what country did australia rely on in WW2?

Question

this is really hard to find. OH and also
what country was australia's main trading BEFORE WW2
thnx

Answer 1

Our main trading partner before WW2 was Britain.

In WW2 we expected that we would be able to rely on Britain (and especially Britains navy) to help fend of Japan. Hence we sent most of our Army to Europe/North Africa for Britain to use as they saw fit. Unfortunately British resistance in SE Asia crumbled - the main base in Singapore without firing a shot. Churchill then made it clear that he wasn't interested in Asia, just Europe. He asked Australia to sacrifice itself for the 'mother country'. Very fortunately Menzies conservative government had crumbled and the new PM Curtin fought Churchill tooth and nail until we got our army back.

At this time, Curtin made a famous speech that made it clear that from now on the USA would be our main ally, in Britains place. This suited the USA as they really needed a base in the South Pacific to stage the war from.

The Australian army then defeated the Japanese 1st army in New Guinea. This was the Japanese army that had done all the fighting and conquering of SE Asia. In this we were assisted by the American Navy who prevented reinforcements and resupply to the Japanese. New Guinea was where the Japanese's back was broken. And it was by Australian soldiers.

From here, the Japanese 2nd army (conscripts) was pushed back to Japan. Macarthur, the american general, was extremely egotistical and obsesses with publicity. He insisted that American troops fight the battles with glory, and Australia was relegated to fighting the more tactical, but equally bloody, battles.

So in a sense we relied on the USA, in place of Britain, during WW2, as we both had the same goal - the defeat of the Japanese - and we didn't have the manpower or navy to do it all ourselves. But the USA didn't win the war by themselves!

Answer 2

Up until the fall of Singapore, we relied on England as a means of military support. Post Singapore and the sudden threat upon Australia shores by the Japanese, we called our troops back from Europe/Africa/Middle East to defend the homeland and looked to the US for such support.

Keep in mind, whilst we relied on these military powers, a lot of Aussie blood was relied upon to support foreign countries in their quest for peace. Eg; saving Churchill's **** in Galipoli.

AS for trading partners, the UK was THE MAJOR trading partner. Post-WWII they still were. It wasn't until the late 1950's and early 1960's that this began to refocus upon Asia/US.

Good Luck with the homework - Don't forgot your citations!

Answer 3

Australie relied mainly on the United States in WW2! England was bogged down in Eurpoe and fighting for it's life there it did not have the resourse to give the amouht of military aid needed to Australia!

Admiral Halsy's carrier task force attacking the Japanese Fleet in the battle of the Coral Sea most likely stopped a Japanese invasiion of Autralia.

Also U.S. sent a large detachment of U.S, Marines to Australia in the event Japan tried to invade Australia.The Marines sent to Australia to reenforce the Aurstalian army were the ones who later invaded Guadalcanal further reducing the threat of a Japanese invasion of Australia.

A good reference available at Wal Mart's is "Victory at Sea" It gives a good accounting of the war in the Pacific and was orgianlly made as training films for the Navy and Marine Corps!

Also check at the nearest Marine Recruiter or Marine Base they can get you a good history of the U.S. Marine Corps during WW2

Answer 4

mostly the united states, but not in the normal sense.

At the time, Britain was having its own problems and could not send weapons to the australians, who were under air attack by the japanese.
But being the good people they are, the australians sent there own troops into north africa to help the british, and ended up saving the day by holding Tobruk in a 9 month long siege.
What ended up happening was that australians were given outdated american equipment, like the double wasp engine, and used it to produce there own war machines that were quite capable, especially for what they were made from.

Answer 5

We relied mostly on USA and Britain because of their massive resources. Same for WWI. We traded a lot with china and Britain.

Answer 6

Mostly The US and Britain

Answer 7

Australia was on westren side, side of allies, Japan may have been a big partner,

Answer 8

We relied on the USA mostly.

Answer 9

Australia wasnt there in ww2

Answer 10

the MF'ing USA just like every did and still does