Significance
The battle of Gallipoli played a significant role for New Zealanders. Despite the horrific number of losses in the battle of Gallipoli, there was a good outcome for New Zealand. New Zealand fostered a sense of national identity and self worth which made New Zealand a proud and independant country. The war affected New Zealand's status in the world and formed a partnership within the empire. And lastly, the economy from the war had been enhanced from their partnership with Britain.
"The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit." - Departments of Veterans' Affairs
"Although Anzac Day, the anniversary of the first day of conflict, does not mark a military triumph, it does remind us of a very important episode in New Zealand's history. Great suffering was caused to a small country by the loss of so many of its young men. But the Gallipoli campaign showcased attitudes and attributes - bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity, loyalty to King and comrades - that helped New Zealand define itself as a nation, even as it fought unquestioningly on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire." - (Original file from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero. Ref D2410)
"The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit." - Departments of Veterans' Affairs
"Although Anzac Day, the anniversary of the first day of conflict, does not mark a military triumph, it does remind us of a very important episode in New Zealand's history. Great suffering was caused to a small country by the loss of so many of its young men. But the Gallipoli campaign showcased attitudes and attributes - bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity, loyalty to King and comrades - that helped New Zealand define itself as a nation, even as it fought unquestioningly on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire." - (Original file from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero. Ref D2410)
National Identity
A sense of national identity was formed during and after the Battle of Gallipoli. New Zealanders realised that they were their own individual country with unique traits that was unlike Britain. Before the campaign, New Zealanders thought of themselves as the Britain of the South.
Despite the horrific number of losses, the battle that New Zealand soldiers sacraficed their lives for helped their nation grow and come to life. The battle of Gallipoli was New Zealand's first battle that contributed to the Great War. During and after the battle, New Zealand discovered that they were their own individual country and found their own self worth. They realised they were not like the British they once thought they were. New Zealand soldiers discovered their own attributes that defined their nation as a whole therefore this event is clearly significant to New Zealand.
ANZAC Day was established in 1916 as a commemoration to the fallen New Zealand soldiers who sacraficed their lives for Britain and their country. Although New Zealand soldiers died in vain and the campaign was a failure, ANZAC day was created to remember the event that stirred up New Zealand's nation to rise. It was to remind the bravery, courageousness and loyalty New Zealand soliders presented during the battle of Gallipoli. In which these attributes helped define New Zealand nation and worldwide.
As years go by, ANZAC Day became a day to remember those who have served for Australia and New Zealand in the war. But more importantly, it still remains the day to show respect for the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who landed at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. It is to remember their endurance, courage and sacrifice.
"Perhaps the most lasting impact of the war was on New Zealand’s sense of itself. A New Zealand identity had been emphasised during the war, but one within the imperial family. New Zealanders compared themselves with British and others and did not find themselves wanting. Most New Zealanders took pride in the fact that they had done their bit – even overdone it – in the war. In their minds, they had stood the greatest test to confront them so far." Ian McGIbbon, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
"After Gallipoli, New Zealand had a greater confidence in its distinct identity, and a greater pride in the international contribution it could make. And the mutual respect earned during the fighting formed the basis of the close ties with Australia that continue today." - (Original file from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero. Ref D2410)
"Some anticipated a great adventure but found the reality very different. Being so far from home made these New Zealanders very aware of who they were and where they were from. In battle they were able to compare themselves with men from other nations. Out of this, many have argued, came a sense of a separate identity, and many New Zealand soldiers began to refer to themselves as ‘Kiwis’." (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/first-world-war-overview/introduction)
Despite the horrific number of losses, the battle that New Zealand soldiers sacraficed their lives for helped their nation grow and come to life. The battle of Gallipoli was New Zealand's first battle that contributed to the Great War. During and after the battle, New Zealand discovered that they were their own individual country and found their own self worth. They realised they were not like the British they once thought they were. New Zealand soldiers discovered their own attributes that defined their nation as a whole therefore this event is clearly significant to New Zealand.
ANZAC Day was established in 1916 as a commemoration to the fallen New Zealand soldiers who sacraficed their lives for Britain and their country. Although New Zealand soldiers died in vain and the campaign was a failure, ANZAC day was created to remember the event that stirred up New Zealand's nation to rise. It was to remind the bravery, courageousness and loyalty New Zealand soliders presented during the battle of Gallipoli. In which these attributes helped define New Zealand nation and worldwide.
As years go by, ANZAC Day became a day to remember those who have served for Australia and New Zealand in the war. But more importantly, it still remains the day to show respect for the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who landed at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915. It is to remember their endurance, courage and sacrifice.
"Perhaps the most lasting impact of the war was on New Zealand’s sense of itself. A New Zealand identity had been emphasised during the war, but one within the imperial family. New Zealanders compared themselves with British and others and did not find themselves wanting. Most New Zealanders took pride in the fact that they had done their bit – even overdone it – in the war. In their minds, they had stood the greatest test to confront them so far." Ian McGIbbon, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
"After Gallipoli, New Zealand had a greater confidence in its distinct identity, and a greater pride in the international contribution it could make. And the mutual respect earned during the fighting formed the basis of the close ties with Australia that continue today." - (Original file from Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero. Ref D2410)
"Some anticipated a great adventure but found the reality very different. Being so far from home made these New Zealanders very aware of who they were and where they were from. In battle they were able to compare themselves with men from other nations. Out of this, many have argued, came a sense of a separate identity, and many New Zealand soldiers began to refer to themselves as ‘Kiwis’." (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/first-world-war-overview/introduction)
These illustrations above were distributed over the country on ANZAC Day in memory of the sacrifice of New Zealand soldiers made for their empire and to those who did not return home. The illustrations show the significance in New Zealand's involvement by dedicating them to the fallen soldiers which displays the nation's gratitude for their sacrifice.
In the photo on the left, the illustration of New Zealand and Australia's national figures are shown together by the memorial graves paying their respects to the soldiers who died for their country. "TO OUR HEROES WHO FOUGHT FOR THE EMPIRE AND FELL AT ANZAC" shows New Zealand's significance in the Battle of Gallipoli because their contribution to the Empire played a big role in the battle even though the campaign was big failure. It is also significant because New Zealand's contribution formed a unity and displayed acts of bravery, courage and loyalty to their country and the empire which therefore helped form a sense of national identity and independence.
In the photo on the right, it shows a New Zealand and Australian soldier in their uniform standing side by side holding up their national flag. "The Australian and New Zealand troops have indeed proved themselves worth sons of the Empire" This is another example of New Zealand's significance in the battle. With New Zealand's contribution and loyalty to the Empire, they became worthy to be apart it. This was very important for New Zealanders as they looked up to the Empire hence why they called themselves "Britain of the South". This was a very proud moment for New Zealanders.
"The landing will be made good by the help if god and the navy. The positions will be stormed and the war brought one step nearer to a Glorious close. 'Remember', said Lord Kitchener when bidding adieu to your Commander, 'when once you set foot upon the Gallipoli peninsula you must fight the thing through to a finish.' The while world will be watch our progress. Let us prove ourselves worthy of the great feat of arms entrusted to us. - Ian Hamilton. Letters from Gallipoli edited by Glyn Harper.
"In the wider story of the First World War, the Gallipoli campaign made no large mark. The number of dead, although horrific, pales in comparison with the death toll in France and Belgium during the war. However, for New Zealand, along with Australia and Turkey, the Gallipoli campaign is often claimed to have played an important part in fostering a sense of national identity." (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-gallipoli-campaign/)
In the photo on the left, the illustration of New Zealand and Australia's national figures are shown together by the memorial graves paying their respects to the soldiers who died for their country. "TO OUR HEROES WHO FOUGHT FOR THE EMPIRE AND FELL AT ANZAC" shows New Zealand's significance in the Battle of Gallipoli because their contribution to the Empire played a big role in the battle even though the campaign was big failure. It is also significant because New Zealand's contribution formed a unity and displayed acts of bravery, courage and loyalty to their country and the empire which therefore helped form a sense of national identity and independence.
In the photo on the right, it shows a New Zealand and Australian soldier in their uniform standing side by side holding up their national flag. "The Australian and New Zealand troops have indeed proved themselves worth sons of the Empire" This is another example of New Zealand's significance in the battle. With New Zealand's contribution and loyalty to the Empire, they became worthy to be apart it. This was very important for New Zealanders as they looked up to the Empire hence why they called themselves "Britain of the South". This was a very proud moment for New Zealanders.
"The landing will be made good by the help if god and the navy. The positions will be stormed and the war brought one step nearer to a Glorious close. 'Remember', said Lord Kitchener when bidding adieu to your Commander, 'when once you set foot upon the Gallipoli peninsula you must fight the thing through to a finish.' The while world will be watch our progress. Let us prove ourselves worthy of the great feat of arms entrusted to us. - Ian Hamilton. Letters from Gallipoli edited by Glyn Harper.
"In the wider story of the First World War, the Gallipoli campaign made no large mark. The number of dead, although horrific, pales in comparison with the death toll in France and Belgium during the war. However, for New Zealand, along with Australia and Turkey, the Gallipoli campaign is often claimed to have played an important part in fostering a sense of national identity." (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-gallipoli-campaign/)
International Status
"An outstanding fact was the marvelous hardihood, tenacity and reckless courage of the Australians and New Zealanders, but we will not forget the part played by a division of the new English Army."
The Battle of Gallipoli heightened New Zealand status worldwide. The sacrifice of New Zealand soldiers for their empire was admired by many. New Zealand's involvement made them well known in the world and created a stronger partnership within the empire.
In 1919, New Zealand signed the Treaty of Versailles as a constituent part of the British Empire Delegation. New Zealand also joined the league of nations mainly to support to the British opinion. But more importantly, they became a member in their own right which was a significant step to strengthen New Zealand's independence furthermore.
The Battle of Gallipoli heightened New Zealand status worldwide. The sacrifice of New Zealand soldiers for their empire was admired by many. New Zealand's involvement made them well known in the world and created a stronger partnership within the empire.
In 1919, New Zealand signed the Treaty of Versailles as a constituent part of the British Empire Delegation. New Zealand also joined the league of nations mainly to support to the British opinion. But more importantly, they became a member in their own right which was a significant step to strengthen New Zealand's independence furthermore.
ANZAC Soldiers Did Not Die in Vain
During and shortly after the war, it seemed as if New Zealand's soldiers died in vain. The campaign was an absolute failure due to poor planning although it did help Britain and their empire grow stronger. However, this failure stirred New Zealand's mindset. The Gallipoli Campaign helped New Zealand emerge from their colonization to become a independent nation.
In this newspaper article on the left, King George sends a message to New Zealand and Australia reminding them that their soldiers did not die for nothing. Their sacrifice made their empire stronger and drawn their countries closer together therefore defines the significance in New Zealand's involvement in the Gallipoli Campaign. New Zealand view that their involvement and sacrifice in the campaign as a consequence for their empire. "May those who mourn their loss find comfort in the conviction that they did not die in vain, but that their sacrifice has drawn our peoples more closely together and added strength and glory to the empire" |