LibGuides: World War II: International Relationships

Treaties

ANZAC Pact accepted
"The Sydney Morning Herald" Fri 26 April 1946
ANZAC Pact criticised
Response from a US Senator on the Pact between NZ and Australia.
ANZUS Pact
ANZUS Treaty from the US perspective
Understanding ANZUS: Unpacking Australia's Treaty Commitments

Historical Documents

Documents on Australian Foreign Policy
Documents on Australian Foreign Policy is a project supported by successive governments since 1971 to document the evolution of Australia's external relations. The first part of the project, comprising Documents on Australian Foreign Policy 1937-1949, was completed in 2001.
The second series, which is thematic rather than chronological, began in 1997 with publication of a volume of documents entitled "The Australia-Japan Agreement on Commerce 1957" and continued with "Australia and the Indonesian Incorporation of Portuguese Timor, 1974-1976" (2000) and "The ANZUS Treaty 1951" (2001) Australia and Recognition of the People’s Republic of China, 1949-1972 and The Negotiation of the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement 1983 (2003).
Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade publications: 1948-49, Australia and the Postwar World - Beyond the Region - Volume 16

Foreign Policy

Australia on the world stage: Foreign policy - broadening horizons
"Without any inhibitions of any kind I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom."
(John Curtin, 1941)
Independent foreign policy
John Curtin was an avid believer in the right of Australians to determine their own future. As early as the 1920s he was writing editorials about the subject. In March 1923 he wrote:

"Australia's status in international politics and diplomacy is a matter which should interest all who have the well-being of this country at heart. Like a plant, Australia is rapidly reaching maturity. Soon it will achieve the dignity of nationhood. Its foreign policy will then be decided by its own Federal Parliament and its ambassadors will be established in the world's capitals. Direct and unrestricted marketing of its goods as a matter of course will follow. National sentiment will be aroused, and pride of country generated. To be an Australian in future will be to declare one's equality in a truly national and international sense."

Great White Fleet to Coral Sea: Naval strategy and the development of Australia - United States relations 1900-1945
A commemorative publication for the 100th anniversary [2008] of the visit to Australia’s shores of the United States Atlantic Fleet, known as the ‘Great White Fleet’.

Australia's International Relations today

Post-War Migration

From British Pathé.

Title reads 'New Citizens Learn our Mode of Living'. Bonegilla, Australia. Displaced persons from Baltic countries at a camp where they learn English and the Australian way of life.

From the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The first in a series of four UK television advertisements promoting passage to Australia for 10 pounds. This wave of British migrants became known as 'Ten pound poms'. The slogan for the commercials is 'Australia - brings out the best in you'.

From The Film Australia Collection. Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1963. Designed to assist immigrants on their day of arrival in Australia - medical examinations, registration, customs, passports, banking and baggage are among items discussed. The newcomers are also told how to avail themselves of the assistance offered by the Good Neighbour Council.