First published 2014
Timothy C. Winegard examines how indigenous peoples across the British Empire participated in World War One. Drawing from archival materials spanning four continents, he compares the wartime experiences of native populations in Canada, Australia, Newfoundland, New Zealand and South Africa. Winegard argues that indigenous military service represented more than patriotic duty. These communities saw the war as an opportunity to challenge cultural assimilation policies, resist segregation, and claim equal citizenship through battlefield sacrifice. Initially, colonial governments rejected indigenous volunteers. By late 1915, desperate manpower shortages forced imperial authorities to reverse course and actively recruit native soldiers. Indigenous peoples answered the call with remarkable dedication, serving with distinction in combat while supporting the war effort at home. They endured the same brutal conditions and devastating losses as their non-indigenous counterparts. This comparative study reveals how the Great War became a pivotal moment for indigenous political aspirations across the British dominions.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, military-history, world-war-i, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: comparative-study
Setting: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa
Period: World War One
ebook · Cambridge University Press