Australia’s Response to Communism in Asia

The Korean War

The Korean War

• Often referred to as “the forgotten war” because of it’s comparison to 2 world wars and Vietnam

• War began when communist N. Korea, backed by Soviet Union, invaded S. Korea in JUNE 1950, with a disagreement over who facilitated elections in S. Korea

U.N Response

• U.N responded by sending forces of 15 nations, including Australia, to counterattack

• U.N forces had to slowly fight back up the Korean Peninsula

Moving Lines

• There were advances and retreats on both sides

• China entered war in November 1950• U.N forces reached and took back N. Korean

capital Pyongyang, only to be driven back into S. Korea by Chinese troops

• Chinese troops experienced, used human wave attacks to force the U.N troops so far back into S. Korea that the S. Korean capital, Seoul, fell

• U.N forces counterattacked and pushed them back to the 38th parallel – a U.N designated border between N. & S. Korea

Fighting Conditions

• Bitterly cold winds

• N. Korean and Chinese armies effectively used human wave attacks

• Terrain was difficult and mountainous

• Guerrilla warfare – using “hit-and-run” attacks

Refugees

• Large number of refugees

• Millions became homeless and were forced to flee

• These became logistical problems for the U.N

RAAF and RAN

• RAAF – Royal Australian Airforce

• RAN – Royal Australian Navy

RAAF

• RAAF flew air support combat missions to support ground troops

• Flew jets in nearly 500 missions and transport unit to provide troops with supplies and reinforcements

RAN

• Sent 9 ships to Korea during the war

• Took part in naval blockades, evacuation of refugees, destruction of minefields, artillery

End of the Korean War

• War ended JULY 1953 with a truce

• Old border at 38th parallel still divides North and South Korea

REFERENDUM TO BAN COMMUNISM

Communist Party Dissolution Bill

• 1950 – Liberal-Country government of Robert Menzies tried to band the Communist Party in Australia by enacting the Communist Party Dissolution Bill

• Bill was passed by House of Representatives

High Court Response

• Communist Party and 10 unions brought the matter before the High Court, claiming the Bill was unconstitutional

• The High Court agreed it was unconstitutional to ban a political party

If that won’t work, change the constitution

• Menzies then decided to amend the Constitution so the party could be banned

• Held a referendum

Australia decides...

• 50.48% against changes

• 49.52% in favour

• Many who voted against the government at the referendum saw that the proposed change would not respect the democratic rights of people to organise political parties