Life in Australian Homefront During Ww2
The impacts of war affected Australia socially, economically and politicly.
Censorship:
Censorship always happens during wartimes.
Censorship is just like a double-edge sword. If used properly, it serves as a valuable weapon. Governments and other regulatory institutions must learn to use it judiciously.
Australian government believed that censorship or propaganda was necessary for national security and public moral. Throughout the war, all forms of mass communication have been strictly censored. The Menzies Government established the Department of Information to control publicity and censorship, which issued an average of 8 instructions per day to Australian newspapers and radio stations between 1940 and 1945. Even mails were censored to make sure that no military information was being communicated.
Consider two wartimes propaganda popular in Australia back then: "Loose lips sink ships" and "Careless talk costs lives"
Pros: * Imposed to protect people from demoralize. * Keep the society stable, avoid unnecessary unrest or panic. * Stops the wild spread of rumour and secrecy ‘leakage’ to the enemies.
Cons: * Denys accesses to vital information. * Worries built up, public cannot get full picture of the war. Troops overseas worried their families’ and national security. * Lack of respect on privacy.
Rationing
On 14th of May 1942, rationing was introduced for food (e.g. dairy product, meat), clothing and petrol, mainly to manage the scarce resources and control civilian assumptions. Some items such as toys and pyjamas couldn't be produced. Ration books containing coupons were issued, and had to be presented when buying certain products (pregnant women and families with small children will be given more rations). Recycling and self-sufficiency (e.g. grow food in the backyard) were also urged. Women were also encouraged repair and patch clothes, and paint seams on their legs instead of buying stocking.
Pros *
Censorship:
Censorship always happens during wartimes.
Censorship is just like a double-edge sword. If used properly, it serves as a valuable weapon. Governments and other regulatory institutions must learn to use it judiciously.
Australian government believed that censorship or propaganda was necessary for national security and public moral. Throughout the war, all forms of mass communication have been strictly censored. The Menzies Government established the Department of Information to control publicity and censorship, which issued an average of 8 instructions per day to Australian newspapers and radio stations between 1940 and 1945. Even mails were censored to make sure that no military information was being communicated.
Consider two wartimes propaganda popular in Australia back then: "Loose lips sink ships" and "Careless talk costs lives"
Pros: * Imposed to protect people from demoralize. * Keep the society stable, avoid unnecessary unrest or panic. * Stops the wild spread of rumour and secrecy ‘leakage’ to the enemies.
Cons: * Denys accesses to vital information. * Worries built up, public cannot get full picture of the war. Troops overseas worried their families’ and national security. * Lack of respect on privacy.
Rationing
On 14th of May 1942, rationing was introduced for food (e.g. dairy product, meat), clothing and petrol, mainly to manage the scarce resources and control civilian assumptions. Some items such as toys and pyjamas couldn't be produced. Ration books containing coupons were issued, and had to be presented when buying certain products (pregnant women and families with small children will be given more rations). Recycling and self-sufficiency (e.g. grow food in the backyard) were also urged. Women were also encouraged repair and patch clothes, and paint seams on their legs instead of buying stocking.
Pros *