What was the relationship between Australia and America in World War 2?

Answer 1

How Did Australia's relationship with England and the USA change during World War II?

At the beginning of World War 2 Australia's links with Britain were close but this wasn't the case at the end of the war, Australia had looked towards America for its own safety as Britain had proven that they weren't powerful as they use to be, the fall of Singapore being an example that effected Australia's links with Britain as they surrounded without even trying to fight back.

John Curtin made a new years speech about Australia looking towards America as he believed that Britain wouldn't be able to defend Australia if they were under attack so he decided to make Australia's links with America stronger. Curtin had arguments with Churchill the Prime minister of Britain about bringing Australia's troops back form the Middle East as Churchill moved them there without even asking Curtin. Churchill apologised and sent the troops back to Australia's mainland to defend as what Curtin wanted, this weakening the links between Australia and Britain more.

With America by our sides Australian fought the Pacific War together, after the war America, New Zealand and Australia singed a mutual defence agreement.

Can I just add, that the relationship was not between England and such forth, it was between Britain. The Scot's and the Irish had a great deal to play in the British empire - Going as far as Glasgow being known as the "Second City of the Empire". Also, the founding of Britain was due to the Scottish king inheriting the English throne.

Answer 2

Answer 1

Australia and America did not have a big alliance, if no allience at all before 1941-1942. The way Australia and America got an alliance was that Australia was feeling threatened by Japan entering the war [joining with Germany, Italy, and the French]. We had a fall out with Britain Because Australia wanted to bring the 8th division home but Britain wanted them to go elsewhere(I think it was Burma.) So we went and turned to America for help. And America was very willing because they wanted to get back at japan because of pearl harbor. Australia was very weakened and without the Americans help Australia would've lost the battle and been invaded. Pearl harbor was almost beneficial to Australia otherwise there would have been no help from America. they won the battle against the Japanese in the coral sea And Australia and America have been good friends ever since.

Answer 2

While the above answer is mostly correct, Japan actually did not actually intend to invade Australia as it was beyond their capabilites and resources.

Answer 3

Military history of Australia during World War II

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Australia entered World War II shortly after the invasion of Poland, declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its history; its casualties from enemy action during the war were 27,073 killed and 23,477 wounded.

In effect, Australia fought two wars between 1939 and 1945 - one against Germany and Italy as part of the British Commonwealth's war effort and the other against Japan in alliance with the United States and Britain. While most Australian forces were withdrawn from the Mediterranean following the outbreak of war in the Pacific, they continued to take part in large numbers in the air offensive against Germany. From 1942 until early 1944, Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength in the South West Pacific. The military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1944, but continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended.

World War II contributed to major changes in the nation's economy, military and foreign policy. The war accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from the UK to the US. The effects of the war also fostered the development of a more diverse and cosmopolitan Australian society.