WWII - Australian Government Control on the Home Front
In order to understand the extent of government control, we
will look at five different aspects. These include: conscription, propaganda,
the role of women, enemy ‘aliens’ and war time controls/censorship.
You will be divided into groups. Within your group, examine the sources provided and answer the questions. You will then explain your findings to the rest of the class.
You will be divided into groups. Within your group, examine the sources provided and answer the questions. You will then explain your findings to the rest of the class.
Conscription
Conscription was a sensitive issue during WWII and generated heated debates around the country. The two posters shown above demonstrate the division in public opinion with regards to conscription. visit the following link to explain extent of government involvement in recruitment.
http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/conscription-debate
http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/conscription-debate
Government Propaganda
1. Who are the targets of these posters?
2. What is the message in these posters ?
3. How effective are these posters in communicating their message?
2. What is the message in these posters ?
3. How effective are these posters in communicating their message?
Changing role of women
Group 1
Please refer to the source below.
1. How are the contribution of women emphasised in this source?
2. How is this role of women different from their role prior to the war?
Please refer to the source below.
1. How are the contribution of women emphasised in this source?
2. How is this role of women different from their role prior to the war?
beaufort.pdf | |
File Size: | 1147 kb |
File Type: |
Group 2
The following source discusses the changing role of women during WWII. What are some of the changes and issues highlighted in this source?
The following source discusses the changing role of women during WWII. What are some of the changes and issues highlighted in this source?
women.docx | |
File Size: | 69 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Enemy 'Aliens'
enemy_within.docx | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | docx |
1. Who were labelled as the 'enemy within' or 'aliens' ?
2. Why do you think these groups were targeted?
3. how did the government deal with 'aliens' during WWII ?
2. Why do you think these groups were targeted?
3. how did the government deal with 'aliens' during WWII ?
War time controls/censorship
John Curtin: A Prime
Minister and his people, Media Censorship
in Wartime – Document 2. Retrieved from http://john.curtin.edu.au/letters/activities/censorshipb.html
Refer to the source above, what are some of the issues raised with regards to the government's policy on censorship?
Regulations were introduced in January 1941 which gave the Government virtual control over what information the Australian community could receive and what people could say. According to the Government, these powers were meant to:
- Prevent interference in the war effort
- Deter industrial unrest or hold up war productions
- Prevent people from making disloyal statements in both private and public
- Prevent the undermining of public morale by the spreading of false rumours
Can censorship, which takes away freedom of speech , be justified during war time? Explain
Homework
During WWII, the government used its powers to develop a large number of laws and regulations affecting all areas of people's lives. List other ways in which the government controlled the Australian home front and explain their importance.