Following the Second World War, Australians began to tire of austerity and rationing, wanting some reward for the privations of six years of war. There was a struggle being carried out in the electorate, a battle between socialism and capitalism. Chifley represented the old socialism and Menzies promised a bright free enterprise future. Menzies won public support and set about creating a new society of “forgotten Australians” that set the basis for decades of domestic and foreign policies to come. This course analyses Menzies’ vision and governance and how it made him the longest serving leader in Australia’s history.

DELIVERY MODE

• Hybrid (Face-to-Face and Online simultaneously)

COURSE OUTLINE

• The creation of the Liberal Party and the second coming of Menzies
• The battle between Labor’s socialism and Menzies’ new liberalism
• Domestic policy under the Menzies government
• Foreign policy under the Menzies’ government, especially the new US alliance
• An evaluation of Menzies and his administration

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the political climate in the years following the Second World War
2. Trace the rise of Menzies until he won government in 1949
3. Define his domestic economic and social policies
4. Understand the reasons for his popularity and the longevity of his government