wanted the British to grant them independence after their efforts

Reality for the Colonies

Colonial casualties are not as high as European casualties

Colonies have to pay for the cost of the war

Very little recognition of colonial troops and their contribution

Canada $91,750,000

New Zealand $17,585,000

Australia $36,000,000

South Africa $10,000,000

Newfoundland $3,000,000

India $3,600,000

Short Response Question

What was the contribution of colonial armies in World War I? How did people from the colonies feel about helping the European powers? How did the Europeans view their colonies’ efforts?