World War II immensely changed society every country in the world. This was especially evident in Australia, where women began to have increasing social responsibilities and where women working became more acceptable due to their roles in the war. As well as this, Indigenous soldiers’ involvement in WWII changed the attitudes of other people in society towards them, and contributed to them gaining rights later in history. Finally, WWII lead to a higher level of migration by refugees displaced or discriminated against during the war.
The involvement of women in World War II, affected their role in Australian society after the war. During the war, over 900,000 men were in the armed forces (National Archives of Australia, 2018), causing labour …show more content…
However, as they were not of European descent they were not liable to participate in any military service. It was not until 10 years after WW2 broke out that these restrictions were terminated (Australian War Memorial, 2018). In the second world war, an estimated 3000 Indigenous Australians served in the 2nd AIF and militia (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). They served under the same conditions as the ‘whites’, and it seemed that between soldiers there was generally not much racism. However, during the war Indigenous Australians were not even considered Australians and weren’t allowed to vote, according to the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902. It was not until after the second world war in 1967 that the Australian constitution was amended, and Aboriginal people were given the same rights as other Australian citizens (David Hill, 2014). Serving in the war gave Indigenous Australians pride within themselves and the confidence to stand up for the rights they deserved. Unfortunately, after the war there wasn’t any significant change in the social status of indigenous Australians. After fighting for their country for six years, they still came home to the same discrimination as before. Many were banned from Returned and Services League clubs, except on Anzac Day. It was not until 17 years later that they gained the right to vote (AWM, …show more content…
This eventually lead to the gradual dismantling of the white Australia policy, and later to the referendums that allowed Indigenous Australians to become citizens of Australia, instead of being classified as flora and fauna. Due to the displacement of millions of European people after the war, a large-scale program of migration to Australia began. During this time there was an economic boom, as there was a desperate shortage of labour. A belief grew that having substantial population growth would be essential for Australia’s future. These factors and others led to the formation of a federal immigration portfolio in 1945. The government encouraged the migration of displaced persons from battle-damaged Europe, to seek refuge and start a new life in our country. By 1950, almost 200 000 people had arrived. The post war immigration program impacted Australia in many ways. Economically, immigrants were an important contributor. Migrants also had to pay taxes, and according to research they contribute more in taxes than they consume in benefits and government goods/services. The population composition of our country was also significantly affect by migration. When WWII came to its end, 90 percent of Australia’s population of 7 million were born in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of statistics, in June 2011 the estimated ERP
The involvement of women in World War II, affected their role in Australian society after the war. During the war, over 900,000 men were in the armed forces (National Archives of Australia, 2018), causing labour …show more content…
However, as they were not of European descent they were not liable to participate in any military service. It was not until 10 years after WW2 broke out that these restrictions were terminated (Australian War Memorial, 2018). In the second world war, an estimated 3000 Indigenous Australians served in the 2nd AIF and militia (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2018). They served under the same conditions as the ‘whites’, and it seemed that between soldiers there was generally not much racism. However, during the war Indigenous Australians were not even considered Australians and weren’t allowed to vote, according to the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902. It was not until after the second world war in 1967 that the Australian constitution was amended, and Aboriginal people were given the same rights as other Australian citizens (David Hill, 2014). Serving in the war gave Indigenous Australians pride within themselves and the confidence to stand up for the rights they deserved. Unfortunately, after the war there wasn’t any significant change in the social status of indigenous Australians. After fighting for their country for six years, they still came home to the same discrimination as before. Many were banned from Returned and Services League clubs, except on Anzac Day. It was not until 17 years later that they gained the right to vote (AWM, …show more content…
This eventually lead to the gradual dismantling of the white Australia policy, and later to the referendums that allowed Indigenous Australians to become citizens of Australia, instead of being classified as flora and fauna. Due to the displacement of millions of European people after the war, a large-scale program of migration to Australia began. During this time there was an economic boom, as there was a desperate shortage of labour. A belief grew that having substantial population growth would be essential for Australia’s future. These factors and others led to the formation of a federal immigration portfolio in 1945. The government encouraged the migration of displaced persons from battle-damaged Europe, to seek refuge and start a new life in our country. By 1950, almost 200 000 people had arrived. The post war immigration program impacted Australia in many ways. Economically, immigrants were an important contributor. Migrants also had to pay taxes, and according to research they contribute more in taxes than they consume in benefits and government goods/services. The population composition of our country was also significantly affect by migration. When WWII came to its end, 90 percent of Australia’s population of 7 million were born in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of statistics, in June 2011 the estimated ERP