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What were the long-term and short-term effects of World War II on Australia?
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The long-term and short-term effects of World War II on Australia were significant. Short-term effects included rationing, blackouts, and economic prosperity due to increased industrial production and women's workforce participation. Long-term effects involved mental health issues among veterans, strengthened ties with the United States, weakened relations with Great Britain, and cultural shifts influenced by American media. The war also spurred rapid industrialization and increased Australia's global diplomatic role.
As a member of the British Commonwealth, Australia entered World War II when Britain declared war on Germany. The Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Gordon Menzies, made the announcement on September 3, 1939. In total, almost 1 million Australians served during the war in Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and throughout the Pacific region. Precise statistics vary across research sites, but approximately 39,000 were killed, and 30,000 were taken prisoner.
Within the country of Australia, the war in Europe seemed remote, but when Japan entered the war in December 1941, invasion loomed as a very real threat. The first attack on the mainland occurred in the northern city of Darwin, which was bombed by Japanese warplanes on February 19, 1942. In that attack, approximately 200 civilians were killed. Other attacks of northern Australian cities followed.
Because Britain was unable to send troops to aid in Australia's defense, the United States...
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assumed responsibility for the protection of the country, sending ships, aircraft, equipment, and reinforcements. By 1943, 250,000 US soldiers were stationed in cities on the east coast. Numerous Allied victories around the Pacific theater began to reduce the threat of imminent invasion.
Short term effects of the war in Australia included the rationing of meat, sugar, tea, butter, and other commodities. Barbed wire was placed upon eastern beaches, and blackouts were imposed. Many individual families dug air raid shelters. The Australian government imprisoned citizens born in enemy countries such as Japan, Germany, and Italy in internment camps. The government also censored the news.
As in the United States, wartime brought economic prosperity to Australia as industries ramped up production of wartime needs. Many jobs were created, and because so many men were overseas fighting, women entered the workforce as never before. Women also joined the military forces, although only in noncombat positions.
Long-term effects of the war included mental instability, post-traumatic stress, suicidal tendencies, and alcoholism in returning servicemen. The Cold War, which altered diplomatic relationships around the world, also impacted Australia.
With the awareness that Great Britain was unable to protect Australia in times of distress, the war weakened Australia's relationship with Great Britain. Instead, Australia developed a stronger relationship with the United States. The Australian economy continued to prosper in the wake of the industrial surge during the war.
Australia was geographically close to Japan and its territories. Japan occupied what are today Indonesia and the Philippines. Both are located to the north of Australia. This proximity made attacks on Australian soil by the Japanese feasible.
Sydney Harbour was attacked by torpedoes from submarines in 1942. Air raids by the Japanese in the northern part of Australia occurred nearly one hundred times during World War II. The city of Darwin was attacked by bombers in 1942, and resulted in approximately two hundred deaths. These attacks caused fear and anxiety among many Australians. In addition to this fear, Australians lived with the daily realities of war. Nearly one million Australians served in the armed forces during the war. There was some rationing in Australia, though not as much as in Great Britain.
The Australians did not suffer as many attacks as expected despite their proximity to Japan. After the war ended, the Australian government decided that the nation should be better prepared just in case war were to come again. They desired a population increase to help build up a larger military. They also wanted to rebuild and improve their military after the war.
In order to increase the population, the government encouraged increased immigration. The post-war economy of Australia was much stronger than that of Great Britain, so new immigrants found jobs easily.