Menzies, Sir Robert Gordon

Menzies, Sir Robert Gordon

▪ prime minister of Australia
born Dec. 20, 1894, Jeparit, Victoria
died May 16, 1978, Melbourne
 statesman who, as prime minister of Australia (1939–41, 1949–66), strengthened military ties with the United States and fostered industrial growth and immigration from Europe.

      Menzies gave up a highly successful law practice in Victoria to serve in the state legislature (1929–34). He entered the federal Parliament in 1934, serving as attorney general (1934–39) under Joseph Lyons; and in 1939, as leader of the United Australia Party, he became prime minister. Pressure from various quarters forced his resignation in 1941, after he had initiated Australia's mobilization for World War II. Organizing the Liberal Party in 1944, he regained control of the government in 1949, campaigning in opposition to the Socialist policies of the Labor Party.

      Menzies presided over rapid industrial growth in Australia during the 1950s, sponsoring the development of natural resources and transportation and encouraging foreign investment. He had a traditional concept of the British Commonwealth and gave controversial support to Britain's intervention in the Suez crisis of 1956 and in the Malaysia–Indonesia confrontation of the early 1960s. His strong belief in the United States as the bulwark of Australian security led to the alliance (1951) of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States (ANZUS) and to Australia's joining the South East Asia Treaty Organization in 1954. His anti-Communism was expressed in an unsuccessful attempt to dissolve the Australian Communist Party in 1951 and in his joining the United States in supporting the South Vietnamese war effort. After the longest continuous ministry in Australian history, Menzies retired in 1966. He was knighted in 1963.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Menzies,Sir Robert Gordon — Men·zies (mĕnʹzēz), Sir Robert Gordon. 1894 1978. Australian politician who twice served as prime minister (1939 1941 and 1949 1966). * * * …   Universalium

  • Menzies, Sir Robert (Gordon) — born Dec. 20, 1894, Jeparit, Victoria. Austl. died May 16, 1978, Melbourne Australian statesman and prime minister (1939–41, 1949–66). A successful lawyer, he served as Australia s attorney general (1934–39). Leader of the United Australia Party …   Universalium

  • Menzies, Sir Robert (Gordon) — (20 dic. 1894, Jeparit, Victoria, Australia–16 may. 1978, Melbourne). Estadista y primer ministro australiano (1939–41, 1949–66). Abogado de éxito, fue fiscal general de Australia (1934–39). Líder del Partido Australia Unida, fue primer ministro… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Robert Gordon Menzies — (* 20. Dezember 1894 in Jeparit, Victoria; † 15. Mai 1978 in Melbourne) war von 1939 bis 1941 und von 1949 bis 1966 Premierminister Australiens. Leben Nach dem Studiu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Robert Menzies — Robert Gordon Menzies Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (* 20. Dezember 1894 in Jeparit, Victoria; † 15. Mai 1978 in Melbourne) war von 1939 bis 1941 und von 1949 bis 1966 Premierminister Australiens. Leben Nach dem Studiu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Robert Menzies — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Robert Menzies …   Wikipedia Español

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  • Robert Menzies — Infobox Prime Minister honorific prefix = The Right Honourable name=Sir Robert Gordon Menzies honorific suffix = KT AK CH QC order=12th [Menzies served 2 terms. He was the 12th person to serve as Prime Minister, in his first term in 1939. He was… …   Wikipedia

  • Robert — /rob euhrt/, n. 1. Henry Martyn /mahr tn/, 1837 1923, U.S. engineer and authority on parliamentary procedure: author of Robert s Rules of Order (1876, revised 1915). 2. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning glory and bright. * * * (as… …   Universalium

  • Robert — (as used in expressions) Adam, Robert Aldrich, Robert Altman, Robert (B.) Ashe, Arthur (Robert), Jr. Baden Powell (de Gilwell), Robert Stephenson Smyth, 1 barón Bakewell, Robert Baldwin, Robert Ballard Robert D(uane) Bly, Robert (Elwood) Borden,… …   Enciclopedia Universal

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