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What was everyday life like in Australia during World War II
World War 2, which lasted from 1939-1945, affected Australia along with many other countries greatly. So when Britain declared war, Australia immediately followed its lead because most Australians shared the view that they had a duty to support the Brits. Things were different to World War 1 however, because Australians no longer imagined the War to be a glamorous new adventure but a harsh reality of life.
When war broke out in September 1939 the Australian Government was much better prepared for it than in 1914. As in 1914 most Australians seemed to support the decision to be involved in the war. All major parties, churches and newspapers supported involvement. The only groups not to support the decision were pacifists such as Jehovah's Witnesses, and hardcore socialists who opposed involvement because the Soviet Union opposed it. Nor was there the same rush to enlist. The government deliberately moved more slowly and in a more organized way - they had learned from 1914 when many men in essential occupations had been allowed to enlist, to the harm of the home front effort.
The first nine months were a period of 'phoney war', when there was little actual combat. Life for Australians at this stage was fairly normal. In June 1940, however, the German war machine struck, and the countries of Europe rapidly fell to the German Blitzkrieg of 'lightning war'. By September only Britain stood undefeated, and even then it had been badly mauled at Dunkirk, and was suffering the impact of the bombing of its industrial cities. The war was increasingly becoming desperate and serious.
Then with the entry of Japan into the Pacific War, there was a real fear and threat of invasion. During 1942, civilians were evacuated south in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. And Australians were put under greater government controls than any time since the convict era. There have never been such controls since that time.
The realities of life changed greatly for many people. There were shortages, rationing, and constant fund-raising appeals. With one million men and women in the services, most families were disrupted. The war probably changed many Australians' sense of the geography of the place, as many were stationed overseas or in parts of Australia they may never have seen before this time.
One of the main effects of the war was to start the 'migration revolution' of post-war Australia. The Australian Government had fears of invasion, and believed that we had to 'populate or perish'. Traditional sources of migrants were not available in large enough numbers, so Australia started accepting refugees and displaced persons from the northern and eastern European countries. This was the beginning of the end for 'White Australia' and the start of modern multiculturalism.
One of the most severe tests of the Australian public in war was the presence of large numbers of United States troops in transit through Australia to various war fronts. These troops had three major impacts on Australian life.
One was to force the opening up of [next page]