John_Curtin

John Curtin John Joseph Ambrose Curtin (1885-1945) was the 14th Australian prime minister and he is often argued to be the one of the greatest Prime Ministers. His life was full of hardships, but throughout the ups and downs, John Curtin had still been able to join the Victorian Socialist Party, as well as the ALP (Australian Labour Party) which both led to his most influential and greatest achievement regarded by many- Becoming the Prime Minister of Australia and leading it through World War II. As a child, John Curtin had minimal education, leaving behind school in an attempt to get a job to supply his family after his dad had fallen ill and had to leave his job. Curtin went through a series of jobs, as well as read about politics in his local library in his spare time. In 1903, John Curtin met Frank Antsey along with Tomm Mann and Frank Hyett at the age of 18 in a public meeting, teaching teenagers about social and political principles. Frank Antsey was a labour candidate and had made speeches that had made a huge influence on John Curtin’s life, changing his views into one of a socialist. A year later, he finally got a permanent job in the Titan Manufacturing company as well as join the Victorian Socialist Party a few years later. After leaving his job in Titan Manufacturing in 1911, he became the secretary of the Victorian Timber Workers Union, working to help the work conditions for workers. In 1941, World War 1 had started and John Curtin along with the union tried to convince politicians to prevent war. This however ended with john Curtin resigning as Union Secretary and moving to Perth, W.A. working as the editor of the Western Worker newspaper, writing things that oppose liberal’s views who were trying to introduce conscription to Australia, as well as publishing his own views on things he had a close bond to. John Curtin’s newspaper writings of liberal opposition had become spread around Australia, as well as his views on working conditions and wages for workers and wages for workers. This led to him being elected to become Fremantle’s Representative in House of Representative. John Curtin had lost his seat in politics, after his party had lost in the election in 1931. John Curtin returned back to Perth to work as the editor of the newspaper but once again in 1934, he stood for Fremantle, got voted in and won. In 1935, James Scullin, resigned as the leader of the ALP and John Curtin was voted in to be leader in a surprise outcome by just one vote. In 1939, World War 2 had started. The current Prime Minister of that time, Robert Menzies, had made unfavourable decisions leading him to stand down in 1941 for a new Prime Minister, Arthur Fadden. But Arthur Fadden had too been an unsuccessful Prime Minister, also leading him to stand down on the same year. In the end however, John Curtin was asked to lead Australia and on the 7th of October, John Curtin became wartime Prime Minister of Australia. Six weeks after John Curtin became Prime Minister and labour government was formed, Pearl Harbour was attacked by the Imperial Forces of Japan. The bombings on the 7th of December 1941 reported that 226 Australians had died of the result to the bombings. John Curtin had then declared war with Japan, as well as make allies with U.S.A. and the British in an emergency war cabinet meeting held in Melbourne to discuss the current war. The meeting led to Australian troops being sent out to the Middle East to help British from their battle and Americans to protect New Guinea. While the war was still going on, John Curtin was afraid of another surprise attack on Australia, with little troops protecting the country, it would be easy for the enemy to make an attack. He urged the British to send the 46,000 Australian troops back and even though the British were first reluctant, after some persisting, the Australian soldiers were going sent back to help the Americans war in New Guinea.  “If I liken the Pacific War to a football match, I can say to you that the first half is over, we have kicked off after the interval, and we are going to carry the ball into enemy territory for a smashing victory.” -John Curtin in a radio broadcast With Australian troops sent to New Guinea to help the Americans help defend against the Japanese troops, John Curtin’s health started to deteriorate and his heart conditions made him bed ridden in 1944. Despite this, he continued his work at the Lodge. Sadly, John Curtin did not live to see the fruits of his efforts, on the 5th of July 1945, he passed away at the Prime Minister’s Residence, where his body was flown into Perth, and later buried in Karrakatta Cemetery on the Sunday 8th with over 20,000 people attending his funeral. Six weeks after him passing away, the Japanese Forces surrendered and the war was won. Everybody celebrated and had regarded John Curtin as a hero. “If ever a man was born to apply his vision of what Australia at peace could be, his vision of what Australia at peace should become in his time, he was John Curtin.” - Former Prime Minister of Australia, Gough Whitlam All throughout John Curtin’s life, he wanted the well being of others and took great pride in his country. He lived to protect it and his people for whatever cause. John Curtin is a hero not only as a Prime Minister but as the man who also changed Australia’s history and saved Australia as well. Many still celebrate John Curtain today and he is regarded as a hero everywhere in Australia and he is what many believe to be as the greatest Prime Minister in Australian History. “His country was his pride His brother man his cause.” -The Inscription on his Gravestone in Karrakatta Cemetery