Australia in World War II Trivia Quiz

Answer: Several hours later

Australia was part of the British Empire and felt a duty of loyalty to the "Mother Country", so some hours after Britain declared war on Germany, Australia followed suit.

Answer: Singapore

Singapore, which had been modernized at great expense in 1937-39, was Britain's "guarantee" to Australia. If war came close to the continent, then British navy would defend its "daughter" country. The fall of Singapore was significant as it left Australia dangerously exposed to attack from Japan.

Answer: A combination of these

The fall of Singapore left Australia vulnerable to the Japanese. The attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese brought the USA into WWII, and so Australia saw them as a "fresh" source of help. The bombing of Darwin brought the Second World War to the Australian homeland, so they looked to America.

Answer: Fighting at the front

Women did not fight directly in World War II for Australia. However, WWII presented a major change in their role that remained even after the actual war. Many women took up jobs on farms and in factories that men left behind, with many remaining the breadwinners after the war.

The Women's Land Army helped the war effort, along with other female groups, helping on farms and elsewhere in the economy. Female nurses played a vital role in World War II.

Answer: United States

When Australia made her call to the USA for support during the war, America sent an army to help defend its new ally, and the American presence had profound effects on the Australian social and economic scene, for example, the introduction of Coca-Cola.

Answer: They saw how the African American troops were treated and this inspired them to seek further rights

Many Aboriginal people saw the African American troops in Australia with skills, money and more civil rights, and some of them even communicated with these "brave friends", and this inspired to campaign for civil rights.

Answer: It saw a huge boom

As many Australian primary products were purchased as could be produced, and secondary industries manufactured many new goods for the Services. Rationing and restrictions meant that there were few consumer goods available, so personal savings rose. Manpower planning for essential industries also meant that there was full employment.

Answer: Chinese

A number of Germans, Italians and (from 1941) Japanese were interned, in case they rebelled and were an "enemy within" to fear. Many of those interned were sent to farms to work.

Answer: John Curtin

Bob Hawke was Prime Minister of Australia from 1983-1991. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister of Britain from 1940-45 and again from 1951-55. Joseph Lyons was Prime Minister of Australia a decade before the War.

Answer: The admission of increased numbers of displaced migrants

Multiculturalism became a major part of Australia following World War II, with the continent taking in displaced migrants from northern and eastern European countries. The other three choices are fictional, and never occurred after the War.