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Example research essay topic: South East Asia Second World War - 1,651 words

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... year later. The ANZUS treaty signed by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in 1951 represented the security blanket Australia had been desperate for since the end of the Second World War. The ANZUS treaty has since become the cornerstone of the Australian foreign policy. 15 Originally, the treaty was supposed to act as a protection from the powerful forces of Japan. But soon after ANZUS was signed the Japanese realized the strength of such an agreement and decided to sign a peace treaty with Australia as well.

In 1952 Australia and Japan signed their own treaty for peace, and with this signing ended the age-old threat of Japanese invasion. This enabled Australia to work with Japan to improve trade and diplomatic affairs. Since the early 1950 s Japan has been a model citizen in the region, and has proved to Australia that a little trust and communication can go a long way. The ANZUS agreement had its downsides as well, basically stating that if there was any conflict in the Asian Pacific region Australia would be obligated to participate on the side of the U. S. The treaty also established a hierarchy of power, the United States would for the most part have the final word, and Australia was therefore treated as a junior partner.

But this was the price that Australia would be forced to pay for its security. As Xavier Pons wrote: taking orders is after all much easier than taking risks. On April 7, 1954 American President Eisenhower coined a phrase that become notorious with Australian foreign policy. His domino theory presented the way he thought communism would spread throughout Asia. He believed that if one country fell into communist rule the rest would fall in order like dominoes, and Australia was the last domino in the chain. Australians took this theory to heart as shown by its impact on foreign policy throughout the 50 s and 60 s.

Australia decided that: It was thus natural and sensible that Australia should support policies aimed at strengthening the capacity of Chinas neighbors to resist her domination. The South-East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1954 was designed to meet not so much open aggression as infiltration and indirect Communist aggression in South-East Asia. This treaty would improve relations with Southeast Asian countries by means of military, economic, and humanitarian aid in hopes of helping weaker countries resist the pull of communism. The Korean War, SEATO, and ANZUS provided a background for events to follow, events, which Australia had no choice but to take part in. The defeat of the French at the hands of the Vietnamese in 1954, and the resulting split of Vietnam in 1956, confirmed the validity of the domino theory. The situation in South East Asia was worsening, and those who feared communism were forced to take action against North Vietnam.

Australias position in Vietnam seemed to be clear cut. Malcolm Booker defined Australias role in the region by stating: after the Korean War Australia became increasingly identified with (a) policy of all-out opposition to communism. With Menzies still being the Prime Minister, a full supporter of U. S. policies, it was not a big surprise that in 1956 Australia committed three battalions to Vietnam.

His reasons for this commitment being: if the United States is to come to Australias defense in the event of a foreign attack, Australia must give practical support to American policies in Asia. The policy of forward defense was another reason for the commitment of troops. Australia also had no choice but to follow America in to the war because of the ANZUS treaty, and the fact that it was the only way to be assured of the continued security that the U. S. provided at the time. The decision to sent troops to Vietnam marked another turning point for Australian foreign policy.

Australias image in Asia was destroyed due to the Vietnam War because it showed to many countries in Asia that Australia was at the beck and call of the United States. This was an image that Australia could hardly afford. However, the Vietnam War did serve as a wake up call to Australia that it was time to begin to mend relationships with its neighbors in Asia. Reevaluating Foreign Policy after Vietnam The time after the Vietnam War forced Australia to think once again about her place, not only in the world, but her place in the Asian region.

A victorious Vietnam sent the United States out of the region leaving Australia somewhat on her own. This period of time was used to reevaluate foreign policy. The image (of Australia) suffered, particularly in Asia, where its well-established racist reputation was reinforced by its willingness to fight for Western imperialism. Australia found herself in a position of trying to establish friendly relationships with Asian countries in light of differences in the past with these same nations.

This meant significant changes in foreign policy. New Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was one of the first to realize that a change was necessary in order to establish relationships with Asia. In an address to parliament, Whitlam said the following about reevaluating foreign policy: The change of government provides a new opportunity for us to reassess the whole range of Australian foreign policy and attitudes Our thinking is towards a more independent Australian stance in international affairs, an Australia which will be less militarily oriented and not open to suggestions of racism; an Australia which will enjoy a growing standing as a distinctive, tolerant, cooperative and well-regarded nation, not only in the Asian and Pacific region, but in the world at large. The two main aspects of Australias foreign policy after the Second World War and ending with the Vietnam War were: first, to keep close ties with the United States, and secondly, to always be aware of rivalries started through military conflicts. However the early 70 s represented a time when Australia would take a step away from this old foreign policy, and attempt to become a more independent and free thinking nation. This realization was a result of the Vietnam War.

Australia, during the Vietnam War, began to see the dark side of American politics, and because of this Australia wanted and needed to focus her policies towards themselves in order to patch up relations with her Asian neighbors. After 1972 the policy of forward defense became replaced by forward thinking. The international scene had changed dramatically after the Vietnam War, becoming more ideological, more pragmatic, increasingly interdependent and, in important respects, multi polar. The more peaceful atmosphere provided Australia with the opportunity to reshape her foreign policy.

Senator Gareth Evans described the new Australian approach to national security: Our approach to national security is one that focuses not just on defense preparedness, both internally and through appropriate alliances, but also on achieving a stable and attractive political and economic environment he goes on to say, We no longer seek special relationships with anyone because that has been in the past an excuse for not having an Australian foreign policy. But our alliance with the United States remains a fundamental in our defense and foreign policies. While our defense policy is one of self-reliance, it is self-reliance within an alliance framework. It was Australias military experience that built her foreign policy, and now it would be a reflection of those same events that would build her a new foreign policy. The decline of hostility between communist and capitalist countries throughout the 80 s called for a more positive atmosphere for international relations. Australia turned to Southeast Asia to improve foreign relations knowing that the economic benefits could be immense.

Compared to circumstances even a decade ago, Southeast Asia is certainly a more stable arena. Australia must rely on this stability in order to come up with a foreign policy that can help benefit Australia through economic opportunities. To achieve success, Australia must rely on SEATO and diplomatic talks to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship with Asian community. Australia has been through some hard times in her attempts to find a place in the international environment. Since 1949, Australia has depended on other more powerful nations for protection and security. Recently Australia has been trying to establish herself as a competent, independent member of the Asian region.

But there are still signs of the old foreign policy in todays government. The conflict in East Timor has once again brought violence into South East Asia. Australia has failed to act on this matter in a way that would help prove to the world that indeed she is a powerful nation determined to keep the peace in her own region. But, Australia has waited too long and is now, once again asking for help from her old allies who have no interest in getting involved. Australia is still caught between her heritage and her location, torn to do what is right, but often influenced to make decisions that come back to haunt her. It is interesting to read what Australian Malcolm Booker has to say about the foreign policies of his own country: It is still generally assumed that others will save us in times of trouble.

We now enjoy taking independent postures in world affairs but give little thought to how we would deal with any future challenge to our independence. We have become assertive but are no closer to self-reliance; we are affluent but defenseless. In short out nationhood has yet to face its first real test; this will come when our luck runs out. Australia must find a way to develop a foreign policy that, one, does not rely solely on a more powerful country and, two, places great emphasis on the fact that Australia must learn to co-exist in this region. If a policy such as this is not established her luck will run out. Bibliography:


Free research essays on topics related to: domino theory, south east asia, vietnam war, second world war, foreign policy

Research essay sample on South East Asia Second World War

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