Australia and Appeasement: Imperial Foreign Policy and the Origins of World War II (International Library of Twentieth Century History)

"On 3 September 1939, Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, broadcast to the Australian people the news that their country was at war with Germany. He outlined how every effort had been made to maintain the peace by keeping the door open to a negotiated settlement. However, as these efforts had failed, the British Empire was now 'involved in a struggle which we must at all costs win, and which we believe in our hearts we will win'. Christopher Waters here examines Australia's role in Britain's policy of appeasement from the time Hitler came to power in 1933 through to the declaration of war in September 1939. Focusing on the five leading figures in the Australian governments of the 1930s - Joe Lyons, Stanley Bruce, Robert Menzies, Billy Hughes and Richard Casey - Waters examines their responses to the rise of Hitler and the growing threat of fascism in Europe. Australian governments accepted the principle that the Empire must speak with one voice on foreign policy and were therefore intimately involved in the decisions taken by successive governments in London. As such, this book provides new insights into the making of imperial foreign policy in the inter-war era, imperial history, the origins of World War II and Australian history."--Publisher's website. The strategic, political, and moral threats posed by the rise of fascist regimes in Germany and Italy were so severe that all the democratic governments faced a myriad of challenges during the 1930s. Australia, as part of the British Empire, was no exception. Christopher Waters here examines Australias role in Britains policy of appeasement from the time Hitler came to power in 1933 through to the declaration of war on September 3, 1939. Focusing on five leading figures in the Australian governments of the 1930s, it examines their responses to the rise of Hitler and the growing threat of fascism in Europe. Australian governments accepted the principle that the Empire must speak with one voice on foreign policy and Australian political leaders were therefore intimately involved in the decisions taken by successive governments in London. As such, this book not only describes the Australian role in these events, but also provides new insights into the Chamberlain governments reactions to the developments in Europe. Australia and Appeasement provides an important and original study of the making of imperial foreign policy in the inter-war era and will be invaluable reading for researchers of Australian and imperial history and for anyone interested in the origins of World War II. On 3 September 1939, Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, broadcast to the Australian people the news that their country was at war with Germany. This book provides fresh insights into the making of imperial foreign policy in the inter-war era, imperial history, the origins of World War II and Australian history.