Why did Australia declare war on Japan on Dec 8th 1941?

Answer 1

Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 7 December 1941 AUSTRALIA PREPARES FOR INVASION On 7 December 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The United States, previously a neutral nation, immediately declared war on Japan. Australia followed suit. Within 24 hours, the Japanese offensive through South-East Asia had begun with landings in Malaya and Thailand. On 15 February 1942 the British colony of Singapore, seen by many as the last bastion between Australia and the advancing enemy, fell to the Japanese. Japanese troops advancing in Malaya, 1943 The first Japanese air raid on Darwin Harbour, 19 February 1942 Four days later Darwin was bombed. A series of air raids on Broome and Wyndham in Western Australia and further attacks on Darwin sent shock waves through the country. Australians, standing virtually unprotected in the face of the Japanese onslaught, feared outright invasion. 'AUSTRALIA LOOKS TO AMERICA' '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's dramatic appeal in a Melbourne Herald article of 26 December 1941 caused controversy across the world. For some it meant a disloyal rejection of Britain; for others a bold recognition of Australia's desperate position. Australian troops in Darwin surveying the damage caused by the first Japanese air raid Sydney's Manly Beach protected from potential invaders by barbed wire, 1942 THE CONTROVERSY Curtin's striking statement was plucked from an otherwise routine article in which he appealed to Australians to support the war effort. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill claimed that the statement would `cause resentment throughout the Empire'. US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it `tasted of panic and disloyalty'. Yet newspapers across the country supported Curtin's declaration. THE CONSEQUENCES The United States did come to Australia's aid, but it is unlikely that Curtin's statement had a major impact on US Military strategy. A close alliance between the two countries was probably inevitable, as they both shared the same goal - to defeat the Japanese. American troops disembarking at Port Melbourne in April 1942 American armoured cars in a Melbourne street parade Using Australia as a base, US, Australian and other Allied troops gradually repelled the Japanese advance. By late 1942, the threat of a full-scale Japanese invasion of Australia had waned.

Answer 2

Britain and France had a defence pact with Poland which stated that if Poland was attacked, Britain and France would help. On 1st September 1939, German troops invaded Poland from the west. Britain and France gave an ultimatum to Germany demanding the immediate withdrawal of German troops from Poland. Germany ignored the demand so on 3rd September 1939, Britain and France issued a joint declaration of war against Germany. Incidentally, two weeks later, the Soviet Union attacked Poland from the east.

Answer 3

The Nazis bombed and invaded Poland on 9-1-1939. Hitler had promised the French and Brits they would not be going after other nations when they were negotiating over the Sudetenland. This infuriated the Brits and French and scared them too that the Nazis would come after them. They had promised to help the Poles but in the end they did nothing to help the Poles even after declaring war on German Nazis. This started a period now dubbed "The Phony War." See the link below.

Answer 4

As part of the British Commonwealth, the declared war when Britain did. This also applied to New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and India, to name the bigger countries in the Commonwealth.

Answer 5

Japan invaded South East Asia. Australia had an army division stationed in Malaya which was attacked.

Answer 6

Australia was a self governing Dominion within the Empire (Now the Commonwealth). Britain declared war in defence of its obligation to Poland. France followed suit.