SUBJECTS: History
YEARS: 9–10
During a fuel crisis, how do most people get around?
In Australia during World War II, fuel was rationed (restricted so that people could buy only limited amounts), as it was in very short supply. Car parts were also in limited supply, so they were hard to replace.
Hear some accounts of that time and watch footage from World War II Australia to see the range of transport used.
Things to think about
- 1.In times of a fuel crisis, petrol may not be available. If your family had no access to petrol for an extended period, how much would this impact on your lifestyle? How would you and your family get around? What adjustments would you find difficult or easy?
- 2.Why was it such a problem if your car broke down during the early to mid-1940s? What invention was designed to keep cars running during the petrol shortage, and what does this suggest about the importance of cars to some people at this time? What different forms of transport can you spot in this clip, and what sorts of fuel did each of them require?
- 3.Think about some useful sources for research into how many Australians owned cars during World War II, how much a car cost to run and how this compared to the common person's weekly wage. Find the sources and use them for this research. Find out how long petrol rationing continued after the war and what finally changed the situation.
- 4.Rationing was only one of many kinds of government powers used in Australia during World War II. Do some research to create a written or oral report about one of the following types of World War II Australian government restrictions and powers: manpower restrictions; controls on wages, prices and profits; conscription.
Date of broadcast: 27 Feb 1973
Copyright
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