Communism, Capitalism, The Cold War, The Vietnam War and The Korean War
Uploaded by amiiniie on Mar 20, 2012
After WWII, the world was captivated by the threat of communism. The fear of communism within Australia was a major political issue during the Era of the Cold War. As a result, the key developments in Australia’s response to the threat of communism consisted of the Forward Defence Policy, signing significant alliance treaties which subsequently included the SEATO and ANZUS treaties, and actively participating in military conflicts, which included the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. However, it can be determined that the Vietnam War was the most controversial and decisive of Australia’s military commitment to counteracting the threat of Communism. The underlying factors which resulted in Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War included the fear of the Domino Theory, the Forward Defence Policy, supporting their loyal ally, the United States, in accordance with the treaties. It is evident that these political and military reasons occurred in order to protect the ideology of Capitalism.
Capitalism and Communism were the 2 main conflicting ideologies. The 2 major super powers behind these ideologies was Russia, a supporter of Communism and America, a supporter of Capitalism. It can be determined that the fear of communism would greatly impact the capitalist nations, including Australia. It can be stated the key developments in Australia’s response to the threat of communism included Forward Defence Policy, the SEATO and ANZUS treaties (South East Asia Treaty Organisation and the Australia New Zealand United States) taking part in military wars including The Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and The Vietnam War.
The Forward Defence Policy was based on the concept that it was in Australia’s best interest to meet any threats to Australia as far away from the mainland as possible. This policy would see Australia set up military bases overseas and send Australian troops to Korea, Malay and Vietnam. Therefore, Australia’s involvement in The Korean War and The Malayan Emergency was due to the concept of The Forward Defence Policy. “If there was a war for our existence, it should be carried out as far from our soil as possible”.
In June 1950, war broke out in Korea when communist North Korea invaded capitalist South Korea. The UN responded quickly, sending the military of fifteen nations, including Australia to counter-attack. By the time they had all arrived, the majority of South Korea had been overrun by communist forces and the UN military had to slowly fight back up...