In 1916 and 1917, during the darkest days of the Great War, two referendums were held asking Australians to decide whether men should be conscripted to fight overseas. The issue was hugely controversial, dividing families, communities and political parties.

Below you will find additional articles expanding on the 'A Nation Divided: The Great War and Conscription' exhibition.

Referendum or plebiscite?

The precise meaning and use of the terms 'referendum' and 'plebiscite' have varied between countries and over time.

Why were referendums held in 1916 & 1917?

It is a source of national pride that Australia fielded a volunteer army throughout World War I.

Remembering conscription in World War I – what does it have to tell us?

In commemorating the Great War, few now remember that most bitter battle on the home front - the war of

Image courtesy State Library of Victoria.

The First Conscription Referendum – 1916

The first conscription referendum was held on Saturday 28 October 1916. Australian electors were asked to answer 'Yes' or 'No'.

The second Conscription Referendum – 1917

1917 has been described as the worst year of the war, both on the battle fields and on the home ...

Reads: Australian Nationalists. Married Men are EXEMPT if the Government Proposals are CARRIED, but if they are REJECTED, ALL will have TO GO. "VOTE YES MUM or else they'll take DAD." VOTE X YES. Central to the image is a woman reaching for her child who holds a 'vote yes' pamphlet.

The case for Conscription in World War I

The case for Conscription was put most powerfully by the Australian Government, backed by almost all of the major newspapers.

Reads: Australian Labor Party Anti-Conscription Campaign Committee. "VOTE NO MUM they'll take DAD next." VOTE X NO. Central to the image is a woman reaching for her child who holds a 'vote no' pamphlet.

The case against Conscription in World War I

The anti-conscription cause was presented by a loose coalition of groups, including labour organisations, civil libertarians and anti-war groups.

Propaganda and the conscription debate

The cartoons and pamphlets in this exhibition are presented exactly as they were produced at the time.

Women and the Conscription debate

Women played a central role in the conscription campaigns. Feminist Vida Goldstein later commented that conscription politicised Australian women more than ...