Anzac Legend Analysis

• Anzac Day (25 April) is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand which commemorates all who have served in global conflicts and efforts to maintain peace.

• Originally created to specifically honor Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served at the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I (1916).

• Anzac Spirit/Legend is a concept which revolves around the idea of Australian and New Zealand soldiers holding similar characteristics these being endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, larrikinism and mateship.

• The Anzac legend was developed from the idea that these admirable traits were displayed on the battlefield of World War I despite defeat in Gallipoli

• The Anzac Spirit is to show that these qualities were

This is demonstrated in phrases ‘slipping down every few steps, but only to struggle on again without a murmur.,courage and persistance shown by soldiers in Gallipoli which created the Anzac Legend, the phrase ‘My heart swelled’ illuminates the pride which the soldier felt for his country.

• The Anzac Legend shows that the ANZACs strongest characteristics were revealed in the most challenging of times (during Gallipoli Campaign).

• Australian and New Zealand soldiers are major groups in the Anzac Legend as the qualities described in the legend are said to be developed from their rural background, this can be narrowed down to young men of Anglo-Saxon religion. This excludes most woman and the Aboriginals of Australia.

• Anzac Day is celebrated today as it is important to honour the many who sacrificed their lives for the country, it is also a significant part of the identity of both nations as the soldiers of Gallipoli left a powerful legacy.

• Anzac Day was originally was created to commemorate the soldiers who served and died at the Gallipoli Campaign and appreciate how heavily it impacted both

It has also strongly impacted Australian and New Zealand psyche.

• Anzac Day and the Legend have become key factors of Australian identity since established, as soldiers had not received a chance to prove themselves to other nations prior to Gallipoli therefore the battle allowed for them to display their strengths which produced Anzac Spirit.

• Source 6-part a, Prime Minister John Howards speech illustrates the lasting impact which Anzac soldiers from the Gallipoli Campaign will have and the importance of Anzac Day to Australian psyche, identity and culture. Phrases such as ‘here they won a compelling place in the Australian identity’, conveys the significance of the event to Australia.

• The major criticism of Anzac Day today is the relevance of it to current day citizens of Australia, such as women and members from other cultures. This is as an increasing number of veteran and veteran’s children who were strongly effected by war begin to die out it creates loss of importance. As well as that the Anzac legend originally heavily excluded members who are now major parts of current day society such as woman and