Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War - Short Essay

There are many reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Each of these reasons played a major part on the final decision, which eventually had led to Australia’s involvement. Some of these reasons include: the domino theory, the forward defence strategy, as well as political obligations (SEATO), the containment of communism, and finally to show loyalty to the United States of America.

The first of many reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was the domino theory. Domino theory was a theory believed by many countries, the theory stated if one country fell under communist domination, its neighbours would fall like a line of dominoes. Now this theory was used by President Eisenhower of the U.S (at the time) if one country fell in South-East Asia the rest would fall. The big question for Australia was where the dominoes would stop falling, and this was a big threat to Australia as we were surrounded by many Asian countries. Therefore, Australia was ready to fight, if it would bring an end to communism or the domino theory.

The forward defence strategy was another key reason for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Forward defence was a very cunning and smart tactic used by the Australian government. The tactic was that it would be ideal if we fought in another country rather than our own. This was because we would avoid as many casualties and costs of having a war in our own country, yet we would still be fighting for something we believed in.

Another reason for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was political obligations that Australia was tied to. These obligations included the SEATO. The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation was formed in order to prevent other countries in South-East Asia falling under communism. SEATO agreed on economic, social and cultural co-operation between the member countries. They had also decided to aid countries in South-East Asia who came under armed attack. Countries that had signed...