The Australian Conscription Debates Lesson

In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of the debates about conscription in Australia during World War One. They will develop an awareness of the first and second referenda on conscription, including the role of prime minister Billy Hughes, the division within the Labor Party over this issue and identifying the groups who opposed conscription, such as trade unionists and Irish Catholics such as Archbishop Daniel Mannix, and the grounds for their objections. Students will have the opportunity to achieve this through choosing their own method of learning, from reading, source analysis, and research options, as well as the chance to engage in extension activities. This lesson includes a self-marking quiz for students to demonstrate their learning.