What were the significant social effects of World War II on Australia and Britain?

World War II resulted in significant social changes in Britain. Members of different socio-economic classes fought alongside each other in the military and on the home front, helping to begin to reduce the rigid class distinctions in Britain. Everyone was subject to the rationing of foods and resources, resulting in a sense of equality. In addition, millions of women helped in defense plants and on farms while men were fighting in the war, changing the way in which women were viewed and helping to slowly reduce sexism and enlarge people's ideas about what women could accomplish in the workplace. In addition, the government became very involved in people's lives and more powerful in instituting a draft and leading the war effort abroad and at home. After the war, the government developed a welfare state that was heavily involved in providing for its people, while the country began to let go of the colonies it had long controlled as an empire. British people no longer saw themselves as imperial powers; instead, they concentrated on rebuilding their country after the war.

Similarly, in Australia, which was part of the British Commonwealth, women joined the war effort by working in factories and working on farms. These changes affected the way in which people saw women. In addition, people of all socioeconomic groups had to pull together for the war effort, helping to reduce social distinctions. People had to endure rationing, as they did in Britain, to save goods and resources for the war effort, and as these rules applied to everyone, the effect was to reduce class distinctions during the war.