1. Lesson 7 -Australia Threatened

2. From last Lesson
Explain using an example why technology was important in
WW2

3. Learning Intentions!
!
• Explain the experiences of Australians during World War II (such as
prisoners of war (POWs), the Battle of Britain, Kokoda, the Fall of Singapore)
• Explain the impact of World War II on the Australian home front and the use
of wartime government controls (conscription, manpower controls, rationing
and censorship)
!

4. How did Australia respond to the outbreak of World War II?
After Nazi Germany invaded Poland, Britain and France
declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. Australian
Prime Minister Robert Menzies immediately announced that
'as a result, Australia is also at war'. Australia raised a Second
AIF (Australian Imperial Force) of volunteer soldiers to fight
alongside British forces.

5. Questions to consider as you watch the next clip
Where were three of the four AIF divisions fighting by 1940-41?
Why was the AIF 8th Division sent to Malaya?
Why did Japan want to capture British Malaya and the Dutch
East Indies?
Why was Singapore of great strategic importance?
What was Britain's 'Singapore strategy' and what is the
narrator suggesting by stating that the strategy would be
'found to be bankrupt'?

7. After clip Questions
Australians had fought in the wars of the British Empire since
the late 19th century and had made enormous sacrifices
supporting Britain during World War I.
!
In what ways do you think that this could have contributed to a
false certainty that Britain would always defend Australia?
!
Was it realistic to assume that Britain would be able to defend
Australia while fighting powerful European enemies?

8. Australia Exposed

9. Complete questions 1-4

10. Exit Question
Why was the “Fall of Singapore” significant to Australia