On this day, 20 December 1917, conscription to the army in Australia during World War I was defeated for the second time during a referendum 54% to 46%. The workers’ movement, and particularly the revolutionary Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union, had vigorously opposed conscription, with the IWW opposing the war as well, for which it had been proscribed and its members heavily repressed.
Learn more in our podcast episode 19 about the Australian IWW: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/01/28/e19-the-iww-in-australia/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/2165899706928501/?type=3