The new attitude stood in clear contrast to Australia's entry into the war against Germany in 1939, when Prime Minister Menzies had announced that because Britain was at war Australia was too. The speech signalled a more independent attitude by Australia to its own defence (against the wishes of Britain) and the beginning of a closer relationship with the United States.As the speech indicates, diplomatic negotiations with Japan in Washington were terminated by the Japanese bombing of the United States naval base at Pearl Harbour as well as attacks on Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and British Malaya. Australia’s declaration of war on Japan was a response to the coordinated attacks by the Japanese on United States and British territories across the Asia-Pacific region.As opposition leader in 1939 Curtin had believed that the war could reach Australian soil, and by 1941 the newly formed Curtin government along with the War Cabinet held a genuine fear of Japanese invasion. The Curtin government’s declaration of war on Japan marked a dramatic chapter in Australia’s wartime history during which armed conflict spread to the Asia-Pacific region and Australians increasingly believed that the country's sovereignty was under threat.The speech was originally broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The complete speech outlines the government’s reasons for going to war the threat posed by Japan to Australian interests the diplomatic efforts by the United States and its allies to secure peace an appeal for public support and an assurance that the Australian Government will provide for the safety of the nation. This sound recording is an excerpt of a public address given by Australian Prime Minister John Curtin (1885–1945) on 8 December 1941 announcing Australia’s declaration of war on Japan. The Australian Government has repeatedly made it clear – as have the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands East Indies – that if war came to the Pacific it would be of Japan's making. Australia encouraged the United States to retain the diplomatic initiative on behalf of the democratic powers. Throughout the whole affair, and despite discouragement, the Australian Government and its representatives abroad struggled hard to prevent a breakdown of discussions. Tomorrow, in common with the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Netherlands East Indies governments, the Australian Government will formally and solemnly declare the state of war it has striven so sincerely and strenuously to avoid. As a result, the Australian Government this afternoon took the necessary steps which will mean that a state of war exists between Australia and Japan. That has happened because, in the first instance, Japanese naval and air forces launched an unprovoked attack on British and United States territory because our vital interests are imperilled and because the rights of free people in the whole Pacific are assailed. John Curtin: Men and women of Australia, we are at war with Japan. Host: Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime Minister.
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