Over 34,000 Australian soldiers died fighting for their country during World War II, a war which has left a permanent mark on our world today. But what about those at home? How did World War II impact the Australian homefront? The Australian homefront underwent significant changes as the country mobilised its resources to help contribute to the war effort. The homefront especially experienced a notable shift particularly in gender roles, in which women occupied positions in previously male-dominated jobs, as well as the strategic use of propaganda to reshape behaviours and attitudes through posters, movies and even cartoons. During World War II, these factors of the war fundamentally altered societal norms and contributed to the advancement of women's rights, as well as serving as a catalyst…show more content… The Second World War was a timely and positive catalyst for progressing women’s rights as well as the overall political system, empowering women and recognising their significant contributions to the homefront. The Australian population needed to be protected and motivated to help contribute to the war effort. The Australian federal, state, and territory administrations were kept busy meeting the war's numerous needs. Meeting those needs gave Australian women the opportunity to participate directly in the political process or benefit from legislation enacted to aid the war effort. Support for the Allies' war effort had to be balanced with the need to oppose the Japanese army as they approached closer to Australia. This can be seen as after Australia sent men to the battlefields, there were fewer able-bodied Australians to fulfil vital roles previously reserved for men. Due to this, while previously women had been limited to working primarily in textile factories and in the domestic sphere, they were now actively recruited to roles involving manufacturing, health, agriculture, science, emergency services and transportation. They also served in the military, joining the
