Australia in the 20th Century
Assessment for learning
Chapter 4: Australia and World War II
1
List the reasons for Australia’s involvement in World War II.
2
Here is the introduction to an explanation of the reasons for
Australia’s involvement in World War II:
In September 1939 Australia became involved in World War II.
Britain, along with France and Russia, had declared war on Germany,
and Australia, as part of the British Empire, joined in. This was
announced by Prime Minister Menzies. Many Australians saw this as
another European war and were not as enthusiastic about it as they
were when World War I broke out. When Japanese aggression in the
Pacific brought the war to Australia’s doorstep, Australians realised the
need to be actively involved. Prime Minister Curtin announced on 17
December 1941 that Australia had to become involved because of the
Japanese threat.
How could this introduction be improved? Rewrite the introduction so
that it expresses the ideas and reasons more clearly.
3
Identify these places Australians were involved during World War II by
matching the locations with the numbers on the map.
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Burma
Crete and Greece
El Alamein (Egypt)
Lebanon, Syria and Iraq
(Middle East)
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New Guinea
Singapore
Tobruk (Libya)
Indonesia
Australia in the 20th Century
Assessment for learning
4
Research places where Australian pilots, either as part of the RAAF or
other operations, fought during World War II
5
Describe the experiences of Australians serving in World War II, with
emphasis on one of the following:
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6
any one of the places listed in Question 3
prisoners of war
Australian nurses
Explain the impact of the war on Australian civilians, with an emphasis
on one of the following:
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bombing of Darwin
Japanese submarine attack on Sydney
internment of ‘enemy aliens’
7
Describe the controls on civilian life (for example, conscription,
manpower controls, rationing and censorship) imposed by the wartime
government in Australia.
8
Outline the arguments for and against the controls you described in
your answer to Question 7.
9
Describe the changing roles of women during World War II.
10
You are to answer the following question: Explain how and why
Australia’s relationship with Britain and the USA changed during
World War II.
Your answer is to be presented as a word-processed document which
must include in the format:
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•
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a header which states Australia and World War II
a footer which includes your name and the page number
endnotes
paragraphs
a left margin of 3 cm
Before beginning, complete the following planning activities.
Australia in the 20th Century
Australia’s
relationship with:
Assessment for learning
Before WWII
During WWII
At the end of WWII
Britain
USA
How did the relationship
change with—
(what were the steps in the
change?)
Britain
USA
Why did the relationship
change with—
(what caused the change?)
Britain
USA