enter World War II? n Over the next two weeks we will use historical sources of evidence to look at: n The outbreak of World War II in Europe. n How Australias ties to Britain affected its involvement in the war. n How the Japanese threat forced changes in Australias war effort and its alliances with Great Britain and the USA. Australias ties to Britain n Although Australia became a nation in 1901, it was still a part of the British Empire (later called the Commonwealth.) n Although it had a Prime Minister, the Queen or King remained the ultimate power (and still does). n In World War I (1914-1918) Australia had no choice but to enter the war - it had to follow Britains instructions. Many lives were lost. ANZAC legend born. n By World War II (1939) little had changed - Australia clung to Britains apron strings. Why is Queen Victoria so prominent on this souvenir of Australias Federation?
Enlistment posters
Student Task: WWI n Locate statistics, basic facts and other interesting information relating to Australian involvement in World War 1. Record these in your Discovery Diary under a heading such as: Australian experiences in World War 1. n Locate at least three primary sources (written, visual or physical) of Australian experiences during World War I. Try to find two very different perspectives (points of view). Record these, with explanatory captions, in your Discovery Diary under a sub-heading: Primary Sources. n Search tips: Australian War Memorial site is a good starting point. Or Google: Primary sources WWI Australia. This is an Australian Army resource: http://www.army.gov.au/Our- history/Primary-Materials/World-War-One-1914-to-1918 Australias foreign policy n A countrys foreign policy is based on its attitudes and actions towards other countries. It includes trade, defence, aid, treaties, relationships etc. n Despite becoming a nation in 1901, Australia still adopted most of Britains foreign policy practices. Up to WWII it had no embassies outside London. n Its military weakness, geographical isolation, small population, historical links to the Motherland, economic dependance and overall vulnerability meant Australia remained under Britains umbrella. (Not always happily but from a sense of obligation, tradition, duty or necessity.) n Can you work out what this primary source (a 1930s cartoon) says about Australias relationship with Britain? n Hint: Look at the individual elements (words and images) which make up this political cartoon. List the elements which make sense to you. n Hint 2: Start delving: Find out who Mr Chamberlain was. Find out who Australias Prime Minister was in 1937. n See if you can find a logo for HMV gramophones. n How is the HMV logo similar to this cartoon? Student task Tune in with Britain n Opposition leader Joe Lyons urged Australians to follow Britains lead in his election speech of December 1931. His theme was Tune in with Britain. In parts of the speech he said: n What should be the policy and action of our Federal Government? Surely it should be to adhere unfalteringly to the principles and practices which have been tried and proved throughout the British world, and which have been perhaps the greatest factor in the building of our mighty Empire. Our Party stands for Australia taking a fair share of the mutual defence of the British Empire. I can give you no better advice than to tune in with Britain. Trust the United Australia Party as the British people trusted the United British Party.... I firmly believe that Britain has set an example which Australia will not hesitate to follow. Corroborating n The message in the cartoon of the koala listening to the gramophone corroborates (or supports) the message in the speech of Opposition leader Joseph Lyons. Draw up a table with two columns and enter the elements from each source. Like this: Student task n Find out what happened in the Australian elections of that year. Was Mr Lyons party successful? n Try to locate another primary source from the 1931-32 period which shows what the major concerns of Australians and politicians was at the time. Clue: The economy was important. n Try to locate a speech or comment by Mr Lyons rivals about their policies and concerns for Australia at this time. Explaining, synthesising n To synthesise is to bring several elements together to create a new whole. Historians do this in communicating their research. n Your task is to write a short paragraph using the koala cartoon, Mr Lyonss speech and what you found in the previous task to explain: n What was the nature of Australias foreign policy in the early to mid 1930s? n Enter your final copy in your Discovery Diary. Britain will save us n Australia did little to develop its own defence forces and foreign policies because it believed the mighty British Empire would shield it from attack. World War I only reinforced this despite heavy Australian losses and general distrust for British defence officers and politicians. n League of Nations (later United Nations) promised international peace. Deals were signed. Britain had a lot of influence. Germany and others were punished for their WW1 actions. n The Great Depression (late 1920s-1930s) meant most of the governments energies, efforts and resources were devoted to what was happening within Australia. Defence Forces weakened. n But by the mid to late 1930s, Japans aggressive takeovers in Asia, and Germany and Italys increasing menace in Europe had Australia worried. Background: The Great War n World War I was by far the greatest conflict ever to sweep the world. n So many countries involved. n So many battle fronts. n So many lives lost and serious injuries. n So much money spent. n When it ended, most thought there could or would never be another war like it. Britains policies n Even Britain, the greatest empire in the world, turned away from militarism to pacifism in the 1920s, adopting a policy of appeasement.* n The League of Nations devoted its efforts to ensuring countries were more co-operative and less aggressive, respecting boundaries and rights. n But WW1 left many countries, especially those on the losing side or who lost territory, bitter and determined to regain their pride and power. The Treaty of Versailles heightened their resentment. n * See definitions on the next slide n Some important terms: n Pacifism: the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means. n Militarism: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. n Policy of Appeasement:British Governments official plan to keep the peace - to pull back from aggressive or provocative moves, especially involving Germany and other countries with which it had poor relationships from WW1. British PM Chamberlain sought to negotiate and compromise with German leader Adolf Hitler in an attempt to avoid another war. n League of Nations: an association of countries established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles to promote international cooperation and achieve international peace and security. It was powerless to stop Italian, German, and Japanese expansionism leading to World War II and was replaced by the United Nations in 1945. n Treaty of Versailles: a treaty signed in 1919 that brought a formal end to World War I.The treaty redivided the territory of the defeated Central Powers, restricted Germany's armed forces, and established the League of Nations. It left Germany smarting under what it considered a vindictive settlement while not sufficiently restricting its ability eventually to rearm and seek forcible redress. Adolf Hitlers rise n Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany, convincing his people that he had the policies and the passion to restore the country to its former glory. n His policies, though, became increasingly aggressive and extreme, including invading neighbouring countries and actively promoting the idea of a supreme white race. Jews, blacks, Asians and others were the object of hatred & discrimination. Student task n Conduct some research into Adolf Hitler and answer the following questions: n Which party did he establish? n When did this Party gain power in Germany? n What did Germans and others think of Hitler in the mid 1930s? n What was the name of the book Hitler published outlining his policies? List some of its major points. n What is the Aryan race? Explain Hitlers beliefs about the need to protect the purity of this race. Japan: Friend or foe? n Much closer to Australia than Germany, Japan emerged as a world power in the 1920s and 1930s. n Japan invaded Manchuria and China and set its sights on other Asian nations. It withdrew from the League of Nations when it was criticised. n Most Asian countries had been controlled by European powers - the Dutch, Portuguese, French, British for centuries (Imperialism). n Interestingly, Australia was more worried by Hitler than the Japanese, due largely to British- controlled media informing Australians. Japanese threat n Australia could not get a clear answer from Britain about whether it would come to its aid in the event of a Japanese invasion. n As a result, in August 1937 Australia adopted a three- year Defence Force rebuilding program. n Under this plan the Government set aside 43 million pounds for new ships, planes and tanks. Menzies elected n Prime Minister Joseph Lyons died in April 1939 and Robert Menzies was elected. Many doubted his abilities to lead Australia during wartime. n One of his first speeches: In the Pacific we face primary responsibilities and primary risks...What Great Britain calls the Far East is to us the near north....I have become convinced that, in the Pacific, Australia must regard herself as a principal, providing herself with her own information and maintaining her own diplomatic contacts with foreign powers. n This is the first hint that even pro-Britain politicians recognised that Australia needed its own foreign policy in relation to the Asia-Pacific. Britain had other priorities. Britain changes tack n By the late 1930s Britain dropped its pacifist approach, realising that Germany and Italy posed major threats to world peace. n Britain also lost faith in the ability of the League of Nations to enforce decisions or treaties. n Australia followed Britains lead: n September 1, 1939, Hitlers Germany invaded Poland. September 2, 1939, Britain declared war on Germany. September 3, 1939, Australia declared war on Germany.
n y Unity essential n Australias decision to follow Britain into war against Germany was part of the belief that for the British Empire to remain strong it was vital that all member nations should speak as one. n This was especially important given the rising power and influence of Germany which had earlier invaded Czechoslovakia. Menzies speech Fellow Australians. It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that ... Great Britain has declared war upon Germany and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. It may be taken that Hitlers ambition is not to unite all the German people under one rule but to bring under that rule as many countries as can be subdued by force. If this is to go on, there can be no security in Europe and no peace for the world. The right of independent people to live their own lives, honest dealing, the peaceful settlement of differences, the honouring of international obligations - all these are at stake. Student task n Imagine you are a school student in September 1939 hearing a radio broadcast of Menzies Declaration of War speech. n In your Discover Diary, write a 200 word entry capturing your feelings and those of people around you. Use your imagination but make it as realistic as possible. Perhaps your father had been a soldier in WW1 or maybe an older brother is keen to enlist. Your mother might have painful memories of what happened to her family in WW1. Supporting Britain n World War I. n The outbreak of war was met with wild enthusiasm by many Australians. n Young men enlisted in the adventure of a lifetime. n Great pride that the new Australia had a chance to help Mother England. n World War II. n Greeted with sense of duty not euphoria. n Memories of WW1 death and destruction still very real. n Government did not commit troops to Europe for some time. First duty was to Australia. Secondary sources n Quality secondary sources, like those of historians and researchers, can provide important perspectives on history, making judgments based on a range of evidence. n Historian M. McKernan in Australians in Wartime writes: n Australia declared herself to be at war with Germany but Menzies made it clear that troops would not be sent to Europe. This satisfied some Australians but angered others. Debate about Australian involvement in this war was complex and protracted. There were some whose empire loyalty propelled them to an unrestrained commitment of Australian troops and resources. Others were more cautious, worried by the threat from Japan. With the experience of 1914-1918 vividly before them, some were very wary of involvement in war at all. These disputes persisted at least until the entry of the Japanese at the end of 1941. Corroborating sources n Locate at least two other sources which corroborate parts of McKernans overview of Australian attitudes to the outbreak of World War II. n Identify the specific parts of each source which support or contradict the other. n Record the sources and the information in your Discovery Diary. Also indicate whether it is primary or secondary; written, spoken or visual. n Correctly reference the source, using the citation maker on the Libraryland wiki. Defence force 1939 n Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fleet of 165 combat aircraft - many old and unsuitable for combat. n Navy had just 15 vessels - two heavy cruisers, four light cruisers and five destroyers. n Regular army numbered just 3000. Reserves totalled 80,000. n Immediate task to recruit volunteers willing to fight in Australias armed forces. Why men enlisted n After an initial rush, volunteers were much slower to come forward than in World War 1. Those who did come forward did so for three main reasons: n The need for a job after years of unemployment during the depression. n The desire to be like their fathers. n The desire to support Britain and fight for their country. Primary sources: Some thoughts of enlisters n It wasnt until the first day in the army you realised how many had been on the bones of their arse, scrounging feeds and living under the stigma of being unemployed. n My father was an idol. He died from mustard gas poisoning. Id like to try avenge his death. n I had done some 25 jobs from leaving school to joining the Armed Forces. n The Empire has done a lot for us. We ought to help Britain now. Perspectives n The thoughts of enlisting soldiers on the previous slide show different perspectives or points of view on the same issue. n In historical inquiry it is always important to look at different perspectives. n Student task: Come up with several reasons why it is important to consider different perspectives. What problems might occur if only one perspective is taken into account? Student task n Imagine you are a man making a decision about enlisting to fight for Australia in the war. n Consider his age, background, occupation, relationships, attitudes to war, fears and other factors. n Write a 200 to 300 word letter to a friend or family member outlining your point of view and reasons for enlisting or not enlisting. The conscription debate n Conscription is the compulsory enrolment of men in the armed forces, usually during war time. n Conscription was voted on several times during World War 1 but rejected by the Australian people. n In WWII PM Menzies began with a scheme where all single men turning 21 were called up for three months military training. n Many people felt the next step would be compulsory overseas service if the war escalated. Britain looks shaky n It wasnt long before the world and Australia saw that Great Britain was not so great against the might of Hitlers Germany and Italy. n Hitler and his axis powers were attacking parts of northern Africa, the Middle East, Greece and then the Soviet Union. n By the end of 1941 it was clear the war would not end any time soon. Locate and examine images of how the war impacted on Britain, France and other countries. n And in December 1941 Japan bombed the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. n Find a map of the world showing the Axis and Allies powers during WWII. n Copy and paste this to your Discovery Diary. n Write lists of: n the main Axis Powers, n the Allies and n Neutral countries. Student task Japans aggression n Japan knew that the European war gave it the ideal opportunity to expand its empire. n In the six months from December 1941 to May 1942 Japan launched attacks on Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Malay peninsula and the Philippines. n Australia was alarmed at the rate of Japanese aggression and its success. n New PM John Curtin described the Japanese threat as the gravest hour in our history.
n New Student task n Examine the map at right. What does it tell you about the rate of growth of Japans empire? n Look at the inset map. Explain why Australians might have been concerned about Japans actions? Australia turns to the US n The Japanese threat and Australias inability to defend itself triggered a major shift in policy. n Curtin declared that Australias very survival as an independent nation lay with assistance from the United States rather than Great Britain. n Student task: Try to work out the message of the cartoon. Student task n Develop a timeline of the major events affecting Australia and the world during the first two years of World War II - 1939-1941. n Start with Hitler invading Poland, September 1, 1939 and end with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. n As well as the date and year, the event or issue, and the place, try to locate an appropriate image to support several entries on your timeline.