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Factors That Led To The Switch In Australia During Ww2

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Why would Australia switch its alliances to America over England during World War 2?

Nearing the end of the Second World War, Australia was faced with a new look on politics and international affairs. Several factors lead to the switch in Australia's alliances, and one crucial component was the fall of Singapore to the Japanese. The ANZUS treaty, formed between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, had a significant effect on the countries involved, and worldwide. Impacts in, and on Australia were felt almost instantly, and can still be noted in today's modern society where the relationships between Australia and the United Kingdom, and Australia and America are fortified internationally.

Prior to World War Two, Australia was apart of the British commonwealth, and still is today, but during the war, Australia was at great risk because of it's geographical location. Many felt that support from the British was scarce, and as the Japanese continued fighting in the Pacific, the risk of attack on Australia was imminent. This was shown by the infamous bombing of Darwin on the 19th of February 1942. Source 1 shows a map of Japanese occupied areas in the Pacific at it's peak. Correlating with the map, the …show more content…

Many citizens of Australia felt that with the switch in alliance, they would lose connections with Britain. Being an independent country for less than 100 years, they perceived that the country was too young, socially and economically. Source 2 shows the US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles signing the ANZAC treaty. With the confirmation of the treaty, Australians realised that we were branching away from our 'mother land' and it created a new era in Australian society. In contemporary terms, the effects of the alliance change is almost non-existent. Strong relationships between Australia, America and Britain are secure with all three countries working

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