Life of a young ANZAC soldier - 1 - Why New Zealanders went to war

Summary

The transcript recounts the journey of a former teacher who volunteers to fight for the British Empire during World War I. It describes the fragile balance of power in Europe, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and the subsequent declarations of war that ignited the conflict. Motivated by patriotism and a sense of duty, the narrator reflects on their training in Egypt and the desire to prove themselves alongside British soldiers. As they prepare for the Gallipoli campaign, they express determination to contribute to the war effort and optimism about New Zealand's potential impact on the outcome.

Takeaways

• 🇬🇧 The speaker transitioned from being a teacher to a soldier amidst a global war.
• 🌍 The war's origins lie in a complex balance of power and alliances in Europe.
• 🔗 Major alliances included Russia, Serbia, France, and Britain on one side, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany on the other.
• 💥 The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June was the catalyst for the war.
• ⚔️ The resulting declarations of war escalated into a global conflict, leading to a World War.
• 🌏 Countries across the British Empire, including New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, joined the fight.
• 🇳🇿 The speaker expresses a sense of patriotism and duty to prove New Zealand's worth.
• 💪 A willingness to sacrifice for the British Empire is highlighted as a motivating factor.
• 🏺 The speaker's training in Egypt included experiences like seeing the pyramids and riding camels.
• 🛡️ The campaign's objective is to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and potentially knock the Turks out of the war.

Q & A

What was the speaker's profession before joining the military?

The speaker was a teacher before becoming a soldier.

What major event triggered the outbreak of World War I according to the speaker?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo was the event that triggered the war.

What two alliances are mentioned in the script?

The alliances mentioned are Russia, Serbia, France, and Britain on one side, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany on the other.

Why did the speaker decide to volunteer for military service?

The speaker felt a sense of patriotism and a desire for New Zealanders to prove themselves equal to the men from Britain.

How does the speaker describe their feelings about going to war?

The speaker expresses impatience and determination, feeling ready to answer the call of Britain despite initial fears of combat.

What was the training location mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker trained in Egypt for two months before heading to combat.

What strategic goal does the speaker mention regarding the Gallipoli Peninsula?

The goal is to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Dardanelles straits to potentially knock the Turks out of the war and open supply routes to Russia.

What sentiments does the speaker express about New Zealand's involvement in the war?

The speaker believes that this could be New Zealand's finest hour and expresses a strong commitment to the cause.

How does the speaker reflect on their life before the war?

The speaker mentions that they had spent their whole life teaching about the ancient world and had never traveled outside of New Zealand before the war.

What is the significance of the phrase 'come good oil she New Zealand' mentioned by the speaker?

This phrase reflects New Zealand's readiness to make sacrifices to protect its heritage and contribute to the British Empire's efforts in the war.