Major Events of the 1920’s and 1930’s
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1914 -1918- War War One
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Divided Australia on their opinion of whether Australia should have
taken part in the war
Great rush of men for initial sign up- but many more chose not to
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1920 – The National Country Party of Australia is formed.
1920 – The Communist Party of Australia is founded in Sydney, New
South Wales.
1920- Australia competes at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp,
winning one bronze and two silver medals. It is the first time Australia
has competed at the Olympics separately from New Zealand – the two
nations had previously competed as a combined Australasia team.
1920- The Commonwealth Department of Health is formed.
1920- Edith Cowan becomes the first female parliamentarian in
Australia, when she is elected to the Western Australian Legislative
Council.
1920- The Royal Australian Air Force is established.
1923 – Vegemite is first produced
1926 – The first Miss Australia contest is held
1927 – The tenth parliament is formally opened in Canberra, finalising
the move to the new capital
1929- Wall Street crash (Black Tuesday)
1929-1940’s- Great Depression
Australia's extreme dependence on agricultural and industrial exports
meant it was one of the hardest-hit countries in the Western world.
Wages were cut bu 10% with longer hours. Children were forced out of
school to work but were often fired by adulthood to reduce adult wages
being paid.
Unemplyment reached a record high of 29% in 1932 (6-11%
previously).- Incidents of civil unrest become common as well as a rise
in suide rates.
1932 – The Sydney Harbour Bridge opens
1939 – Victoria is devastated by the Black Friday bushfires
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Almost 2 million hectares was burnt, with 71 people losing their
lives.
Whole townships were destroyed, many sawmills burnt to the
ground and thousands of sheep, cattle and horses were killed by
the intense heat and flames
1939 – Australia enters the Second World War following the German
Invasion of Poland
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Rations were introduced as Australia provided food provisions for
Britian. Food coupons were used for such items as butter, tea, milk and
sugar.
Work or fight ethic formed and many men went off to war leaving
women to do the traditional mens work of farming anf factory labor.