History Test Summary

The four factors that lead to the World War II are

 Treaty of Versailles
 THe Great Depression
 The rise of the Nazi Party
 The policy of appeasement
How did World War II start?
 Germany invaded Poland
 Allies declare war on Germany
 Germany invade France, Belgium, etc
 Then Hitler invades Russia

Axis Power (Opponent) Allied Power

Germany Great Britain

Italy United states

Japan France

Sovient Union

Reasons for enlisting in WW11:

 Duty, nationalism and work- Duty was the first reason men gave as
their reason for enlisting. Nationalism or patriotism was seen as
pride in one's nation. Enlisting in the army provided any men with a
job.
 Adventure- Many soldiers got the opportunity to travel the world and
so taking on the role.

Enlistments fell slowly after 1943.

The criteria for enlistment changed over the course of the war. There were
specific limitations of age and height. Some soldiers lied about their age
in order to enlist. Manpower regulations was when certain people employed
in industries couldn’t enlist because their occupation were deemed to be
too important. Around 990 900 Australians enlisted for service in World War
II. They took up jobs in being in the (A.I.F), (R.A.A.F). From 1942 to till
end of war, enlistment to serve in the Australian military became
compulsory for Australian citizens over the age of 18.

What was the Holocaust?

Genocide is the act or process used to kill an entire ethnic race or
group.The holocaust systematically and brutally killed more than six
million European Jews. It was led by Adolf Hitler. It involved mass
murdering of people, in particular Jewish People. Who ever didn’t fit in
Hitler’s category of German, were murdered, including disabled people,
POWS, religious and political opponents. From the moment of identification,
victims were herded into ghettos and onto a cattle train. Conditions on the
train were crowded, with people forced to stand up without water or food
for days before arriving at concentration camps. Upon arrival, they entered
special buildings in large naked groups. The doors were locked and Zyklon B
gas pellets dropped onto the floor killing millions of victims.

Impact of the Aeroplane

The aeroplane provided a way to looking at an enemy’s movements, ships,
military build up or weakness. Therefore Hitler used this tactic to
paralyse an enemy before sending in swift ground forces to destroy them.
Bombers destroyed key targets to prevent enemy from transporting and
communicating with its own force. The Pearl harbour war was fought with
submarines and no soldiers.

POW
All troops captured at Singapore, tens of thousand of British, Indian,
Malay and Singaporean troops and 22 000 Australians became Japanese
prisoners of war (POW). They were sent to Changi POW camp in Singapore.
POWs lived a life of work, beatings and torture, were deprived of food and
medical attention, and suffered “random choice” death. 70 000 POWs were
kept in a room which was usually with five men in a room originally built
for one person. The harsh conditions caused illnesses such as malaria,
dysentery and infections from wounds. In 1943, Japan’s military needed to
supply its troops who were fighting with Allies in Burma so decided to
build a railway to link Thailand to Burma. About 60 000 Allied POWs and 20
000 Asian labourers were forced to build 420 kilometres of track by hand
through dense jungle.

Atomic Warfare
In July 1945, Japan refused to surrender unconditionally. Soon after,
President Truman stated that an atomic bomb was the only way to end WWII
quickly. On 6 August 1945, an atomic bomb, dropped by US B-29 Enola Gay,
destroyed Hiroshima, Japan. About 80 000 people were killed
instantaneously. Three days later, the B-29 Bockscar released a second
atomic bomb on Nagasaki where around 50 000 people were killed. By 1950, it
is estimated that another 200 000 people died as a result of radiating
poisoning and related causes. Six days after the second atomic bomb Japan
surrendered.

Australian women in World War II

World War II saw a major growth in the role and status of thousands of
women. They took on the roles of men when they went to war by taking on
roles such as radio operators, farmers, mechanics clerks, drivers, pilots,
etc. Although women were not permitted to serve in battle, approximately
3500 Australian military nurses served in battle zones. The Federal
Government organized women into groups to support key military needs.
 Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF)- Women performed most
air force roles, including skilled technical work as signallers,
pilots and mechanics. Formed in March 1941..
 Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS)- Single women aged between 18-
45 years of age. Performed skilled technical work as
telecommunications officers and mechanics, administration work and
filled service roles as cooks and support staff. Formed in August
1941
 Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS)- Most members took on
work as telegraphists, clerks, drivers, cooks, stewardess and
orderlies. Around 3000 women served over the course of the war.
Introduced first in October 1942.
 Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA)- Performed roles in agricultural
life, and were therefore crucial to food production. If women were
living on the farm they had to work elsewhere as they were paid by
the farmers. Formed in July 1942. Membership was 3000.
 Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS)- Most women were from
the Red Cross or St John Ambulance volunteers. More than 8500 women
served as nurses, nurse’s aides and technicians in military hospital
in Australia and overseas. Formed in 1942
When Japan entered the war in December 1941, 74 000 women were directly
involved in war work. By March 1943, these figures had increased to 184
000.
After World War II women went to their homes as mother and wives, their
skill was deeply valued by both the government and soldiers, even though
they were paid half of men’s pay.

Post-War Australia
The total number of World War II deaths from all causes was more than 50
million. Almost one million Australian men and women out of a population of
seven million served in the military. At the close of war, Australian
soldiers began returning from all over the world in various states of
health. Returned soldiers were granted government assistance to ease the
difficulties of living and working and recieved war service. New
technologies such as mowers, washing machines and refrigerators were being
produced as a result of World War II.