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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 [[Doulas 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.

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.

Curtin became the leader of the Labor Party in 1935 and was successful in settling dissension within it.<ref> Australian spelling is "labour" except for the name of the party which is the "Labor Party."</ref> 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.  

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.  

The voters gave the Curtin ministry a strong mandate in the election of August 1943, with 49 of the 75 seats in the House of Representatives (as well as the support of two independents), giving the Government 51 seats to the Opposition's 23. Labor swept the Senate seats and obtained a majority in the upper house for the first time in 20 years. The Opposition was a coalition of the United Australia Party and the Country Party, both conservative and anti-socialist.  About 800,000 of the 4,000,000 Australian voters were in uniform and most supported Curtin.  

The voters gave the Curtin ministry a strong mandate in the election of August 1943, with 49 of the 75 seats in the House of Representatives (as well as the support of two independents), giving the Government 51 seats to the Opposition's 23. Labor swept the Senate seats and obtained a majority in the upper house for the first time in 20 years. The Opposition was a coalition of the United Australia Party and the Country Party, both conservative and anti-socialist.  About 800,000 of the 4,000,000 Australian voters were in uniform and most supported Curtin.  

The Curtin government and the subsequent [[Ben Chifley]] Labor government sought to manage the economy and encourage industry and full employment without resorting to nationalization, socialism or the welfare state.

The Curtin government and the subsequent [[Ben Chifley]] Labor government sought to manage the economy and encourage industry and full employment without resorting to nationalization, socialism or the welfare state.