Fast Facts - New Zealand: The First World War

Auckland War Memorial Museum

30 Jun 201401:45

Summary

TLDRWorld War 1, a political power struggle, saw New Zealand join as subjects of the British Empire. Thousands of Kiwi men volunteered, with nearly 50% of military-age men serving in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. The first mission was to capture German-controlled Samoa, followed by battles from Gallipoli to the Middle East. Over 2,500 Maori and Pacific Islanders fought alongside, and 500 women served as nurses. The war ended on November 11, 1918, with 18,500 New Zealand soldiers dead and 40,000 wounded. ANZAC Day commemorates their service.

Takeaways

🌐 World War 1 was a global conflict arising from political tensions and power struggles.
🏰 The main factions were the Allies and the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.
📅 On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war, marking the beginning of New Zealand's involvement in the war.
🇳🇿 New Zealand joined the war as part of the British Empire, with its citizens volunteering out of a sense of pride and duty.
👥 Nearly 50 percent of New Zealand's military-age men served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.
🏝️ The first military action for New Zealand was to capture German-controlled Samoa, which was achieved without resistance.
🛫 Traveling to Egypt for training was a new experience for many Kiwi soldiers, as it was their first time overseas.
👮‍♂️ Over 2,500 Maori and Pacific Islanders served alongside the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
👩‍⚕️ In addition to men, 500 women served as nurses, with 10 losing their lives when their ship was sunk by a German U-boat.
🔥 New Zealand soldiers fought in numerous battles across different fronts, including Gallipoli, the Western Front, and the Middle East.
🕊️ The war ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, after five years of fighting.
🕯️ By the end of the war, 18,500 New Zealand soldiers had died, and at least 40,000 more were wounded.
💐 ANZAC Day commemorates and honors the service and sacrifice of those who served in the war.

Q & A

What was the main cause of World War 1?
-World War 1 was a result of a political power struggle, with the Allies on one side and the Central Powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, on the other.
When did Britain declare war, and how did New Zealand join the war?
-Britain declared war on the 4th of August 1914. New Zealand joined the war not as an independent country but as proud subjects of the British Empire.
What was New Zealand's first role in World War 1?
-New Zealand's first role in the war was to capture German-controlled Samoa, which was achieved with the German governor surrendering with no resistance.
What was significant about the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces' participation in the war?
-Incredibly, almost 50 percent of men of military age served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, indicating a high level of involvement from the population.
Did only men serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during World War 1?
-No, over 2 and a half thousand Maori and Pacific Islanders served alongside the men, and 500 women served as nurses.
What tragic event occurred involving the nurses during World War 1?
-Ten nurses paid the ultimate sacrifice when their ship was sunk by a German U-boat.
In which regions did New Zealand soldiers fight during World War 1?
-New Zealand soldiers fought in battles from Gallipoli to the Western Front and the Middle East.
When did World War 1 officially end?
-World War 1 ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
What was the casualty count for New Zealand soldiers by the end of World War 1?
-By the end of the war, 18,500 New Zealand soldiers had died, and at least another 40,000 were wounded.
What is the purpose of Anzac Day?
-Anzac Day honors those who served in war, commemorating their sacrifices and service.
Why was it significant for Kiwi soldiers to travel to Egypt for training camps?
-Traveling to Egypt for training camps was often the first time the Kiwi soldiers had been overseas, indicating the scale of the adventure they were embarking on.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 World War 1: The Struggle and New Zealand's Involvement

This paragraph outlines the context of World War 1, highlighting the political power struggle that led to the conflict. It emphasizes the division into two main factions: the Allies and the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The narrative focuses on New Zealand's entry into the war as a subject of the British Empire and not as an independent nation. It details the initial military engagement in capturing German-controlled Samoa, which was achieved with minimal resistance. The paragraph also touches on the experiences of New Zealand soldiers, many of whom were overseas for the first time, and the significant participation of Maori and Pacific Islanders in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The role of women as nurses during the war is acknowledged, with a poignant note on the loss of ten due to a German U-boat attack. The summary concludes with the mention of the war's end and the heavy toll on New Zealand, with thousands of soldiers dead and wounded, and the importance of Anzac Day in honoring those who served.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡World War 1

World War 1, also known as the Great War, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's major powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The war had profound impacts on the political map of Europe and the world, leading to the collapse of empires and the establishment of new nations. In the script, it is mentioned as the central event that New Zealand and other countries were involved in, shaping the historical context of the video's narrative.

💡Allies

The Allies were an association of countries that opposed the Central Powers during World War 1. The major Allies included the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, among others. They were united by their opposition to the policies and territorial ambitions of the Central Powers. In the script, the Allies are mentioned as one of the two main factions in the war, highlighting the global nature of the conflict.

💡Central Powers

The Central Powers were a group of countries that opposed the Allies during World War 1, primarily consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. They were characterized by their military and political alliance, which was a response to the growing power of the Allies. The script mentions the Central Powers as the opposing side to the Allies, emphasizing the divided nature of the global conflict.

💡New Zealand Expeditionary Force

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the military formation that represented New Zealand's contribution to the Allied war effort during World War 1. It was composed of volunteers who believed they were embarking on a significant adventure. The script highlights the role of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in capturing German-controlled Samoa and participating in various battles, illustrating New Zealand's active involvement in the war.

💡Gallipoli

Gallipoli refers to the Gallipoli Campaign, a series of battles during World War 1 in which the Allies attempted to seize control of the Dardanelles Strait from the Ottoman Empire. It was a significant military campaign that resulted in heavy casualties and ultimately ended in failure for the Allies. In the script, Gallipoli is mentioned as one of the battlefronts where New Zealand soldiers fought, indicating the scope of their involvement in the war.

💡Western Front

The Western Front was the main theater of war during World War 1 where the Allies and the Central Powers were in a stalemate for much of the conflict. It was characterized by trench warfare and resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The script mentions the Western Front as one of the areas where New Zealand soldiers fought, underlining the harsh conditions of the war.

💡Middle East

The Middle East was a significant theater of operations during World War 1, with battles taking place in regions such as modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. It was a strategic area due to its geographical location and resources. The script refers to the Middle East as another region where New Zealand soldiers saw action, showcasing the global reach of the war.

💡Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. It is particularly associated with the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during World War 1. The script concludes with a mention of Anzac Day, honoring those who served in the war, which ties the historical events to the present-day commemoration of their service.

💡Maori and Pacific Islanders

The Maori and Pacific Islanders are indigenous peoples of New Zealand and the Pacific region, respectively. Over 2,500 of these individuals served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during World War 1, contributing significantly to the war effort. The script highlights their participation, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds of those who served in the conflict.

💡Nurses

Nurses played a crucial role in World War 1, providing medical care to wounded soldiers on the battlefield and in hospitals. The script mentions that 500 women served as nurses, including 10 who lost their lives when their ship was sunk by a German U-boat. This emphasizes the vital contribution of medical personnel to the war effort and the risks they faced.

💡Armistice

The Armistice of 11 November 1918 marked the end of fighting in World War 1. It was a significant moment that brought an end to the conflict, with the agreement being signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The script refers to this moment to signify the conclusion of the war, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served.

Highlights

World War 1 was triggered by political power struggles.

The conflict involved two main factions: the Allies and the Central Powers.

The Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

Britain declared war on Germany on the 4th of August 1914.

New Zealand joined the war as part of the British Empire, not as an independent nation.

Thousands of New Zealand men volunteered for what they believed was a grand adventure.

Nearly 50 percent of New Zealand's military-age men served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

The initial New Zealand military objective was to capture German-controlled Samoa.

The German governor in Samoa surrendered without resistance.

New Zealand soldiers traveled to Egypt for training, marking many Kiwis' first overseas experience.

Over 2,500 Maori and Pacific Islanders served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

In addition to men, 500 women served as nurses during the war.

Ten New Zealand nurses died when their ship was sunk by a German U-boat.

New Zealand soldiers fought in various battles across Gallipoli, the Western Front, and the Middle East.

World War 1 ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

By the end of the war, 18,500 New Zealand soldiers had died, and at least 40,000 were wounded.

ANZAC Day commemorates and honors those who served in the war.