Australia's Involvement
Australia became heavily involved in the war, due to their commitment to the U.S and their own democratic beliefs against communism. Australia decided to become involved because firstly, Australia was very anti-communist, and viewed the potential democratic South Vietnam attack, as a full blown communist strike. This is shown by renowned government website, Department of Veteran Affairs article states, “The Australian Government always presented the Vietnam War as one of a Chinese-supported communist invasion of the South by a dictatorial north... This was also consistent with Australia’s role in the ‘Cold War’, as a defender of the democratic and capitalist countries.” (Department of Veterans' Affairs, 2013). Secondly, this increased communist activity led to heightened fear of regional development, as communism was spreading, through China and due to the U.S’s prominent domino theory, Australia feared that regions such as Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia could also turn, right on Australia’s border. This led to the creation of two treaties, which cemented Australia’s anti-communist views, by trying to prevent the spread of communism.
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The ANZUS treaty, between Australia, New Zealand and America, was when the three countries pledged their support for aid in and decided to co-operate in defensive matters, and the SEATO treaty was signed by Australia, America, New Zealand, Britain, France, The Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan, which bound all members to come to the aid of another country if external aggression was evident. These treaties allowed Australia to feel more protected against communism, as shown by Robert Darling, well published author and university lecturer, who states, “Australia’s main objective with these alliances was to block the spread of communism through South-East Asia to Australia.” (Darling, 2012).
Take a look at real Australian footage from the Vietnam War!
Also, the Australian government wanted to tie themselves to the US for security in the region and to prove they were more than paper allies when it came to fighting against communism. This can be shown by Denis Warner, a leading journalist and foreign correspondent with extensive experience stated, “Why is Australia getting involved in the Vietnam War? Partly because we think a communist victory there would threaten the rest of South East Asia and jeopardise our security and partly because of the need to convince the Americans that we are more than paper allies.” (Warner, 1962) For these reasons, Australia felt that it was important to support anti-communist beliefs, which was evident through their commitment to America and Vietnam.
Sources
Australian War Memorial, 2013. Vietnam War 1962-75. [Online] Available at: http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/vietnam.asp [Accessed 6 November 2013].
Department of Veteran's Affairs, 2013. Australia's Involvement in the War. Sydney: Learning Guides.
Desailly, R., 1991. Conflict in the Modern World. Singapore: The Jacaranda Press.
Doyle, J., Grey, J. & Pierce, P., 2002. Australia's Vietnam War. US: Texas A&M University Press.
Hennessy, T., 2013. Celebrations in Australia History: The Vietnam War. [Online] Available at: http://www.naa.gov.au/Images/CelebrationsinAustraliaHistory_tcm16-38529.pdf [Accessed 7 November 2013].
McKay, G., 1992. Vietnam Fragments: Oral History of Australian's at War. Australia: Allen & Unwin.
Rowe, J., 1987. Vietnam The Australian Experience. North Sydney: Time Life Books.
Warnaft, S., 2004. Well May We Say: The Speeches That Made Australia. Victoria: Black Inc.
Department of Veteran's Affairs, 2013. Australia's Involvement in the War. Sydney: Learning Guides.
Desailly, R., 1991. Conflict in the Modern World. Singapore: The Jacaranda Press.
Doyle, J., Grey, J. & Pierce, P., 2002. Australia's Vietnam War. US: Texas A&M University Press.
Hennessy, T., 2013. Celebrations in Australia History: The Vietnam War. [Online] Available at: http://www.naa.gov.au/Images/CelebrationsinAustraliaHistory_tcm16-38529.pdf [Accessed 7 November 2013].
McKay, G., 1992. Vietnam Fragments: Oral History of Australian's at War. Australia: Allen & Unwin.
Rowe, J., 1987. Vietnam The Australian Experience. North Sydney: Time Life Books.
Warnaft, S., 2004. Well May We Say: The Speeches That Made Australia. Victoria: Black Inc.