Essay On Social Changes In Australia
Social Changes in Australia
Due to involvement in World War 2, 1942-1943 were times of considerable social changes in Australia. With the men all off fighting in the war, women's roles changed to fill the places left by men. Wartime controls as well as the American Forces arriving in Australia and the introduction of the National Security Act by the Menzies Government also had an impact on life in Australian society.
In 1941, Australia's Prime Minister, John Curtin gave a statement in a speech to the Australian people. In the speech he addressed the future of Australia and America's involvement in the war. This led to Australia and America focusing their efforts on the fight in the Pacific, and the introduction of American soldiers to Australia while Australia was being used as a base opened the Australian society to many significant changes that the effects of which can still be found.
With all the men off fighting in the war, women were left to take over positions in society and the workplace that were previously occupied by men. This was a welcome change, as most women were happy with the new opportunities for employment. The majority of women were employed in manufacturing industries approved by the government. Other women took jobs in …show more content…
offices, banks, government and business, and transport.
By 1941, women were allowed to enlist in the armed services despite strong opposition. There were three women's service divisions that were created so that women could fill the positions previously occupied by the men that would then be sent to combat overseas. These were called the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, The Australian Women's Army Service and the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service. Women were employed in jobs such as electricians, clerical assistants, aircraft mechanics, caterers, drivers, signalers, interpreters and enemy code breakers.
The Australian Army Medical Women's Service and the Australian Army Nursing Service were the two main branches of the nursing service and had approximately 13 000 women serving. These women served in Australia, as well as the countries where the Australian army was fighting, mainly in army hospitals.
The wartime controls implemented upon Australia enabled the federal government to enact laws on rationing, censorship, and manpower. Rationing enabled the government to control what was being produced, as well as how much would be sent overseas to the war effort and how much would be available to the public. This system meant that the people would get fair shares irrespective of income.
By 1942, basic consumer items such as tea, sugar, meat, butter and clothing were being rationed, as well as eggs and milk being occasionally rationed and fruit and vegetables being often in short supply. All members of the community were given an allocated number of coupons that they had to present to shopkeepers when making purchases, and once the coupons were used, you could not buy more goods until the next coupons were distributed. One of the unintended outcomes of rationing was the formation of a black market that sold rationed goods illegally. The government had limited success when it tried to shut this down.
At the beginning of the war, the government used existing powers to reintroduce censorship of newspapers and mail to protect national security and to maintain public morale. The Department of Information was established to filter the information the public would be given about the war. The Department controlled not only what went into newspaper and what was contained in letters, it also restricted what people heard on the radio and saw in the newsreels played at the cinema. The entire truth about the war was usually held back from the public.
Australia's isolation during the wartime also assisted in the growth of new manufacturing industries, particularly those related to the war, and female employment totals increased by 31% between 1939 and 1944. The labor shortages became worse with the rising need to provide the US with supplies and construction, and at first the government regulations would not allow workers to leave industries that were important to the war effort.
In 1942, the government set up the Manpower Directorate, which restructured and controlled the workforce. A national register of female and male workers was created and the Directorate decided who worked where, be that in the wartime industry or not. While these regulations had a significant impact on the freedom of Australian workers, it was generally accepted.
The arrival of the near one million US troops in Australia to fight in the war against the Japanese in late December 1941 brought about changes in certain aspects of Australian culture and society.
While using Australia as the official base, the US servicemen showed Australians a different way of life. They expected American-style forms of entertainment, goods and food. They also introduced music such as jazz and swing, and new dances such as the jitterbug. The Americans interested many Australian women, who were impressed by luxuries such as chocolate and silk stockings, as well as black market cigarettes and beer. An estimated 12 000 - 15 000 women became 'war brides' and went to live in the US when the war
finished.
On the 9th of September 1939, the Menzies Government introduced the National Security Act. This allowed the government to create laws without reference to the Constitution or parliament. It made these laws through regulation; by having a meeting comprising the Governor-General and at least three government ministers. While these controls caused difficulties within society, the Australian people were united during the war. They believed that the wartime regulations were aimed at quality of sacrifice.
Australia went through significant social changes because of the events that occurred during World War II, the effects of which can still be found in modern society. Women's roles in society shifted significantly since the war, and it is now considered normal for women to work. The introduction of the National Security Act and various wartime controls such as rationing brought some difficulties, however these difficulties helped to unite Australia during the war.
Due to involvement in World War 2, 1942-1943 were times of considerable social changes in Australia. With the men all off fighting in the war, women's roles changed to fill the places left by men. Wartime controls as well as the American Forces arriving in Australia and the introduction of the National Security Act by the Menzies Government also had an impact on life in Australian society.
In 1941, Australia's Prime Minister, John Curtin gave a statement in a speech to the Australian people. In the speech he addressed the future of Australia and America's involvement in the war. This led to Australia and America focusing their efforts on the fight in the Pacific, and the introduction of American soldiers to Australia while Australia was being used as a base opened the Australian society to many significant changes that the effects of which can still be found.
With all the men off fighting in the war, women were left to take over positions in society and the workplace that were previously occupied by men. This was a welcome change, as most women were happy with the new opportunities for employment. The majority of women were employed in manufacturing industries approved by the government. Other women took jobs in …show more content…
offices, banks, government and business, and transport.
By 1941, women were allowed to enlist in the armed services despite strong opposition. There were three women's service divisions that were created so that women could fill the positions previously occupied by the men that would then be sent to combat overseas. These were called the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, The Australian Women's Army Service and the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service. Women were employed in jobs such as electricians, clerical assistants, aircraft mechanics, caterers, drivers, signalers, interpreters and enemy code breakers.
The Australian Army Medical Women's Service and the Australian Army Nursing Service were the two main branches of the nursing service and had approximately 13 000 women serving. These women served in Australia, as well as the countries where the Australian army was fighting, mainly in army hospitals.
The wartime controls implemented upon Australia enabled the federal government to enact laws on rationing, censorship, and manpower. Rationing enabled the government to control what was being produced, as well as how much would be sent overseas to the war effort and how much would be available to the public. This system meant that the people would get fair shares irrespective of income.
By 1942, basic consumer items such as tea, sugar, meat, butter and clothing were being rationed, as well as eggs and milk being occasionally rationed and fruit and vegetables being often in short supply. All members of the community were given an allocated number of coupons that they had to present to shopkeepers when making purchases, and once the coupons were used, you could not buy more goods until the next coupons were distributed. One of the unintended outcomes of rationing was the formation of a black market that sold rationed goods illegally. The government had limited success when it tried to shut this down.
At the beginning of the war, the government used existing powers to reintroduce censorship of newspapers and mail to protect national security and to maintain public morale. The Department of Information was established to filter the information the public would be given about the war. The Department controlled not only what went into newspaper and what was contained in letters, it also restricted what people heard on the radio and saw in the newsreels played at the cinema. The entire truth about the war was usually held back from the public.
Australia's isolation during the wartime also assisted in the growth of new manufacturing industries, particularly those related to the war, and female employment totals increased by 31% between 1939 and 1944. The labor shortages became worse with the rising need to provide the US with supplies and construction, and at first the government regulations would not allow workers to leave industries that were important to the war effort.
In 1942, the government set up the Manpower Directorate, which restructured and controlled the workforce. A national register of female and male workers was created and the Directorate decided who worked where, be that in the wartime industry or not. While these regulations had a significant impact on the freedom of Australian workers, it was generally accepted.
The arrival of the near one million US troops in Australia to fight in the war against the Japanese in late December 1941 brought about changes in certain aspects of Australian culture and society.
While using Australia as the official base, the US servicemen showed Australians a different way of life. They expected American-style forms of entertainment, goods and food. They also introduced music such as jazz and swing, and new dances such as the jitterbug. The Americans interested many Australian women, who were impressed by luxuries such as chocolate and silk stockings, as well as black market cigarettes and beer. An estimated 12 000 - 15 000 women became 'war brides' and went to live in the US when the war
finished.
On the 9th of September 1939, the Menzies Government introduced the National Security Act. This allowed the government to create laws without reference to the Constitution or parliament. It made these laws through regulation; by having a meeting comprising the Governor-General and at least three government ministers. While these controls caused difficulties within society, the Australian people were united during the war. They believed that the wartime regulations were aimed at quality of sacrifice.
Australia went through significant social changes because of the events that occurred during World War II, the effects of which can still be found in modern society. Women's roles in society shifted significantly since the war, and it is now considered normal for women to work. The introduction of the National Security Act and various wartime controls such as rationing brought some difficulties, however these difficulties helped to unite Australia during the war.