Focus Question 4: What Was The Significance For New Zealand and New Zealanders Because of Our Involvement in the Gallipoli Campaign? At The Time, Afterwards and Right Up Until the Current Day.

AT THE TIMEIn New Zealand, a huge sense of national pride was swelling at the thought of the Gallipoli campaign. This was the first real war that New Zealand had fought together in, (meaning they werent New Zealanders fighting New Zealanders), and everyone in the country was very proud of our troops. Another big emotion that was being felt at this time was loss. When news travelled to New Zealand about the loss of so many lives, mothers, fathers and siblings were all terrified that their son would be next. Generally, however, the grief was softened by the fact that they died serving and protecting their Mother. Its also important to mention that for the first time in NZ history, Maori soldiers were treated as equals on the front lines. It was the first battle that Maori and European soldiers were fighting for the same cause. This played a huge part in their equal rights movement. Production increased significantly as well, as supply for materials needed for the war escalated. Factories were producing weapons, medical supplies, food, clothing, the list goes on. This had a very positive impact on the NZ economy as we were not responsible for any damages caused in Europe as part of the war. As the rest of Europes economy plummeted, (or inflated), New Zealands economy thrived.AFTERWARDSSocially and politically, the Gallipoli campaign had a huge effect on New Zealanders way of life. Firstly, Maori soldiers were treated as equals on the front lines, when they returned from the war they were still being treated as equal to the Europeans that they fought alongside. Post-war their culture thrived and European-New Zealanders embraced measures of their culture. Maori soldiers were also given awards and commendations equal to those of white soldiers. However, this was not the only equal rights movement to thrive as a result of the war. While men were off fighting in the war, their jobs had to be taken by women to keep production up. This was one of the most notable times that women worked alongside, (or even instead of), men and it played a huge part in New Zealands womens rights movement. When soldiers came back from the war, many of the women working the soldiers jobs were still able to keep jobs in the factories. This propelled the womens rights movement hugely, and played a crucial part in women being able to be elected to the House of Representatives, eventually leading to better modern-day equality for females. As well as lasting equality movements, our economy flourished. While the rest of the European world were paying for damages and war expenses, New Zealand was still riding off the money made from the increased production leading to more jobs, more profits and more spending as a nation. Even though New Zealands economy was doing perfectly fine, Britain still felt that they owed us for supporting and fighting alongside them. This debt included financial support. This just means that New Zealands financial state, while the rest of Europe was struggling, was prospering.Perhaps one of the most important, (and ironic), consequence for New Zealand that came out of the Gallipoli campaign, has to be their inflated sense of national identity. As they fought alongside British troops, they slowly began to notice more and more how unlike them they were. Their language, their actions and even their beliefs and attitudes were all different from those of the British soldiers. When they returned home, they found it impossible to adjust back to the British way of life. This lead to our kiwi culture being strengthened from kiwi ingenuity to our reliance on Britain shrinking. We then began to strengthen ties with countries such as America, Australia and Turkey. Our national pride, (also known as nationalism), was only heightened by political leaders from all over the world commending us on our bravery and our ingenuity. The Gallipoli campaign changed the way we think as a nation.

CURRENTNowadays, our pride in the soldiers that served in the Gallipoli campaign is still going strong as every year on the 25th April New Zealanders remember the fallen, celebrate the victories and commend those who not only served at Gallipoli in 1915, but also any New Zealanders that have served their country in times of conflict. This celebration is called ANZAC day and was first observed on 25th April 2016 exactly one year after the initial landings at ANZAC Cove in 1915, and continues to be celebrated annually. The day is a public holiday. This year, (2014), was the 100th anniversary of World War I. As the Gallipoli campaign happened 1 year after the war started, it was only ANZAC days 99th anniversary. To prepare for the 100 year anniversary of Gallipoli, six million dollars has been put towards restorations and developments at the National War Memorial on Buckle Street in Wellington which will be ready to open on ANZAC day 2015 the 100th anniversary.