Profits Over Patriotism: Black Market Crime in World War II Sydney

Abstract

This thesis examines the multi-faceted phenomenon of black market crime in World War II Sydney. Using previously classified archives, coupled with oral sources and newspaper articles I provide a complete survey of this phenomenon. As a concept the black market was a social construct with a level of stigma attached to offenders that would not exist in peace time. This was moral policing. I begin by discussing the relationship between the geography and morals of the city. Both women and men in Sydney related to the black market differently. I outline and evaluate the official response to the problem. I also examine broader community attitudes in relation to this issue. The research provided here should form the basis for a more comprehensive understanding of white-collar crime and the moral regulation of behaviour.