The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. In Australia it was marked by political stand-offs, the space race, spy rings and defections.

Issues of who is or can become an Australian citizen are closely tied to government policy. The White Australia policy stopped many non-Europeans becoming citizens in the 20th century.

Learn how Australia became a nation and how we make laws and elect people to represent us in Parliament.