The man who Churchill HATED most
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Published 2024-05-23
Curtin's political journey began in earnest when he joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1911. His early years were marked by staunch advocacy for workers' rights and social justice. However, it was his ascension to the role of Prime Minister during World War II that truly defined his legacy.
As Prime Minister, Curtin faced the daunting task of leading Australia through one of its darkest periods. With the threat of Japanese invasion looming large, he made the bold decision to redirect Australia's military focus from Europe to the Pacific, aligning closely with the United States for mutual defense. This pivotal shift in strategy played a crucial role in the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific theater.
Curtin's leadership during the war was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the Australian people. He prioritized the welfare of servicemen and women, implemented policies to support wartime industries, and worked tirelessly to maintain national unity in the face of adversity.
Beyond his wartime leadership, Curtin's legacy is also defined by his progressive vision for post-war Australia. He championed social reforms, including the introduction of unemployment benefits and the establishment of the Department of Post-War Reconstruction to guide the nation's recovery efforts.
Tragically, Curtin's tenure as Prime Minister was cut short by his death on July 5, 1945, just months before the end of the war. However, his impact on Australian politics and society endures to this day. John Curtin remains revered as a statesman of unparalleled integrity, whose leadership steered Australia through its darkest hour and laid the foundation for a more equitable and prosperous future.
All Comments (21)
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Want the full deep dive on Menzies and Curtin? We've got more for you here ➡ open.spotify.com/show/5OcT4DfJ3xtruXI9QaM4wg?si=92… Access extra podcasts (where we're completely unfiltered) + you can choose a narrator for a video by clicking right here ➡ www.patreon.com/MrMitchellHistory
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One man whom all Australians should know the name of and study.
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Menzies left Australia undefended, Churchill regarded Australia as nothing more than an expendable British colony. It was John Curtin who made sure Australia was able to defend itself against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. Churchill didn't just despise John Curtin, he despised Australians in general ever since WW1, regarding us as cannon fodder.
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Churchill's relationship with Menzies wasn't any better. Menzies wrote in his London war diaries that he thought Churchill was an infantile tyrant surrounded by yes men. His disputes with Churchill over Greece, Tobruk, the AIF and Australian Generals have been covered in detail by Horner and Freudenberg.
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This is what an Australian looks like. Man represents our values through and through. We wouldn't be who we are without you John Curtain
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Its been downhill for Australian politicians since the 70s , once they worked out how profitable for them to abandon the Australian people and started representing big business , they found dishonesty and lies can provide a very nice bank account for themselves , any public servant who becomes a millionaire is a crook .. cheers
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Can’t believe I spent over a 100 hours across 13 years of schooling learning about Australia’s history and never once was taught about Curtin… Awesome video as always gents! -proud patreon
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Curtin, for his abilities to lead us in our darkest hour, is absolutely the greatest Australian PM. Thankfully no other PM has had to lead the nation under threat of invasion, and I hope to hell that never happens again.
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As a new Australian citizen (took the Oath last Sat.) - really appreciate this video. The history of this period is taught with a heavy ‘Northern Hemisphere - centric’ emphasis back ‘home’.
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John Curtin. A true Aussie legend. Aside from being a charismatic good speaker, Churchill is highly overrated. When are we going to get a big hollywood budget John Curtin biopic? There's so many Churchill suckhole biopics.
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On behalf of America I would like to apologize to Australia, once more, for MacArthur.
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my dad always said Curtin was the greatest PM. He also said Bob Menzies earned the nickname "Pig Iron Bob" because for many years before the war Menzies sold immense amounts of scrap metal to the Japanese which came back at us as airplanes and ships (that was the way he put it anyway).
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As a Canadian, this is the first time I've ever heard about John Curtin (I'm not good at Australian history, and only a little bit better at Canadian history). What a legend this man was!
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It is interesting to note that PM Curtain, was good friends with Menzies. Curtain (during the war) would regularly have dialogue with Menzies about logistics of the war. I personally am not a fan of Menzies, but it was good to,see some union during that period of time.
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John Curtin will always be the greatest PM we've ever had. As I commented on a previous video, the man literally gave his life for our country. Fantastic to see another great video Mr M! Job well done mate.
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My central Queensland town still has the remnants of sandbags & dugouts near the airport - Pearl Harbour was hit twice; Australia was hit multiple times...
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Curtin gets a gig in Civilization as one of the world’s great leaders!
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I knew a WWII veteran who was a avid, active & devoted Labor Party member, because of John Curtain. I use to listen to the War Stories and the pacific.
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Australia owes John Curtin a great debt. A great man and a great Prime Minister ❤💙🤍
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thanks for covering this absolute legend
