The Fear of Communism and its Effects on Australia in the 1950s and 60s.

During the mid 1950’s through the mid 1970’s the world faced the spread of Communism. Although Communism hadn’t taken over Australia, Australia was still largely affected. Australia’s concern aroused when the Korean War began in 1950’s and their fear only escalated as the Vietnam War began not long after in the 1960’s. Not only were many wars going on during the time period of 1945-1972, but at the same time a number of agreements were founded and signed. The agreements ensured Australia had back up forces in case it were raided and in result each of Australia’s alliances played a key part in the security of Australia. Australia had a major fear for the domino theory being put into action. Not only was there confusion within the public in Australia, but many issues occurred in the government. “The Petrov Affair” was a possibly spy scandal that only exaggerated the threat within Australia.

When the Communist Party in China won the elections in 1949, a trigger was set off in all the capitalist countries of the world. Despite Australia’s government’s intention on banishing communism, the fear hadn’t left. The ideology of Communism was very manipulating and only caused corruption. During this period of time many Australians were convinced the domino theory would kick in and soon Australia would fall under the communist power. The domino theory was a theory in which the countries of Asia would “fall like dominoes” one after the other, under the power of communists. This theory was convincing yet very manipulating. Robert Menzies used this towards his advantage and won the elections. He had the public convinced that communism was an issue that had to be tackled immediately. He was able to get the public believing that there was more communist influence over Australia than there actually was, and with this he had the nation in fear and therefore under his control.

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Many nations searched for security beyond the boundaries of their own nation. With this, the ANZUS agreement was founded in 1951. The ANZUS agreement not only benefited Australia in many ways, but it also helped out the US as well as New Zealand. The Australia, New Zealand, United States Agreement offered protection for Australia and New Zealand against any possible threats from the Soviet or Chinese in the future. As for the US, they were less conserved on receiving protection; instead the agreement strengthened its alliances with various nations across the globe. Although the treatment benefited the three nations equally, the US later on suspends relations with New Zealand as a member of ANZUS. Australia was lucky to not have any alarming issues with the US within this issue, as they felt like the security and bases of their nation’s security was dependent on their alliance with the US. Even so, ANZUS wasn’t the only agreement Australia had signed to be part of. The SEATO agreement was later signed on September 8, 1954. The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization involved Australia, France, the UK, New Zealand, Pakistan, The Philippines, Thailand, and the US. All the following nations were part of the treaty which was made to provide defense as well as economic assistant in the Southeast Asia and South Pacific area. Although this was the purpose of the treaty, it wasn’t obligated for any nation to assist the other nations against a military threat. SEATO later on became an anachronism in which it only left to the side, without having the effectiveness it was attended to have and with this, the treaty was disbanded on June 30, 1977.

The Korean War took place on June 25th, 1950. This war had a significant impact on Australia. During this time Australia had assumed the domino theory was in play, and was in great fear. Although the Korean War was between the communist and non-communist forces in Korea, Australia felt like they had to step in. Australia felt that if they hadn’t taken action in Korea, their security would’ve been at high risk and they weren’t willing to jeopardize that. The communist aggression in Korea was very concerning, and so Australia did what they could to help out the non-communist Koreans. Australia sent over forces like the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Regiment as well as the Royal Australian Air Force. Over all, around 118,000 lives were spared in the Korean War. This sent a clear message as to how serious Australia was when it came to stopping the spread of communism. They tried to do anything in their power to help keep it spreading any further south of Asia than it already was; in other words, they wanted communism to stay as far away as possible from Australia. The Korean War ended when the Armistice was signed and both forces ceased fire. Although the Armistice was signed, the War is still legally going on.

In 1962, Australia’s dedication towards diminishing communism continued as the Vietnam War began. Australia was committed to assisting Vietnam for ten and a half years in this war and this war is known as the longest involvement Australia had in any war. Around a total of 50,000 Australians served in Vietnam, around 500 died and more than 2,000 were wounded. Australia was fully supporting Vietnam in the war, until not long after the US began withdrawing their troops from Vietnam. With the US’s such dramatic move, Australia finally realized that the Vietnam War wasn’t their war to fight. The only reason Australia had originally sent troops over to assist the non-communist South Vietnam was to insure Australia’s safety and security. They were much confusion over the necessity of Australia being part of the war, which resulted in many protests and the Vietnam War was a very unpopular war.

Overall the effect of communism both directly and indirectly had a major impact on Australia during this time period. The threat received a strong reaction from the Liberal Party of Australia. The Labor and later under Menzies power the Liberal Party decided to seek assistant from other nations. Alliances were formed and rise of communism only helped strengthen Australia’s alliance with the US. Communism spreading was an imminent threat for many countries. Australia noticed the domino theory taking affect but did everything within their power to ensure that the communist authorization wouldn’t reach Australia. Australia participated in a number of wars in Asia which led to countless casualties. Despite the spared lives, Australia was fortunate enough to have not been taken over by the communists and their efforts in each of the Asian country they fought in really did pay off.

Source:

Holt calling
Cartoon by John Frith
The Herald, June 1968
Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

I felt the above cartoon helps illustrate the Vietnam War with a hint of humor. Not only does this source give you some knowledge as to how the conditions were in Vietnam for the Australian soldiers but it takes you away from the hardcore facts that would usually be thrown at you and instead gives further insight in a different technique. The message I believe the artist John Frith was trying to convey was the situation Australian troops were in when fighting in Vietnam. As shown in the cartoon, Australians simply had hand guns and were shooting from muddy environments whilst defending themselves from missiles being launched from helicopters. The Words in the cartoon “The Viet Cong Can’t Win!” speaks volumes and volumes on how much pressure was put onto the lives of the soldiers. They came to Vietnam with the intention of putting a halt to the spread of Communism, but they felt at a disadvantage considering the condition of the environment they were thrown into. Not only did the Australian soldiers feel ill-equipped but they were aware they were put into a no-win situation and Frith’s cartoon just emphasizes this point. I believe this illustration has much value towards historians. Although many statements are made in textbooks and other written sources, it’s always a nice change to be able to visualize a scene in the war, without it being too emotional or confronting. Frith’s cartoon is a more subtle illustration of the war, but is still able to pass the message clearly. With his illustration not only do historians but the public as well are able to picture for themselves the conditions and environment the soldiers were in. The illustration shows the viewer how much of a disadvantage they were, and hopes for the view to be able to sympathize for those who had to face such conditions.

Bibliography:

Evanhoe, Ed. "AUSTRALIA IN THE KOREAN WAR." Australia. 16 Aug. 1999.

<http://www.korean-war.com/australia.html>.

Frith, John. "A Brush with Politics." Old Parliamen House| the Political Cartoons of John Frith|the Herald. National Library of Australia, the Herald. 5 Mar. 2008

<http://www.oph.gov.au/frith/theherald-05.html>.

Larson, Stanley R., and James L. Collins. "Allied Participation in Vietnam." A&Nz. GuessBook. 6 Mar. 2008

<http://www.hotkey.net.au/~marshalle/austinvol/a&nz.htm>.

"OUT IN THE COLD." ANZUS. Australian War Memorial. 6 Mar. 2008

<http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/origins/anzus/anzus.htm>.

"SEATO." SOUTHEAST ASIA TREAT ORGANIZATION (SEATO). World Almanac Education Group. 6 Mar. 2008

<http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?vendorId=FWNE.fw..so152100.a#FWNE.fw..so152100.a>.