Australia's and Canada's Wars, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 Some Reflections

Abstract

Australia's and Canada's world war historiographies are virtually mutually exclusive nationalist discourses, yet each nation fought as part of the same Commonwealth and alliance. Each invented a similar myth about the potency of its warriors. Each carefully gauged its level of participation, agonizing especially over military conscription. Each contributed to the global strategic outcome in World War II in its own distinctive way. And each found a different place for war in its celebration of nationhood. The contrasts are not insignificant, but on closer examination they are outweighed by the similarities.