The Vietnam War which went from 1965 to 1975 involved America and its allies, including Australia, aiming to prevent South Vietnam from an invasion by the communist North Vietnaese. There were many key reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The Americans provided valuable support when they arrived at our aid during the WWII so Australia felt a responsibility to return a favour to the US to maintain healthy foreign relations. Australia also became implicated in the war due to the threat posed by the expansion of communism, known as the “Domino Effect”. On the political front Australia was also very anticommunist and believed to stop the war arriving at our front step we should use the forward defence approach. For these
It only saw Vietnam as a small threat that could be easily eliminated with the help of ‘great and powerful friends’. Australia learnt its lesson and was beaten in Vietnam.

Australia went into Vietnam for many reason, the main reason was the stop the ‘domino effect’ of communism spreading down though South East Asia eventually ending up at Australia. Australia’s military was relatively small in size and knew it could not defend itself on it’s homeland, so it needed to strengthen its allies relying on its ‘great and powerful friends’ for future support. The government of Australia advertised the problems of communism to tell the public that we need to eliminate communism and use a forward defence approach as a measure to ensure Australians safety.

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Bibliography
Websites
Townsville Grammar School, viewed on the 10th of Feburary 2007 <http://www.tgs.qld.edu.au/louise/louise2.htm>

Vets With A Mission 1988, viewed on the 5th of February 2007 <http://www.vwam.com/vets/allies/austra.html>

Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia, viewed in the 5th of February 2007 <http://www.vvaa.org.au/bross-2.pdf>

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade viewed of the 9th of februray 2007 <www.dfat.gov.au/geo/china/fta/submissions/9NIN_09_Mahinder_Lall%20.pdf>

Internet FAQ’s, viewed on the 9th of February 2007
<www.faqs.org/qa/qa-1885.html>

Cyber Sarge’s© 2006, viewed