Second World War Defining Moments, 1939–1945 | 4.1 Introduction: Australia’s changing international relationships | Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia

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Learning module:

Second World War Defining Moments, 1939–1945

Investigation 4: Australia and the world

4.1 Introduction: Australia’s changing international relationships

<p>HV Evatt, Australia’s Minister for External Affairs, signing the UN Charter in San Francisco, 1945</p>

UN Photo/McLain

<p>HV Evatt, Australia’s Minister for External Affairs, signing the UN Charter in San Francisco, 1945</p>

There were several key events during the Second World War that influenced Australia’s place in the world, and its relationship with other nations.

Use the following Defining Moments to explore these events. Read the information on a Defining Moment, and answer the questions for each event.

Investigation 4.2
1919 ‘I speak for sixty thousand dead’: The Treaty of Versailles

Investigation 4.3
1942 Prisoners of the Emperor: The fall of Singapore

Investigation 4.4
1942 Defying Churchill: Curtin brings home troops

Investigation 4.5
1945 A place on the world stage: The United Nations