2-WWII+Australia+&+New+Zealand+HF

The Homefront was heavily influenced by the propaganda of the government. The Government had to take on a new task of educating people on how to protect themselves and their country. In turn the government granted an unprecedented amount of power onto itself. Civil liberties were also severely restricted. New censorship laws applied to radio and newspapers, which by April 1940, were only allowed to print Government supplied, war information, even mail was censored. Bad news was unreported or reported with a heavy dose of optimism - wherever possible. While they were better prepared for this war than the first world war, there were some who felt unsure. All major political parties, churches and newspapers supported the war. The ones who opposed it were pacifists (Jenovah’s Witness) and supporters of the Soviet Union (hardcore socialists). Most civilians went on with their lives unaffected by the war. It was not until 1941, that the civilians felt the reality of the war with the failure of the Greek campaign. With the Japan’s entry to the war, the threat of attack became more urgent. People on the home front were expected to make economic and social sacrifices for the war effort. The Government under Prime Minister Curtin launched a campaign of “Austerity” in August 1942 and home-front propaganda accentuated the concept of “equality of sacrifice”. People were expected to work harder and avoid luxuries and waste, which most of them were basic necessities. Despite the difficulties and hardships experienced on the home front, many Australians remember this time for its sense of unity, a time when people worked hard and pulled together.
 * ** How may the Home Front’s awareness** ** of the war’s objectives and nature be characterized? How did __propaganda__ ** **affect the mindset at home?**

Since this was the war that shifted the world into a more total-war scheme, a lot was demanded from the home front as well as from the war front. All citizens were able to contribute to the war effort in a meaningful way, not that many had a choice. Even a housewife cooking meals had an emphasis on "the kitchen front" because she was aware of the how precious the fuel and even groceries were. Some Australian towns such as Drouin had sent more than 150 of the total 1100 town inhabitants off to war and all of Drouin's local produce, butter, flax, butter and cheese went to the war effort that would have previously been revenue for them. The challenges that these people faced during the war and their hopes for a better post war era contributed to the founding of the new modern society.
 * ** What were the __direct contributions__ of the Home Front to the war effort? **

The war was a huge boom to the Australian and New Zealand’s economy. Both primary and secondary could be purchased and sold. However, rationing and restrictions were placed on civilians meant that few consumer goods were available for them because most of it was shipped to the war front for the soldiers. It left a strong base for its economic future. New Zealand prospered greatly during the war era. The Labour party was in power and promoted unionization and the welfare state. There was increasing co-operations with the Americans which worked to their favor. The nation spent £574 million on clothing, of which 43% came from taxes, 41% from loans and 16% from American Lend Lease. This was a program where the United States supplied the Allied powers with Materiel (war supplies). It helped Australia and New Zealand and other Allied powers to go become even more self-sufficient. It was an era of prosperity as the national income soared from £158 million in 1937 to £292 million in 1944. Rationing and price controls kept inflation to only 14% during 1939–45, which was very low compared to other countries facing difficulties.
 * ** What were the __costs & benefits__ of the war to the Home Front, to include but not limited to goods/services/resources? Use a __case study__ ** **to illustrate.**

As in most Western countries, the role of women expanded but mostly only for the duration of the war. When men came back from fighting, they resumed their positions and women had to step down again. The nature of the war and the threat to Australia united the people in the homefront. By the end of the war thousandths of women had joined the women’s auxiliary services - the WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force), the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service) and the WRANS (Women's Royal Australian Naval Service). Even school children were expected to collected bottles, newspapers, old tyres or anything else that could be recycled for the war effort. Women had to cut down on fuels and materials (like clothes and etc). There was an unprecedented demand for food and other products like cotton for the home front, war front and American troops who were starting to arrive in Australia in large numbers to defend from attacks. The impending threat of attack was evident and the government passed the War Precautions Act in 1914 that dictated the price fixing and censorship of publications and letters. It was a harbinger that brought significant changes for the women in the post war society. Women underwent a profound liberating experience.
 * ** How can life for __women & youth__ on the Home Front be characterized? Use __case studies__ to illustrate. **

Alpert, Felicity. "Reflecting on Civilian Life in Australia During WWII." Australian Christian College International, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. . "Australian Women in WWII (1939-45)." Department of Veteran's Affairs. Australian Government, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .

[|"Second World War Official Histories."Home. Australian War Memorial, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <] http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/second_world_war/>

"The Australian Home Front during World War 2 - Overview." ANZAC. ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. < http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww2/homefront/overview.html>