Australia and the Fear of Communism

Australia and the Fear of Communism

1. Australia was an ally of the USA and Britain.

2. Australia's Foreign Policy from 1949

   • 1. Communism was a threat to Australia
     • This was particularly in Asia
   • 2. Australia couldn't adequately defend itself
     • This was given the experience in WW2
     • The Australian government sought to strengthen it's relationship with Britain and the USA
   • 3. Australia had to prove its loyalty as an ally
     • IN 1950 Australia was the first nation to support the US in the Korean War
     • IN 1950s Australia help British defeat communist rebels in Malaya
     • 1960s Australia supported the US in the Vietnam War
   • 4, Australia needed to use forward defence
     • This was the tactic to meet threats as far away from mainland Australia as possible
     • Australia set up military bases outside Australia
     • Sent troops to fight Asian communism

3. 1949 Liberal government led by Robert Menzies

4. Banning the Communist Party

   • Communist party had begun to achieve control in important trade unions
   • 1950: Communist Party Dissolution Bill
     • Made the party illegal
     • Allowed the government to seize all its assets
     • Dr H.V. Evatt (head of Labor party) opposed the bill

5. Resonse to Communism: 1950 - 1960

   • The Domino Theory
     • Belief that if communism was not stopped it would spread
     • If one state fell, all would fall
   • The Malayn Emergency
     • 1948: Communist rebels began to operate imn Malay jungle
     • Government sent Australian ground troops, naval and air force to assist British troops.
   • The Korean War
     • 1950: North Korean invaded South Korea
     • Australia supported US and sent forces to defend South Korea
       • Example of forward defence
   • The ANZUS Treaty
     • Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and US
     • Treaty obliges all three countries to assist eat other in the event of an attack
   • SEATO
     • South-East Asia Treaty Organisation
     • Alliance of countries opposed to communism in South-East Asia
     • Include US, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealnd, Thailand, Pakistan and hte Philippines.