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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 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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