Curtin Speech: Australia goes to war with Japan (1941)
Prime Minister John Curtin calls all Australians to put on their boots and get to work.
EVERYONE will have to make BIG changes to their lifestyles so that Australia can get through the war
EVERYONE will have to make BIG changes to their lifestyles so that Australia can get through the war
ACTIVITY: Read the abridged (shortened) speech and answer the following questions:
1. What feelings do you get from this?
2. If this was asked of you today, what would you be willing to give up? What would be too much?
1. What feelings do you get from this?
2. If this was asked of you today, what would you be willing to give up? What would be too much?
"Men and women of Australia, we are at war with Japan...
Australia, therefore, being a nation that believes in a way of life which has freedom and liberty as its cornerstones, goes to the battle stations in defence of the free way of living. Our course is clear, our cause is just – as has been the case ever since September 1939, when we stood in the path of Hitlerism and declared that we would stand out to the end against ruthless and wanton aggression. I say, then, to the people of Australia: Give of your best in the service of this nation. There is a place and part for all of us. Each must take his or her place in the service of the nation, for the nation itself is in peril. This is our darkest hour. Let that be fully realised. Our efforts in the past two years must be as nothing compared with the efforts we must now put forward...
One thing remains, and on it depends our very lives. That thing is the cooperation, the strength, and the willpower of you, the people of the Commonwealth. Without it, we are indeed lost. Men and women of Australia: The call is to you, for your courage; your physical and mental ability; your inflexible determination that we, as a nation of free people, shall survive. My appeal to you is in the name of Australia, for Australia is the stake in this conflict. The thread of peace has snapped – only the valour of our fighting forces, backed by the very uttermost of which we are capable in factory and workshop, can knit that thread again into security. Let there be no idle hand. The road of service is ahead. Let us all tread it firmly, victoriously...
We here, in this spacious land, where, for more than 150 years, peace and security have prevailed, are now called upon to meet the external aggressor. The enemy presses from without. I have said that our forces are at their battle stations. They are not alone."
Australia, therefore, being a nation that believes in a way of life which has freedom and liberty as its cornerstones, goes to the battle stations in defence of the free way of living. Our course is clear, our cause is just – as has been the case ever since September 1939, when we stood in the path of Hitlerism and declared that we would stand out to the end against ruthless and wanton aggression. I say, then, to the people of Australia: Give of your best in the service of this nation. There is a place and part for all of us. Each must take his or her place in the service of the nation, for the nation itself is in peril. This is our darkest hour. Let that be fully realised. Our efforts in the past two years must be as nothing compared with the efforts we must now put forward...
One thing remains, and on it depends our very lives. That thing is the cooperation, the strength, and the willpower of you, the people of the Commonwealth. Without it, we are indeed lost. Men and women of Australia: The call is to you, for your courage; your physical and mental ability; your inflexible determination that we, as a nation of free people, shall survive. My appeal to you is in the name of Australia, for Australia is the stake in this conflict. The thread of peace has snapped – only the valour of our fighting forces, backed by the very uttermost of which we are capable in factory and workshop, can knit that thread again into security. Let there be no idle hand. The road of service is ahead. Let us all tread it firmly, victoriously...
We here, in this spacious land, where, for more than 150 years, peace and security have prevailed, are now called upon to meet the external aggressor. The enemy presses from without. I have said that our forces are at their battle stations. They are not alone."
What changes did Australians make at home to help with the war effort?
In class we will watch a 7 minute video by ABC, called ' Australia Under Attack". Unfortunately this video cannot be shared online. If you have missed class, we can arrange a time to watch it or you could do the other activities here to cover the information.
ACTIVITY: While watching the video we tried to answer the following questions:
1. How can you tell that Australians were afraid of invasion? What do they do?
2. What was industry (factories and building companies) asked to do?
3. How did access to food and and other types of goods change?
4. How did life for women change?
5. Who were the volunteer defence corp.
6. What did air raid precautions organisations do?
7. What were Australians fighting for according to Prime Minister John Curtin?
ACTIVITY: While watching the video we tried to answer the following questions:
1. How can you tell that Australians were afraid of invasion? What do they do?
2. What was industry (factories and building companies) asked to do?
3. How did access to food and and other types of goods change?
4. How did life for women change?
5. Who were the volunteer defence corp.
6. What did air raid precautions organisations do?
7. What were Australians fighting for according to Prime Minister John Curtin?
Digging deeper about:
Coastwatchers, The Volunteer Defence Corps, Rationing, Internment camps, growing government power, Childrens' experience, and conscription.
ACTIVITY: Working together you will create a presentation including one image and 5 dot points to present to the class. Everyone will create notes from your presentation. YOUR Information will be added to this website.