Why would Australia switch its alliances to America over England during World War 2?
Nearing the end of the Second World War, Australia was faced with a new look on politics and international affairs. Several factors lead to the switch in Australia's alliances, and one crucial component was the fall of Singapore to the Japanese. The ANZUS treaty, formed between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, had a significant effect on the countries involved, and worldwide. Impacts in, and on Australia were felt almost instantly, and can still be noted in today's modern society where the relationships between Australia and the United Kingdom, and Australia and America are fortified internationally.
Prior to World War Two, Australia was apart of the British commonwealth, and still is today, but during the war, Australia was at great risk because of it's geographical location. Many felt that support from the British was scarce, and as the Japanese continued fighting in the Pacific, the risk of attack on Australia was imminent. This was shown by the infamous bombing of Darwin on the 19th of February 1942. Source 1 shows a map of Japanese occupied areas in the Pacific at it's peak. Correlating with the map, the
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Many citizens of Australia felt that with the switch in alliance, they would lose connections with Britain. Being an independent country for less than 100 years, they perceived that the country was too young, socially and economically. Source 2 shows the US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles signing the ANZAC treaty. With the confirmation of the treaty, Australians realised that we were branching away from our 'mother land' and it created a new era in Australian society. In contemporary terms, the effects of the alliance change is almost non-existent. Strong relationships between Australia, America and Britain are secure with all three countries working
Therefore, Australia was a very important country that played a major role in the Battle of Lone
To what extent was the Battle for Kokoda a Disaster? Lauren Knappstein – Year 10 History – Ms Felgate-Pearce The Battle of Kokoda was to a large extent a disaster for the Japanese army fighting in the war. The whole Invasion failed and caused major devastation to Japan and the Japanese soldiers fighting for expansion and supplies. After being through starvation, fatigue and so much devastation, the Kokoda was a true disaster for Japan.
All though both campaigns were vital to the victory of World War 2, I believe that the Kokoda campaign was the most significant to the history of Australia. Not only was the defense of the Kokoda trail vital to the success of the war, it was vital to the safety of Australia. If the Japanese succeeded in their advances, friendly military bases located in the Northern territory were at extreme risk of being targeted by air assaults. The victory in defending the Kokoda trail ultimately led to Australia being more secure, it also led to a successful counter-offensive against the Japanese that would not have been possible with the military bases in the Northern Territory at risk of being bombed. This campaign also highlights the fact that Australia
During World War 2, Australian’s were prisoners of war all over Europe. More than 30,000 Australian’s became prisoners between the years 1940 – 1945. These prisoners included airmen, soldiers of the 6th, 7th, and 9th division, and some nurses. They were prisoners of many countries. The main countries that captured Australian’s were Germany and Japan.
Whilst war in the Pacific commenced on the 7th of December 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Japanese forces landed in PNG on the morning of the 21st of July 1942. Japanese force were identified by both the native PNG population and long-range lookout officers of the Australian army with the first contact by Australian forces commencing on the 22nd of July. Several skirmishes took place up until the 26th of September when Australian forces commenced their major offensive. Numerous battles occurred over the next several months including the battle for templeteoms crossing, eora creek and oivigorari. The final push was marked by the incorporation of American troops and specifically the battle for the beachheads and Sanananda it has been estimated that these last two battle have cost the lives of upwards of 10 000 Japanese lives.
The bombing of Darwin was one of Australia’s greatest disasters. It took place just before ten o’clock on 19 February 1942 Japanese aircrafts flew over Darwin and began the first two attacks that day. Early 1942 Japan had already taken over the Central Pacific. Darwin was a base for reinforcements for the Allies such as Philippines, East Indies, Netherlands and America.
Kokoda was a brutal and deadly battle between Australia and Japan during WWII. This battle was a major turning point in Australian history and helped to develop Australia as a country. The Kokoda campaign of World War II, caused by conflict and cooperation, has shaped the Australian identity that is still evident today in the 21st century. This essay will discuss how conflict and cooperation caused the Kokoda campaign, what it was, and the long-term and short-term implications of the Kokoda campaign.
Australia and nazi Germany are very different in terms of rights, how they act, etc. But in terms of government, it is pretty similar. They both have a head of State, branches of government, and levels of government.
Australian troops, also known as the ANZAC's, believed that if all of the ANZAC troops attacked Turkey, it would shorten World War 1 greatly. However, their plan of taking down Turkey had failed, they did not take into account all of the possible outcomes. They believed that if they could take down Turkey, the ANZAC soldiers main target would be threatened. Turkey was on the side of Germany, Austro-Hungary etc. Australia wanted to take down Turkey for a main purpose, threaten Austro-Hungary.
During the fighting, Australian soldiers killed swathes of Japanese, including their commander, causing over 85% casualties in a force of at least 16,000 while only suffering 2500 dead themselves. The campaign ended as a crucial victory due to the multiple defeats it caused the Japanese which stopped their momentum and helped turn the tide of the war in the South Pacific in the allies’ favour. While the campaign was an overall success, it was far from perfect and it had its fair share of problems, mainly with the supplies at Myola, but also with the troops that were deployed. If it hadn’t been for the timely arrival of the AIF at Isurava, the Militia would have been annihilated and the Japanese would have marched straight into Port Moresby with dangerous consequences for Australia and the rest of the war
In an unambiguous way if the Australian army did not showcase this perseverance and extreme moral they would have been forced back, letting the Japanese take control then giving the Axis powers more
The cold war was a silent conflict between the East and West; a war based on being threatened by different ideologies. The world was hungry for power, to make their nation superior to one another. The cold war and Australia’s involvement has a large chapter in the books of history; political manipulation to increase Australia’s position of power. This essay will outline the motivation in the Australian political positions to aid the Unites States; the reason Australia joined in the Cold War. Using the Parliamentary Debate by Sir Robert Menzies, and then the newspaper entry by Australian ambassador Allan Renouf.
From the 1st of September 1939 to the 2nd of September 1945, life in Australia experienced drastic change. These six years and one day were the catalyst for a radical shift in Australian women’s place in society, ultimately leading to their emancipation from previous roles. The Second World War was instrumental in the liberation of Australian women as their shift away from traditional roles, improved financial equality and increased military participation led to empowerment and new freedoms. The most prominent of these factors in the liberation of Australian women was their emancipation from previous roles. World War Two catalysed the empowerment of women through their emancipation from previous roles in society.
During World War 2 (1939 – 1945), Australia had a variety of impacts on both its government and its people. The war had a great effect on the place of indigenous people in Australia as indigenous men and women joined services throughout the country. The Aboriginal Australians, both the men and the women had contributed in the second Great War. Meanwhile, when the Aboriginals of Australia had jobs during World War 2, Australia’s economy boomed with the help of the war as many Australian troops had gone out to fight for the British. The economy had boomed during the period of the Second World War as Australian products could be produced as well.
Finally, by 1939, Australians were questioning the validity to support and defend the 'Mother Country ' at all costs. These are just three of the World War II experiences that helped shape the nation. The response of Australia to the declaration of World War II was different and less