Forward Defence

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Research Question:

Explain the implications of the policy of “Forward Defence” on political life in Australia between 1964 and 1972

 The policy of “Forward Defence” can be defined as the deployment of troops across the approaches to Australia to prevent a potential enemy attacking it. It would have many implications on political life in Australia between 1964 and 1972. This included the strengthening of the relationship with the United States of America, Australia’s participation in Vietnam War and also the dominance of the Australian Liberal Party during this period. Clearly, there were implications of this policy.

 It can definitely be said that “forward defence” has strengthened the relationship between Australia and USA. Communism was definitely a threat to the West as it had spread to Asian countries like China and there was a possibility that it would keep spreading. Communism was a constant issue in Australian life as Australia was part of the Cold War rivalry. “Reds Under the Bed” was a common phrase in Australia and it underlined the fact that communism was indeed a massive threat. The USA was the only nation powerful enough to deal with this threat and it was in Australia’s best interest to ally with it in the fight against communism. Examples of Australia trying to be “friends” with the USA were the participation in the Korean War as well as the support in the Vietnam War. The ANZUS treaty and SEATO were also other ways to ensure a close relationship with the USA. “All the Way with LBJ” was another example of the increasing relationship with the USA. The Vietnam War was growing increasingly unpopular in the USA and President Johnson needed support. Australia gave it that. In October 1966, President Johnson was the first American president to visit Australia and he valued Holt’s loyalty and supported him. The visit coincided with the federal election the following month and Holt scored a tremendous electoral victory. In the previous election of 1963, the Labour and Liberal Party won 52 seats each. In the 1966 election, the Labour Party only won 41 seats and the Liberal Party won 61 seats.  This clearly showed the extent of President Johnson’s influence on Australian people. “Forward Defence” enabled Australia to work with the USA against communism in Asia which could be said as the defence of Australia. Clearly, “Forward Defence” enabled Australia to create a close relationship with the USA which in turn affected the federal election of 1966 as well as the later ones which would clearly impact Australian society.

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 The participation in the Vietnam War was a controversial issue. Communism was seen as a threat to Australia. “Forward Defence” enabled the government to claim that sending the troops to Vietnam was to help the security of the nation. The “Domino Theory” was a concern. It was believed that if South Vietnam fell to communism, then communism would spread to the rest of Asia and even Australia. This meant that if Australia stopped the spread of communism to South Vietnam by joining the Vietnam War and winning it, then it will ensure safety in this area. This influenced Australia’s ...

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