TASK 1: Comprehension

Read through the information below and then complete the questions that follow

When Britain declared war on Nazi Germany after the invasion of Poland in 1939, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, announced shortly afterwards that Australia was now also at war. Many of the same reasons for joining WW1 were still true for WW2 but there was not the enthusiasm of the first war. Most Australians supported involvement in the war. However, memories of the horror of World War 1 meant the news was not greeted with a sense of excitement as had been the case 25 years before.

After war was declared, 40,000 Army Reserves, then known as “militia” were called up for service, and a further 20,000 volunteers joined the Second AIF. Enlistment was slow with only 3400 men volunteering in the first month; nothing like the enthusiasm of 1914. Unlike World War I, where the government promised to send men immediately war was declared, Menzies waited until 1 November before announcing that the 2nd AIF would be sent overseas.

At one point in 1942, 476,000 men were in the Army, or 6% of all Australians.

Although war had been declared, actual fighting did not occur straight away. In the months that followed, in a period known as the 'phoney war', there was hesitation by both sides. Menzies, a loyal supporter of Britain, was also aware of the threat posed by Japan. For this reason he was not keen to send Australian troops to Europe straight away. Many Australians criticised his hesitation and called for urgent support of the 'mother country'.

The reasons for joining the war:

• Britishness was still a large factor for Australians wanting to help Britain. The White Australia Policy meant that most migrants to Australia still came from Britain. A sense of still belonging to the old British Empire continued, at least at the start of the war.

• Adventure and excitement was something war offered. Most people were too poor to travel, and joining, just as it did it 1914, meant opportunities to see the world.

• Unemployment, after the Great Depression beginning in 1929, was still high. Getting a job with the military was an option for many men.

• The threat from Japan. With the expanding Japanese Empire coming closer and closer to Australia, many people felt threatened. Propaganda was particularly racist and tried to horrify the public into action.

• The British offered Australia protection through its base at Singapore. Many thought helping the British against the Nazis was only fair, at least until the Japanese threat came closer.

• The 1940 Fall of France to the Nazis in only 6 weeks in shocked Australians. A surge in volunteers was due to the French defeat, almost 50,000 in June 1940.

• A fear of being seen as a coward, especially in front of women.

Questions

1. When did Australia join WW2?

2. What was different compared to the First World War?

3. Why was there still a strong sense of Britishness?

4. How did the Great Depression affect enlistment?

5. What was the new threat that faced Australia?

6. What happened to France that encouraged enlistment?

1. Write down three reasons Mark gives for supporting Britain and going to war

2. Write down three reasons Mary gives for staying out of the war

Fellow Australians. It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of the persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war on her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war …

It may be taken that Hitler’s 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.

A halt has been called. Force has had to be resorted to, to check force. The right of independent people to live their own lives, honest dealing, the peaceful settlement of differences, the honouring of international obligations — all these things are at stake.

There was never any doubt as to where Great Britain stood in regard to them. There can be no doubt that where Great Britain stands, there stands the people of the entire British world.

Published in The Advertiser, Adelaide, 4 September 1939.

Source 1: An extract from Prime Minister Robert Menzies’ 3 September 1939 radio broadcast announcing Australia’s entry into war against Germany

Questions

1. In the first paragraph, what is Menzies’ reason for entering the war?

2. In the second paragraph, what is Menzies’ main concern?

3. In the third paragraph, what does Menzies consider is at stake?

4. Explain the tone of the fourth paragraph.

5. How do you think Australians would have responded to this speech?