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However, although this statement was made, in discussing Australia’s decision to support Great Britain in declaring war (WWI) the textbook then discusses this decision in terms of emotional allegiance only, as portrayed through an extract of an historical narrative accompanied by an enlistment song (see Source 7.69). Source 7.69. “Australia supported Britain” extract from The modern world emerges (Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 292). The song in Source 7.69 represents the allegiance Australia had towards Britain through key lines such as “For when there’s shady business, Britannia puts it right...[and] But England home and beauty have no cause to fear, Should auld acquaintance by forgot, No! No! No! No! No! Australia will be there!” (Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 292). Key words such as Britannia and England home are used as samples of the emotion of the time, rather than used to communicate to students the sentiments they should, or do, experience as citizens in the 1980s. This is evident by a student exercise that positions the two questions in the past tense (see Source 7.70). 370

Source 7.70. “Exercises” extract from The modern world emerges (Lawrence et al.,. 1986, p. 293) 7.15.2 Discourses of Menzies’ loyalty and connection to Great Britain. Robert Menzies is Australia’s longest serving prime minister, achieving this milestone over two separate terms in office. During Menzies’ second time as Australian prime minister, the distinct loyalty to Great Britain sentiment often attributed to Menzies is tempered in The modern world emerges (Lawrence et al.,1986). Although British heritages are represented in a significant way, it is not an over-misrepresentation. In fact, an argument could be lodged that Menzies’ emotional attachment to Great Britain and the impact this had on Australia’s socio-political contexts of the time are significantly moderated. For example, in Chapter 17 Australia since 1945 in a section titled Who was Robert Gordon Menzies the following biographical notes regarding Menzies’ allegiance to Great Britain is expressed as: He was always extremely loyal to Britain and the queen. On her tour of Australia in 1954 he said, “You may count on us; we are yours.” In 1963 he was knighted by the queen and became Sir Robert Menzies. Two years later he succeeded Sir Winston Churchill as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in Britain, a great honour. (Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 365) However, the allegiance that Menzies had to Great Britain is tempered through his policies that created strong connection with the United States in post-war Australia. This is articulated overtly by the textbook authors through the following section: Although Menzies was a great supporter of the queen and the Commonwealth, he realized that the United States was now the greatest power in the Pacific. Menzies and his minister for External Affairs, P.C. Spender, were fully aware of the developing “Cold War”, a state of international tension brought about by the rivalry of the nuclear powers, the United States and Soviet Union. They believed it was very important to align with America. It was for this reason, as well as because of their 371

However, although this statement was made, in discussing Australia’s decision to support<br />

Great Britain in declaring war (WWI) the textbook then discusses this decision in terms <strong>of</strong><br />

emotional allegiance only, as portrayed through an extract <strong>of</strong> an historical narrative<br />

accompanied by an enlistment song (see Source 7.69).<br />

Source 7.69. “Australia supported Britain” extract from The modern world emerges<br />

(Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 292).<br />

The song in Source 7.69 represents the allegiance Australia had towards Britain through key<br />

lines such as “For when there’s shady business, Britannia puts it right...[and] But England<br />

home and beauty have no cause to fear, Should auld acquaintance by forgot, No! No! No!<br />

No! No! Australia will be there!” (Lawrence et al., 1986, p. 292). Key words such as<br />

Britannia and England home are used as samples <strong>of</strong> the emotion <strong>of</strong> the time, rather than used<br />

to communicate to students the sentiments they should, or do, experience as citizens in the<br />

1980s. This is evident by a student exercise that positions the two questions in the past tense<br />

(see Source 7.70).<br />

370

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