Australia's Relationship With The Nation example essay topic

Australia as a developed country has sought to foster successful relationships with other such countries with like-minded interests. In times of war and uncertainty, these relationships would render assistance to each other and various treaties and alliances emphasised this obligation and sense of loyalty to the other country. Post World War II Australia established itself as a nation that was bi-partisan by not seeking special relationships with other countries and furthering the cause of others such as independence in the Dutch East Indies. This bi-partisanship ended when the Menzies Government was elected in 1949 and the new threat of communism emerged in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia joined with the United States of America to fight against communism -effectively souring relations between Russia and other Asian nations, whilst seeking to maintain its ties with Britain. The fear of communism expressed by these nations eventuated into the start of the Korean War and Malayan Emergency where under the ANZUS and SEATO treaties, Australia rushed to aid US forces in their efforts to stop the expansion of communism. This continued in the Vietnam War where once again Australia's relations with the US were becoming stronger with the increasing aid that was being offered in the war. After these wars, Australia started to strengthen its ties in the Asian region with Gough Whitlam recognising China as a nation in 1972 and meeting Chairman Mao. Australia partaking in many economic summits and fostering relations in this prospering region ultimately promoted unity between the nations providing many tangible benefits to Australia.

In 1949, a new agenda in foreign relations was formulated in response to the increased threat of Communist Asian invasion occurring on Australian soil. This policy intended to strengthen Australia's relationships with developed democratic countries (namely Britain and the United States) in military and economic aspects. The foremost proponent of this initiative was largely associated with the newly elected Liberal Party under Sir Robert Menzies. The influencing factor that motivated the government in a change of direction in foreign policy was the belief that Australia would be incapable of adequate defence in the event of a communist attempt at an invasion of Australia and thus looked to these countries for support. With the fear of communism impacting Australia internally with the Communist backed trade union coal strikes and externally with countries to the north such as China, Vietnam and North Korea under communist influence, it was time for the government to act. As a result, Menzies decreed that "We must commit ourselves with our great friends and allies... ". and did so by joining the US in its fight against communism.

In June 1950 the communist dominated North Korea crossed the thirty-eighth parallel and invaded South Korea with plans to expand its communist base and regime. This attack was seen as an attack on democracy resulting in the UN backing the United States in sending forces in to battlefield to end communism in that area. Australia was the first country to support the US in the war and to demonstrate its loyalty to the US and commitment to the war on communism, the government immediately provided aircraft, destroyers and a squadron of the RAAF to aid the war efforts. Later, further reinforcements were sent in and the war ended with three hundred Australian casualties in 1953 after both sides agreed to a ceasefire. As an example of the Menzies forward defence policy, the Korean War strengthened relations with the US and started according to Menzies, a "credit balance of goodwill". While this war improved the Australia-US relationship that existed, another war was fought where Australia's relationship with Britain was maintained.

In the 50's, fear of communism in Malaya was a dominating factor in the nation and after a communist guerrilla movement gained influence in the country, Menzies sent air and naval support to the British. The fight in Malaya lasted until 1960 and the results were satisfactory to both Australia and Britain who reaffirmed their strong relationship after the attacks. In terms of Australian foreign relations, the country was considered an ardent supporter of the United States with Harold Holt coining the catch cry, "All the way with LBJ!" The end of the Korean War and Malayan Emergency marked new beginnings for the Australian army, when Menzies turned to the situation in Vietnam, where the north and the south were fighting for government control over all of the country. After sending increasing reinforcements to the area, public opinion of the Liberal Party dropped leading to the Whitlam Labor Government's election in 1972. Whilst American relations had not been stronger during the Vietnam War, the election of Gough Whitlam threatened the progress that had been made with the Americans who was against trading with the country and fighting in the Vietnam War. Many alliances and agreements have been made between Australia and other nations from the Chifley Government until present times.

Most notable during the Menzies era were the ANZUS and SEATO treaties. The ANZUS treaty was signed in 1951 between Australia, the US and New Zealand to form a strong bond in their fight against communism and to render assistance to each other in the event of an attack on either of their countries. This treaty brought these nations together in all aspects and promoted loyalty to each other. The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) was formed in 1954 as an alliance of powers opposed to communism in South-East Asia. It was a treaty immediately signed by Australia as it embodied all the principles of their 'forward defence' policy and extended its links with other countries such as France, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines. Sir Robert Menzies described Australia's involvement with SEATO as, .".. goodwill towards the nations concerned and a desire to help protect them against communist aggression...

". These treaties promoted relations between many different countries and were beneficial to Australia during the context that they were signed in. As mentioned previously, Australia's relationship with its Asian neighbours until the end of the Vietnam War was hostile and aggressive. However with the election of Gough Whitlam and the end of the war, a new attitude was taken to Australia's neighbours. Gough Whitlam recognised that Australia was indeed in the Asian region and recognised communist China in a move of good faith. Currently, China is Australia's fourth largest trading partner and both the Australian and Chinese Governments are working on a Free Trade Agreement.

Under Ahmed Sukarno in Indonesia, Australia's relationship with the country between 1949 and 1967 had soured considerably due to their aggression towards Malaysia. However after the election of President Suharto, Australia's relationship with the nation improved again both through economic ties and through ASEAN. With the invasion of East Timor and the 1997 Asian economic crisis, relations with this country have been shaky. Australia's foreign relations have changed significantly since the end of World War II. Its traditional ties that the nation had with Britain were extended to the United States which was seen as the dominant world power at the time. This relationship was formed to fight communist aggression and out of Australia's dependence on the country.

Post Vietnam War, Australia expanded its relations to the Asian region where through many outlets; Australia has fostered good relations with China and Indonesia in particular..