British & American Influence on Australia
Before 1945, many people, including Australians themselves, considered Australia to be nothing more than a British colony whose national identity was virtually the same as the British. During this period of Australia's history, our modes of entertainment, food, fashion, sporting culture and our social values and attitudes were largely dictated by British culture.
One of the most significant changes to have taken place in Australian society since the end of WWII, has been its drift towards American, rather than British culture. As the American way of life was projected further into Australia via popular culture, it would rapidly alter the ways we spent our money, entertained ourselves, dressed and socialised.
Australia in the 1980s was a mixture of many cultural flavours but America still proved to be the dominant foreign cultural influence. As Australia enjoyed an economic boom, the nation warmly embraced the American consumerist ideal.
Due to economies of scale, it is proportionately cheaper - and more profitable - for the American entertainment industry to produce movies, television shows, music etc., than it is for the local entertainment industry to produce the same in Australia.
American music artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson swept the Australian music charts in the 1980s as well as American rap and hip hop. This influence would eventually lead to the creation of a small but thriving Australian hip hop scene. American hip hop culture also crossed over into the field of fashion and many Australian youths adopted the baggy pants and baseball caps of their favourite hip hop stars. The rise of video clips also gave overseas artists greater airtime on music television. However many Australian acts, such as Men at Work and INXS, were also enjoying local and international success.
American films were dominant at the Australian box office. The 1980s became the era of the big-budget action film. The Terminator ,Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Ghostbusters,
One of the most significant changes to have taken place in Australian society since the end of WWII, has been its drift towards American, rather than British culture. As the American way of life was projected further into Australia via popular culture, it would rapidly alter the ways we spent our money, entertained ourselves, dressed and socialised.
Australia in the 1980s was a mixture of many cultural flavours but America still proved to be the dominant foreign cultural influence. As Australia enjoyed an economic boom, the nation warmly embraced the American consumerist ideal.
Due to economies of scale, it is proportionately cheaper - and more profitable - for the American entertainment industry to produce movies, television shows, music etc., than it is for the local entertainment industry to produce the same in Australia.
American music artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson swept the Australian music charts in the 1980s as well as American rap and hip hop. This influence would eventually lead to the creation of a small but thriving Australian hip hop scene. American hip hop culture also crossed over into the field of fashion and many Australian youths adopted the baggy pants and baseball caps of their favourite hip hop stars. The rise of video clips also gave overseas artists greater airtime on music television. However many Australian acts, such as Men at Work and INXS, were also enjoying local and international success.
American films were dominant at the Australian box office. The 1980s became the era of the big-budget action film. The Terminator ,Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Ghostbusters,