History booklet 4.1
1. Which two countries made the most significant contribution to
Australian popular culture immediately after World War 2?
The 2 countries that contributed the most to Australian popular culture
after World War 2 were America and Britain.
2. Why did England send a cricket team to tour Australia so soon after
World War 2?
England sent a cricket team over to Australia for a good will tour.
3. What form of music did American troops help make popular in
Australia during World War 2?
The radio helped American music reach an Australian audience; it was
proven popular during World War 2. Clubs began to establish in
Australian city’s witch helped to popularise jazz music.
4. What did the radio replace in many Australian homes?
The radio replaced Pianos and Pianolas.
5. Why was Jedda such a significant film?
Jedda was such a significant film because it had 2 indigenous leads and
was the first Australian film short in colour.
6. How did weekly serials shown in movie theatres open the way for
American influence in popular culture?
Not everybody could afford televisions but the movies were exposed to
anyone.
7. How did Australians see news items before the arrival of television?
Before television Australians found out the news by listening to the
radio.
1. What are the four characteristics that make something popular
culture?
 Moves from local to national to global significance
 Is associated with commercial products
 Continues to change and evolve over time
 Allows consumers easy and widespread access
2. What is the cricket tests between Australia and England called?
The test between Australia and England is called the Ashes.
3. What did the radio replace in terms of home entertainment?
Pianolas
4. Why would older Australians worry about Disney films and serials
becoming so popular with Australian children?
They were worrying about Australian kids learning about the
American culture.
5. What does source 4.9 reveal about Australia in the 1950s?
It tells us that Australia was still quite a raciest place.
History booklet 4.2
1. John Manners and John J Sutton hold very different views. Identify
each viewpoint or perspective.
John Manners view was that rock’n’roll was great but John J Sutton
thought that rock’n’roll was a bad influence on teenagers and the
community.
2. List the words used that help you identify each perspective.
“Looked great”
“his repulsive antics”
“Their stage act was superb”
“shocking manner in which”
“The whole show was great”
“deteriorate rapidly”
3. John Sutton’s age is not given. Is there any evidence to indicate his
approximate age?
His approximate age would have to be about 50 or older because of his
attitude to rock’n’roll and popular culture.
4. Is one perspective more accurate that the other?
Both perspectives are accurate it just depends on people different views
and opinions.
1. Outline the major developments in Australian popular culture since
World War 2.
Rock’n’roll
Television
2. Who was on the first rock’n’roll tour of Australia and when was it?
Bill Haley, the Comets, Big Joe Turner, The Platters, LaVern Baker, Freddie
Bell and the Bell Boys on a package tour of Australia in 1957.
3. Explain why Bill Haley’s and The Beatles tours of Australia were
important developments in Australian popular culture.
Because it introduced Australians to popular culture.
4. When did television arrive in Australia?
Television arrived in Australia in 1956.
Week 3 booklet
1. Why are these top 20 charts primary sources?
2. How could a historian investigating the impact of American and British
popular culture on Australia use these sources?
3. What evidence is there that Australia was able to absorb and respond
to overseas popular culture in the 1950s?