Professor Fujikawafs Western History Seminar (3rd Class, Wednesday)
20 December 2006, Presenter: Hiroshi Tsuda (PhD student)
Nationalism and Commemoration of the World Wars in the British Empire in a Comparative Perspective
@1. Introduction: What did I do in Australia?
(1) Academic Phase: In Melbourne
Historicising Whiteness, a conference at the University of Melbourne
(2) Sight-seeing Phase: In Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney
Days of wine: The Barossa and Hunter Valley
Days of thinking: war memorials in Australia
@2. Forging the nation: Australia and the First World War
(1) Patriotism and Sacrifice
Sentiments of solidarity with Britain (ex. Prime Minister Andrew Fisher)
Vast casualties: 417,000 recruited and 60,000 dead (out of a 5 million population)
(2) Gallipoli campaign and ANZAC
Formation of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)
Gallipoli campaign as ebaptism of firef and creation of the Anzac legend
(3) War commemoration in interwar years
Anzac Day as the national holiday (cf. 14 July in France and 4 July in America)
@3. eAll Empire in Silencef: Cases in Britain and Canada
(1) Britain
Establishment of 11 November as eArmistice Dayf
Two Minutes Silence, Poppy Appeal by the British Legion
Ex-servicemenfs connection through the British Empire Service League
(2) Canada
Image of the eJust warf (ex. Jonathan Vancefs Death So Noble)
Foundation of the Canadian Legion and Sir Douglas Haigfs initiative
Armistice Day, Thanksgiving Day and Remembrance Day
@4. Conclusion: The British Empire and her imperial commemorative sphere
Memory of the First World War and British Imperial identity
Discursive transformation after the Second World War and Multiculturalism
Discussion (20 December 2006, Presenter: Hiroshi Tsuda)
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@Edited by Keita Morimoto
Q1. Can you point any common character at ceremony in countries of British Empire?
A1. The way of ceremony is very common through British Empire. Design of war memorial is very similar.
Q2. How do you think about hospitality for tourist in Australia?
A2. In general, Australian people are very friendly. Prices are very lower than in Switzerland. Man can enjoy sightseeing.
Q3. Aboriginals couldnft become soldiers in WWI. How about in WWII?
A3. The government officially refused enlistment of the people. But in fact the government needed help from indigenous especially Papua New Guinea and Borneo. Australian people were more urgently as WWI.
Q4. Why did people make the Anzac Day?
A4. Commonwealth of Australia was made established at 1. January 1901. Process of making their national commonwealth was simply in terms low system not like French Revolution. Australian people wanted to create event for their nationfs birth. So the experience of Anzac was welcomed.
Q5. How about case in New Zealand?
A5. New Zealand has also Anzac tradition as in Australia. There are not many historical books on the tradition. But this case is very crucial for my thesis compare with in Australia. There were very strong tie between Australia and New Zealand through Anzac tradition.
Q6. Which (WWII or WWI) is more impressive for Australian people?
A6. Anzac tradition continues to influence at now. WWII gradually dominated directly people as WWI. But WWI was recruited from very many people. The impact was very huge. Itfs difficult answer.