Aussie War Cry Slides
Historical Intelligence File #1939-45
Australia's
War Call
Why did they go? Analyzing the power of propaganda.
Commonwealth of Australia
The World at War
By 1939, the world was once again on the brink of collapse. When Britain declared war on Germany, Prime Minister Robert Menzies famously stated:
"It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war."
The Key Question
Why did thousands of Australians—some only teenagers—volunteer to fight in a war thousands of miles away?
Was it duty, fear, or something else entirely?
The Power of Propaganda
Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Emotion
Targets fear, pride, or guilt.
Simplicity
Uses catchphrases and bold images.
Action
Always tells you to DO something.
Primary Source Analysis
Source A:
The Mother Country
Visual Description:
A poster showing a British lion and an Australian cub standing side-by-side. The text reads: "The Empire is at War! Help the Old Country!"
Why would this work? Many Australians still saw themselves as British citizens of the Commonwealth.
Loyalty to the Empire
[Insert Image of Empire Propaganda Poster]
Defense of Australia
[Insert Image of "It's Closer Than You Think" Poster]
Primary Source Analysis
Source B:
Defending Our Shores
A map of Australia with giant shadows creeping down from the north. The text reads: "It's closer than you think! He's coming south!"
This poster targeted FEAR. After the fall of Singapore and the bombing of Darwin (1942), the war felt very real for Australians.
Source C: The Call of Mateship
!
"Join your mates in the A.I.F. Don't let them down! Australia needs every man today."
Key themes: Duty, Masculinity, and Social Pressure.
Analysis Focus:
- Why would "Mateship" be a powerful recruitment tool in 1940s Australia?
- What is the implied consequence of NOT joining? (Shame, letting friends down).
Using the sources provided, why did Australians join World War II?
A
Loyalty to Empire
B
Fear of Invasion
C
Mateship & Duty
Record your structured response on the investigation worksheet.
Propaganda Investigation Worksheet
War Call Investigation
Department of Information: Propaganda Analysis Division
Name:
Date:
Objective:
Examine primary source propaganda to determine the primary motivations for Australian enlistment during World War II.
Part 1: Source Deconstruction
| Source | Key Imagery / Text | Targeted Emotion or Belief |
|---|
| Source A | | |
| (Empire Loyalty) | | |
| Source B | | |
| (Fear of Invasion) | | |
| Source C | | |
| (Mateship/Duty) | | |
Part 2: The Toolbelt of Persuasion
Propaganda often uses "The Big Three" techniques. Find an example from any of the sources for each.
1. Emotional Appeal
How did the poster try to make the viewer FEEL? (Fear, pride, guilt, etc.)
2. Call to Action
What specific action was the viewer being asked to take immediately?
The Big Question
Using the sources provided, why did Australians join World War II?
Constructed Response (P.E.E.L Paragraph Structure Recommended)
Official Document
Classified: Education
FORM: AUS-WW2-RECRUIT-001
Investigation Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key
Confidential
Aussie War Cry: Propaganda Investigation Guide
Part 1: Source Deconstruction
Source A
Empire Loyalty
Key Imagery/Text:
British Lion and Australian Cub. "The Empire is at War! Help the Old Country!"
Targeted Emotion/Belief:
Duty to the "Mother Country" (Britain). A sense of family and historical obligation. Pride in the British Empire.
Source B
Fear of Invasion
Key Imagery/Text:
Map of Australia with "shadows" from the North. "It's closer than you think! He's coming south!"
Targeted Emotion/Belief:
Fear, survival, and defense of home. Fear of the Japanese threat specifically after the fall of Singapore.
Source C
Mateship/Duty
Key Imagery/Text:
"Join your mates in the A.I.F. Don't let them down!"
Targeted Emotion/Belief:
Social pressure and guilt. The idea that a "real man" supports his friends. The unique Australian identity of "mateship".
Part 2: Techniques
1. Emotional Appeal
Fear in Source B (invasion threat) or Guilt/Pride in Source C (mateship). Propaganda bypasses logic to trigger an immediate physical/emotional response.
2. Call to Action
Enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). Buying war bonds. Joining the workforce.
Sample High-Level Response
"Australians joined World War II for a variety of reasons, heavily influenced by government propaganda. Primarily, many felt a deep loyalty to the British Empire, as seen in Source A, which framed the war as a duty to the 'Old Country.' However, as the conflict moved closer to home, motivations shifted toward fear and self-defense. Source B highlights how the threat of invasion—'It's closer than you think'—was used to mobilize the nation to protect its own borders. Finally, social pressures and the cultural value of 'mateship' played a crucial role; Source C encouraged enlistment by suggesting that to stay behind was to let down one's friends. Together, these sources show that enlistment was driven by a complex mix of imperial loyalty, national fear, and personal honor."
Grading Rubric Tips:
- Proficient: Mentions at least 2 sources and links them to specific enlistment motivations.
- Exemplary: Uses specific quotes from sources and identifies the emotional triggers (e.g., fear, duty) being targeted.
