Australia’s Response to Communism in the 1950’s Essay

In the 1950s the world had just grapple out of the greatest struggle in human history. In the wash of this war some countries turned to socialism. It was against this threat of fabianism that the Australian establishment reacted in such a wide variety of ways. Although there were a wide variety of ways in which Australia reacted there were perhaps terce that were the most prevalent and influential. Firstly Australia sent phalanx to fight in Korea to avoid and pr final result the spread of socialism and the start of the domino piece in South Asia. Secondly the Australian Prime look Robert Menzies deposit forward the superlative that would ban the commieic party in Australia and draw in macrocosm communist illegal. Finally Australia also sought to establish treaties and relationships with an another(prenominal)(prenominal) non-communist countries to provide Australia with an adequate defence, and also to help limit the spread of communism through. It was these strategie s that made up Australias reaction to communism.One of Australias primary(prenominal) responses to communism was its participation in the Korean War. Australia got involved in this war for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons was to stop the domino kernel that was believed would mean the fall of most of South East Asia and would put Australia down the stairs direct threat. Source A shows the potential consequences of not stopping the vehement tide. The source shows that if even one(a) country in this parting were lost to communism the security of Australia itself would be imperi conduct. This very clearly shows the attitudes towards communism at the time. Source E goes again to show how scared good deal were of communism and how controversial this topic was. Another huge reason troops were deployed into Korea was the idea of forward defence. It was believed that communism could be most in effect kept away from Australia by fighting it well away from Australian soil. This form _or_ system of government of forward defence justified the flummoxing and placing of troops into the Korean War.In the response to the internal threat of communism The Australian regimen came up with some somewhat extreme courses of action. Australian Prime look proposed a bill, called the Communist Party Dissolution Bill thatwould make communism illegal, ban the communist party and prevent whatsoeverone declared a communist from holding a job in the government or occupation unions. The controversial issue in this bill was that if you were accused of being a communist you were guilty until proven innocent. Many people were accused of being communist and although no one was ever confirmed to be one it still ruined some lives. At this time the Australian communist party had 24,000 members and although this was a small amount it still scared umteen people.This fear of communism was almost enough to get Menziess bill haveed however the high court called it unconstitu tional and agreed to not pass it. Although Menzies held a referendum to pass his bill there was a slight mass of against votes. Even though the bill failed to pass it still shows just how elephantine an issue this was and how concerned people were about communism. Another issue that showed the sincerity of this issue was the Petrov Affair. This scared people, as there was a accomplishable ring of soviet spies in the country. Menzies manipulated this event to his advantage and so won the election and forever tarnishing the oppositions reputation by brand the labour party as communist supporters. Finally another smaller, precisely no less important, action was taken as a response to the threat of communism. Australia began to sign treaties with other countries that were not communist. The Prime Minister Robert Menzies was seeking to create a new more secure position for Australia specifically under the US wing.Australia needed new alliances and assort beyond Britain and so we t urned to America for support. This need for allies led to the ANZUS agreement of 1951 and the SEATO alliance of 1954. These agreements ensured aid from foreign countries, particularly the US, in the event of attack from a communist country or indeed any country in general. These policies ensured mutual protection from any threat to the countries involved. separate countries involved in these treaties were New Zealand as well as many South East Asian countries such as Thailand, South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These countries were include to help prevent the advance of communism. By allying these countries with the US it was practically ensure that they would resist the red tide of communism.In the 1950s Australia adopted many policies and responses to the growing threat of communism. These included our involvement in the Korean War, ourpolicy of forward defence, the Communist Party Dissolution Bill and treaties with America and other countries. Although Australia was never direct ly threatened these policies were prudent measures against the advance and popularity of communism. These responses, while somewhat excessive, were implemented to protect Australia and to keep it safe.BibliographyAnderson, Maureen. Retroactive 2. Milton, Qld. John Wiley & Sons, 2005. Print.Orwell G. 1945. Animal Farm. London. Jonathan Cape.Australias Responses to the Threat of Communism International. Web. 15 June 2013. http//www.skwirk.com.au/p-t_s-14_u-116_t-31380 Days That Changed Our Lives. Soviet Diplomats in Canberra Defect. Web. 16 June 2013. http//www.abc.net.au/archives/80days/stories/2012/01/19/3411302.htm