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Australia was not spared the effects of The Great Depression. It had a similar impact here to that around the rest of the world. In addition, there were several peculiarly Australian aspects such as the role of Jack Lang and the payment of NSW debts [or not], the rise of the New Guard and its role as an opposing force to his actions.
This page provides links to information and resources for this topic at a range of Australian universities. It does not attempt to include all these. Be aware some units/topics have different titles in different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied wherever possible.
They are at undergraduate level and listed in alphabetical groupings for ease of access. Some information may be useful at a higher level.
In addition, there are journals, search engines, databases, primary documents, reference material and other general information where these are seen to be relevant.
Additional unit material will be included as time permits.
If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given every consideration.
Specific People
Lang, John Thomas [Jack]
NSW Premier, Federal Labour politician.
- Jack Lang
Supportive article about Lang. Still covers major points and causes relating to the period. - John Thomas [Jack] Lang
Lang’s entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. - JT Lang and Lang Labor
Factsheet, National Archives of Australia. Political information, record listings, links to further information.
Joseph Aloysius Lyons
Prime Minister.
- Joseph Aloysius Lyons
Lyon’s entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. - Joseph Lyons PM
Information about the man who became Prime Minister in 1932, his role during this period.
James Scullin
Prime Minister.
- James Scullin
Scullin’s entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. - James Scullin PM
Information about the man who became Prime Minister in 1929, his role during this period.
- Edward Granville Theodore
Theodore’s entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. Federal Treasurer at the time of the Great Depression.
Other Information
- 1930 to 1939 - Depression and Crisis
Information from the NSW Parliament covering Jack Lang, the role of the Governor, the Depression, social disruption. - Australia, 1930
A lecture by L.F.Giblin [Ritchie Professor of Economics in the University of Melbourne] in 1930, looking at the problems that existed. - Australia and the Great Depression
‘Events and circumstances leading up to the Depression, the effects on various people in Australian society, political divides and secret armies, and legacies of the Depression’. DVD with Teacher’s notes.
Note this is Fee-based and you now need to be able to log in to access this site.li> - Australian Governments Did Not Have The Theory, …
The Means Or The Will To Adequately Handle The DepressionArticle by Thomas Dickson, Murdoch University. - Australian History : The Great Depression
Covers the major points. Australian History.org. - Brazen Hussies and God’s Police
One of a series of articles looking at the role of women, in this case during the Depression. Looks at several common views and emphasises their multi-faceted role in society. - Great Depression in Australia
Looks at the 1920s, 1929, Scullin and Lang, the recovery, the legacy of the Great Depression, references, further links. From Wikipedia. - Life during the Great Depression
A webquest to develop about the Great Depression in conjunction with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Covers the US and Melbourne. - Memories of the Great
Depression [1930s]
Everyday stories from Australians who lived through the Great Depression. - The Commonwealth Government’s Response to the Depression
Informative article with some embedded links. From Skwirk. - The Depression Years’ Trail
Graphic images of the Depression years, as collated by Picture Australia. - The Great Depression
From Australia.gov.au. Information, links to further resources. - The Great Depression [2]
Australian Screen provides a range of clips and ‘the clips have teachers’ notes related to this topic’. 10 clips listed, with the possibility of accessing more. - The Great Depression [3]
Listing of items held by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney about the Depression era. Most provide a sizable image with notes explaining what they are and how they were used. Other museums likely to have similar collections. - The Great Depression, 1929-1935
Resource unit from the History Teachers’ Association of NSW. You need to be a member to access this. Select Member Resources from the top menu.
You now have to be a member to access resources on this site though there are still other links available. - The Great Depression and The Battle for Inflation
Political, social and economic events of the period, including hindsight views. Part of online book called ‘Giblin’s Platoon - The trials and triumphs of the economist in Australian public life’. - The Myth Of The Great Depression
A new account of the Great Depression in Australia. ‘Based on interviews with hundreds of families over many years, Potts’s big claim is that while the Depression was very bad, it wasn’t all that bad. The considerable interest of the book is that it offers another take on the accumulated oral history of the Depression, this time with the accent on the positive’.
The New Guard
- New Guard
ABC GNT History. Online article. - New Guard Movement, 1931-35
‘At its height, the New Guard had a membership of over 50 000. The movement was almost exclusively based in New South Wales, with its heaviest concentration of support in Sydney. After the dismissal of the Lang government on 13 May 1932 and its subsequent defeat at the polls, and with an improving economy, the New Guard lost much of its momentum’. - The New Guard
Historical context, New Guard and Jack Lang, membership, activities, civil unrest, decline. From Wikipedia.
- Thursday’s Child : Great Depression
Information based on the novel opf the same name. Multiple activities. - Trade Union Influence in the 1920s and 1930s
Working conditions and changes during the period leading up to, and around, the Great Depression. - Two Depressions, One Banking Collapse
Looks at and compares the Depressions of 1890s and the 1930s in Australia, their causes and differences. PDF file [and other formats]. Links to other information about The 1930s Depression. -
Weevils in the Flour
‘Magnificent oral record of the experiences of ordinary Australians during the Great Depression of the 1930s’.
Note this is a Fee-based text. - Working for the
Dole
Commonwealth Relief during the Great Depression. Information, further links to data held by the National Archives. Appendix 1 provides a chronology of events from January 1929 to 1935/1936.