DP History Questionbank
8. Developments in Australia and New Zealand, and in the Pacific Islands 1941‑2000
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Description
This section focuses on Japan’s expansion into Southeast Asia after December 1941. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, also in December 1941, meant that the United States had become involved in the Pacific war. The fall of Singapore in February 1942 undermined Australia and New Zealand’s reliance on Britain and they subsequently looked to the United States for help to combat the Japanese threat. The defeat of Japan altered strategic thinking in Australia and New Zealand, both joining in alliances with the United States and both following a strongly anti-Communist line after the Communist success in China. Both countries, but particularly Australia, encouraged immigration from the UK, from Europe and, by the 1960s, from Asia. Both were active in international organizations and played more independent roles in world affairs, particularly in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Ties with Britain weakened and economic links were forged with Japan and, later, with the emerging economies of China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
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Society, culture and the growth of national identity
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Immigration to Australia or New Zealand after the war and the effects on society
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Curtin, Chifley, Menzies, Whitlam, Hawke/Keating and Howard governments in Australia
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Struggle between the Labour party and the National party in New Zealand
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Attitudes and policies with regard to aboriginals in Australia and towards the Maori and other minorities in New Zealand
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Australia and New Zealand: foreign policy and international alignments
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Economic policies and realignment including effects of Britain joining the EU; the economic rise of Japan, Southeast Asia and China; the emergence of independent Pacific Island states
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Cultural developments—impact of European, Asian and American culture and development of multicultural societies
