ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
National Museum of Australia
National Museum of Australia. Conscription Referendums. Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom. Accessed July 18th, 2025.
This educational resource from the National Museum of Australia provides a clear, engaging overview of both conscription referendums, two of the most significant events in Australian history, exploring why Prime Minister Billy Hughes proposed conscription, how both referendums ended with “no” votes, and the social and political fallout, including the split of the Labor Party.
It highlights how this issue divided communities and influencers. as a credible and authoritative source from a national institution, it’s especially valuable for younger readers or students; its classroom friendly. I found it particularly useful for teaching key facts, making it ideal for 10–14-year-olds, though some terms like ‘Labor Party split’ may need simple explanation for young readers.
National Archives of Australia
National Archives of Australia. Conscription Referendums, 1916 and 1917, Fact Sheet 161 as a pdf. National Archives of Australia, 2020. Accessed July 18, 2025.
This fact sheet explains key details about the 2 Australian conscription referendums held in October 1916 and December 1917. It clarifies that although universal military training had been mandatory for men aged 18 to 60 since 1911, these referendums specifically asked whether conscription should extend to overseas military service. The document offers concise historical context, dates, and purpose of the referendums, plus a distinction between referendums and plebiscites.
As an official, reliable source, it’s excellent for providing factual clarity in your project. Because it’s short and straightforward, it’s also particularly suitable for a younger audience, though terms like ‘universal military training’ might need a simpler explanation but I overall think this website is held in high regard.
Nation Divided
National Museum of Australia. A nation divided: 1916 to 1917 Conscription for military service overseas rejected in two referendums. Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom. National Museum of Australia. Accessed July 21, 2025.
This educational page from the National Museum of Australia’s Digital Classroom explains the conscription votes during World War I, noting that both were rejected and describing how they divided the nation. It highlights key facts - that the referendums were debating, held during a time of declining volunteer enlistment, and that the issue split the Labor Party and impacted Australia's political landscape.
The resource also includes engaging classroom activities, discussion questions, image ordering tasks, and historical prompts, that make it especially useful for younger learners. Its structured, multimedia-supported design and age-appropriate framing make it both reliable and highly engaging for early secondary students, though some terms like ‘plebiscite’ may require more knowledge.
This resource from the Parliamentary Education Office outlines the 1916 conscription plebiscite, held on October 28, 1916, during World War I. It describes how Australia, facing reduced volunteer enlistments, held a non-binding vote asking whether compulsory overseas military service should be compulsory or not. It was ultimately rejected by the public.
The entry highlights the plebiscite’s impact, including the split within the Labor Party and the rise of a new political party. This website is designed for educational use, and the page is clear, offering historical clarity, making it a reliable supporting source for young readers. It’s especially useful for understanding the political context and consequences of the vote in a simple, accessible format.
Parliament Education Office
Parliamentary Education Office. 1916 Conscription Plebiscite. History Milestones: Australian Parliament History Timeline, Parliamentary Education Office. Accessed August 17, 2025