Australia’s Response to the Threat of

Communism in Asiapost WWII

S. AngeloHead Teacher, History

East Hills Girl’s Technology High School2008

Background to Communism Post 1945

Cold War PeriodDemocratic (USA) V Communist (USSR) governmentsCommunists believed in state control & ownership of the means of production & single party politicsDemocratic/Capitalists believed in free enterprise & democratic party politicsNo open war

relied on espionageattempts to dominate areas of the worldArms race – build up of weapons & support for smaller wars

Spread of Communism

1939 – 1945 USSR gained Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania & Bessarabia

1948 USSR controlled eastern European states (except Yugoslavia)

USSR controlled East Germany and East Berlin

1949 China became communist

1950 Nth Korea attacked Sth Korea

Australia’s Involvement in the Korean War

The Korean War was the first time that members of the United Nations acted collectively to repel aggression Australian units served in combat from 1950 to 1953 and continued in Korea from the armistice to 1957 as part of the United Nations forces

From September 1950, the multinational force cleared South Korea and advanced into North Korea towards the border with China. 

AUSTRALIA AND THE KOREAN WAR cont.

In November 1950 after the Chinese entry to the war, the UN ground forces faced Chinese offences which forced them to retreat in appalling winter conditions to positions south of the 38th parallel.

With a continuous front from sea to sea, the dramatic advances and withdrawals of the first six months came to an end. 

The Hawker Sea Fury was a single-seat, single-engine, carrier-based fighter-bomber used by the British Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Australian Navy during the Korean War.

Fairey Firefly 5

Used by: Royal Air Force Fleet Air Arm, Royal Australian Navy

Maryang San "Operation Commando" 5-8 October 1951“ ... probably the greatest single feat of the Australian Army during the Korean War.”Robert O'Neill, Official Historian of Australia in the Korean War

http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/operations/maryang_san/maryang

_san.htm

http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/korea/folder.asp?folder=18

http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/korea/index.asp

http://www.koreanroll.gov.au/history.aspx

After early 1951 offensives and counter offensives the war entered a phase of contesting heavily defended emplacements along the front which eventually became the cease fire line. 

Despite the first initiatives in 1951 to end the war it dragged on until 27 July 1953 when an armistice was signed.

From 29 June 1950 to 27 July 1953, some 17000 Australian sailors, soldiers and airmen served in the Korean War.

Australian casualties were: 339 killed, 1216 wounded and 29 prisoners of war. 

Twenty other countries contributed combat and medical units to the United Nations command in Korea.

Origins, responsibilities and purposes of the ANZUS Treaty

In Sept 1951 the US, Australia & NZ signed the ANZUS Treaty

The Treaty does not specifically commit the US to come to Australia’s defence in the event of an attack

The spirit of the treaty is understood to imply that each nation would provide assistance if needed

ANZUS still exists

Origins, responsibilities and purposes of the SEATO Alliance

SEATO – South East Asian Treaty Organisation signed in Sept 1954Members include – US, Britain, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, France, NZ, and AustraliaTreaty did not mean automatic commitment of forces but the intent was there

SEATO bound Australia closer to the US

Acknowledged there were dangers in this region

Encompassed idea of “forward defence”

Australia