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Period: to
Australia and the Modern World~1918-Present
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Wall Street Crash
The very unfortunate depression that occurred during the 1930's was the most catastrophic market crash in the history of the U.S.A. However The Wall St Crash affected most of the world's nations and Australia was no exception. Infact, because Australia relied so heavily on their exports of wool and wheat, they were considered to be one of the hardest-hit countries in the Western-world. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
Due to the high birthrate that Japan suffered after the 1930's, the country became hugely over populated and started getting crowded. Manchuria had over 200,000 square kilometres of free land that was the perfect solution to Japan's problems. Japan already had an army assembled in the area during the depression. The invasion affected many Australian immigrants living in China both mentally and physically. It changed a lot of their lives forever. -
Pearl Harbour
Pearl Harbour was a surprise millitary attack on the United States naval base which was conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Because the United States' navy was so few in number, they had to call upon help from their fellow allies. Australia being one of those allies responded to the call. Ships and aircrafts were destroyed, soldiers killed and many more wounded. The Pearl Harbour attack affected many countries that were bound to alliances with the U.S.A. -
Nagasaki Atomic Bombing
During the final stages of World War 2, Japan was hit by an atomic bomb by the U.S.A. The reasoning behind this bombing was to end the pacific war. This was also the first time an atomic bomb had been used in warfare. The nation suffered in the following generations, as children were born with deficiencies and birth defects. The Australian citizens saw firsthand what an atomic bomb could do. This then led to Australia avoiding the usage of these bombs, which in turn saved many lives. -
White Australia Policy
When Australia became a federation in 1901, the Immigration Restriction Act came into place. This meant that immigrants of Brittish background had priority of coming into the country over those of African-American or Asian background. All of this changed in 1949 when the Menzies government took charge. Together, the government dismantled the policies allowing for Australia to become the multicultural country it is today. -
Snowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountain's Scheme was the plan to divert the waters of the region to provide increased electricity generating capacity and to provide irrigation water the Western Australia. The idea was greeted with great enthusiasm. Construction began in 1949 and took 25 years to complete. The Snowy Scheme is also considered economically important for Australia, supplying vital water to the farming industries of inland New South Wales and Victoria. The system's power stations also produce up to ten -
Montgomery Bus Strike
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was an important event in history, It's one of the most dramatic U.S civil rights movement as it began a political contest all around the world. Basically a black woman refused to give up her seat to a white person. She was arrested and this sparked much controversy and won over people such as Martin Luther King. Some say this event led to the 1967 referendum, which completely changed Australia. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The tension between the two super powers the US and the USSR caused the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although no missiles were fired, both nations felt threatened and the whole thing coud have developed into something devastating. It could have been the start of a nuclear conflict. This event then prompted Australia to start teaching survival methods and ways to counteract a nuclear disaster. Examples of this are "duck under the table" sort of stuff. -
1967 Referendum
As a result of the Montgomery Bus Strike, debates started occurring all over the world. The 1967 referendum was when the question was asked to determine whether two references in the Australian Constitution, which discriminated against Aboriginal people, should be removed. This law would grant black people and white people to have equal rights.
