At 9.15 pm on Sunday 3 September 1939, Australia’s Prime Minister, Robert Menzies (1894-1978), gave a radio address, announcing that Australia was at war with Germany:

The National Library of Australia holds key primary sources from this moment, including:

• A photograph of Menzies delivering the speech
• A sound recording of the broadcast
• A typed transcript of the address

In his speech, Menzies explained the two major events that led to Australia’s declaration of war. The first was the invasion of Poland by Germany.

German aggression

In 1933, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (better known as the Nazi Party), led by Adolf Hitler, came to power in Germany. Hitler quickly consolidated power and eliminated political opposition.

By the mid- to late 1930s, Nazi Germany had begun a program of militarisation and territorial expansion, justified by:

• Historical claims to neighbouring lands
• A desire for Lebensraum (living space) for the German people

Germany seized and annexed:

• Austria (1938)
• The Sudetenland (1938–39), a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia

These actions were permitted under the Munich Agreement, an attempt by Britain and France to appease Germany.

When Germany threatened Poland, Britain and France signed a treaty guaranteeing Polish sovereignty. On 3 September 1939, after Germany invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war.

Australian ‘Britishness’

The second reason Menzies gave for Australia’s declaration of war was Britain’s own declaration. At the time, Australia was a self-governing dominion of the British Empire. As such, Australia was expected to support Britain in war. 

Menzies believed strongly in the Commonwealth, describing it as a “great family of nations” united by ancestry and allegiance to the Crown.

In the 1930s, many Australians saw no conflict between being Australian and being British. Menzies referred to Britain as the “Mother Country”, reflecting a shared identity common at the time.

If such a policy were allowed to go unchecked there could be no security in Europe and there could be no just peace for the world. A halt has been called. Force has had to be resorted to, to check the march of force. Honest dealing, the peaceful adjustment of differences, the rights of independent peoples to live their own lives, the honouring of international obligations and promises, all these things are at stake.

When the 1940 election resulted in a hung parliament and a minority UAP government, Menzies suggested a government of national unity to see out the duration of the war. The ALP had decided at a conference before the election that it would not support such a move:, its leader John Curtin suggesting instead an Advisory War Council, where the Government and opposition would have equal representation.

In January 1941, Menzies travelled to London. He spent four months:

• Attending Churchill’s War Cabinet
• Seeking reinforcements for Singapore
• Lobbying the United States for support

His extended absence drew criticism. Some speculated he aspired to replace Churchill as British Prime Minister. On returning to Australia, Menzies found he had lost the support of his party. The independents who had supported his minority government withdrew, and John Curtin became Prime Minister.

Learning activities

Use these activities to explore Australia’s relationship with Britain during World War II, the idea of a "just war", and how leaders communicate in times of crisis.