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'''John Curtin''' was the Labor Party Prime Minister of [[Australia]] (1941-45), leading his nation to victory in [[World War II]] in close collaboration with the United States and his close associate American General [[Douglas MacArthur]].

'''John Curtin''' was the Labor Party Prime Minister of [[Australia]] (1941–45), leading his nation to victory in [[World War II]] in close collaboration with the United States and his close associate American General [[Douglas MacArthur]].

He moved from socialism to a more moderate position when he took power. Curtin is often regarded as the Greatest Australian Prime Minister by numerous polls.<ref>Such as the one conducted by The Age in 2004. Other polls include Newspoll and reputable news program Today Tonight.</ref>

He moved from socialism to a more moderate position when he took power. Curtin is often regarded as the Greatest Australian Prime Minister by numerous polls.<ref>Such as the one conducted by The Age in 2004. Other polls include Newspoll and reputable news program Today Tonight.</ref>

During World War I he was antimilitarist and opposed conscription vigorously. As a writer on economic problems, Curtin desired to give to Australian socialism a theoretical as well as a political basis, stressing the positive rather than the negative aspects of the movement. His public services before he became the acknowledged leader of the Labour Party included acting as Australian delegate to the International Labour Conference in 1924, as a member of the Commission on Family Allowances in 1927-1928, and as state advocate for West Australia to the Commonwealth Grants Commission from 1933 to 1935. He was a member of the Commonwealth House of Representatives from 1928 to 1931 and again from 1934 until his death.  Repeatedly he faced bouts of alcohlism, deprsssion and loneliness, but he overcame the alcoholism by the late 1930s.

During World War I he was antimilitarist and opposed conscription vigorously. As a writer on economic problems, Curtin desired to give to Australian socialism a theoretical as well as a political basis, stressing the positive rather than the negative aspects of the movement. His public services before he became the acknowledged leader of the Labour Party included acting as Australian delegate to the International Labour Conference in 1924, as a member of the Commission on Family Allowances in 1927-1928, and as state advocate for West Australia to the Commonwealth Grants Commission from 1933 to 1935. He was a member of the Commonwealth House of Representatives from 1928 to 1931 and again from 1934 until his death.  Repeatedly he faced bouts of alcohlism, deprsssion and loneliness, but he overcame the alcoholism by the late 1930s.

Curtin became the leader of the Labor Party in 1935 replacing J. A. Scullin; he was successful in settling dissension within the party.<ref> Australian spelling is "labour" except for the name of the party which is the "Labor Party."</ref> and proved his skill as one of the ablest debaters in the House.

Curtin became the leader of the Labor Party in 1935 replacing J. A. Scullin; he was successful in settling dissension within the party.<ref>Australian spelling is "labour" except for the name of the party which is the "Labor Party."</ref> and proved his skill as one of the ablest debaters in the House.

He argued that Australia could not solve European problems and ought, therefore, to concentrate on its own defense through air power. Curtin gave support to Australian participation in World War II despite reverses in the Mediterranean area in 1941.

He argued that Australia could not solve European problems and ought, therefore, to concentrate on its own defense through air power. Curtin gave support to Australian participation in World War II despite reverses in the Mediterranean area in 1941.

His physical and mental health worsened after 1943, and he died with victory in sight.

His physical and mental health worsened after 1943, and he died with victory in sight.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Barclay, G. St. J. "Australia Looks to America: The Wartime Relationship, 1939-1942," ''Pacific Historical Review,'' Vol. 46, No. 2 (May, 1977), pp. 251-271 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3637934 in JSTOR]

* Barclay, G. St. J. "Australia Looks to America: The Wartime Relationship, 1939-1942," ''Pacific Historical Review,'' Vol. 46, No. 2 (May, 1977), pp.&nbsp;251–271 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3637934 in JSTOR]

* Bolton, Geoffrey. ''The Oxford History Of Australia - Volume 5 - 1942 - 1988 - The Middle Way'' (1993)  

* Bolton, Geoffrey. ''The Oxford History Of Australia - Volume 5 - 1942 - 1988 - The Middle Way'' (1993)  

* Day, David. '' John Curtin: A Life'' (1999)

* Day, David. '' John Curtin: A Life'' (1999)

* McKernan, Michael. ''The Strength of a Nation: Six Years of Australians Fighting for the Nation and Defending the Homefront in WWII''(2006) [http://www.questia.com/read/113738054?title=The%20Strength%20of%20a%20Nation%3a%20%20Six%20Years%20of%20Australians%20Fighting%20for%20the%20Nation%20and%20Defending%20the%20Homefront%20in%20WWII onine edition]

* McKernan, Michael. ''The Strength of a Nation: Six Years of Australians Fighting for the Nation and Defending the Homefront in WWII''(2006) [http://www.questia.com/read/113738054?title=The%20Strength%20of%20a%20Nation%3a%20%20Six%20Years%20of%20Australians%20Fighting%20for%20the%20Nation%20and%20Defending%20the%20Homefront%20in%20WWII onine edition]

* Ross, Lloyd.''John Curtin: A Biography'' (1983)

* Ross, Lloyd.''John Curtin: A Biography'' (1983)

* Serle, Geoffrey. "Curtin, John (1885 - 1945)", ''Australian Dictionary of Biography,'' Volume 13, (1993), pp 550-558. [http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130616b.htm online edition]; good place to start

* Serle, Geoffrey. "Curtin, John (1885 - 1945)", ''Australian Dictionary of Biography,'' Volume 13, (1993), pp 550–558. [http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130616b.htm online edition]; good place to start

 

== External links==

== External links==