World War II did not only change the military involvement of the nation but also its economy, society, and government. World War II brought about lasting changes in Australia, particularly in economic mobilisation efforts and changing gender roles, as well as the expanded role of the government in terms of national security. The profound effect of the Second World War induced the lowest point of unemployment in Australian history due to the meteoric production of military manufacturing jobs. Source A describes how many of these jobs were taken up by women, jumping in to serve the men fighting abroad, changing the way Australia saw women in the workplace. Previously looked down upon, these girls developed their hard-working reputation and gained respect for their ethic, a key step …show more content…
Industries just holding on gained new meaning and life when their focus turned to war efforts; the ripples extended through wages and newfound productivity laid groundwork for expansion in Australia following the end of the war. Continuing, a plethora of firsthand accounts amongst Australian veterans concludes that following a brief period of rejection of the war by civilians, Australia grew a surplus of young men chasing heroism, to prove themselves abroad for the sake of reputation and ‘six bob (shillings) a day’, explained by Source B. Close to a million Australians enrolled to fight in the war, feeling ready and confident after the sheer shock that was the first world war to defend their homefront. Because the labour and resources were needed elsewhere, rationing on the home front meant that the average Australian had to give things up, this is demonstrated by Visual Source D. Restrictions on food items, such as butter and meat, clothing, and petrol, became a part of everyday life. With this shift in life, there had to be a common effort toward sharing scarcities and supporting the war effort; thus, there was a sense of shared responsibility and