Hello,
I am studying Australian history in the 1920s and I wondering if anyone can suggest a good topic for research (one that has sources, is provocative etc.). I am particularly interesting in the experiences of returned servicemen but any topic will do. It needs to tie with the theme of national identity somehow.
Many thanks.
A subject that could meet your listed requirements would be the experiences of soldier settlers after WW1 and what led to successes or failures. The theme of national identity could arise from the "A Land Fit for Heroes" slogan.
You could look into the gangs and speak easys of Melbourne and Sydney in the 1920s and 1930s... Many of the gunmen, in particular gunmen favoured by Squizzy Taylor, were returned servicemen, and used shell shock / PTSD defences in court when on trial... There was a book release about it just recently, and there were couple of interviews on the ABC, but I can't remember the name of the new book... Bad Characters: Sex, Crime, Mutiny, Murder and the Australian Imperial Force has a lot of the same stuff though.