1 / 11

Australian Foreign Policy

Australian Foreign Policy. Two Phases…. Pre WWII – the importance of the Empire Post WWII – the US alliance, ‘ Cold War ’ A third phase??? End of Cold War to now…. From Minor to Middle Power. “ Australian Foreign Policy has never had a major impact on world events ” (text, p. 227)

axel-chen
Download Presentation

Australian Foreign Policy

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Australian Foreign Policy

  2. Two Phases… • Pre WWII – the importance of the Empire • Post WWII – the US alliance, ‘Cold War’ • A third phase??? • End of Cold War to now…

  3. From Minor to Middle Power • “Australian Foreign Policy has never had a major impact on world events” (text, p. 227) • Population has an impact. • Wants to be seen as a “useful and constructive international citizen” (p. 227)

  4. Whitlam • PM from 1972-1975. • ‘Dismissal’ by the GG Kerr. • Internationalism. • China – recognised and visited PRC. • Withdrew Australian troops from Vietnam. • Pursued a multi-polar world. • Changed the mentality of Aus Foreign Relations towards Asia.

  5. Fraser • PM 1975-1983. • Supported opposition of Apartheid. • Recognised Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor. • Supported boycott of 1980 Moscow Olympics. • Supported multiculturalism, including increased Asian migration. • Opposed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. • Withdrew recognition of Pol Pot regime.

  6. Hawke • PM 1983-1991. • Integration with the global economy, floated the Australian dollar. • Apartheid – worked with the UN to impose sanctions on South Africa. • Australian Troops sent to the Gulf War. • Formed DFAT. • Condemnation of Tiananmen Square.

  7. Keating • PM 1991-1996 • Heavy focus on engagement with Asia, especially Indonesia. • ASEAN – got Aus a voice at ASEAN. • Special significance on International bodies, e.g. UN. • Pursued significant Internationalist objectives, nuclear disarmament, etc. • Heavy proponent of free trade.

  8. Howard • PM 1996-2007 • Strong supporter of ‘Anglo-sphere’ (US, UK, NZ, etc) • ANZUS invoked after 9/11 • Skeptical of Internationlism, preferred bilateral or small multilateral arrangements, e.g. free trade agreements, war in Iraq, etc. • Favoured practical rather than symbolic engagement with Asia. • East Timor… Asian ‘Regional Security’ • Pacific Solution – detention centers

  9. Rudd • PM 2007-2010. • Internationalist perspective. • Kyoto ratified. • Advocated for greater Aus role in G20. • Asia-Pacific Community. • UN Security Council Seat. • Copenhagen; Nuclear Disarmament • Greater engagement with China.

  10. Gillard / Abbott • PM 2010-??? • What do you think?

  11. Questions to answer! • What benefits did colonists perceive in being part of the imperial defence system? • Why did Curtin look to America for defence? • Define ‘forward defence’. • What are the positives and negatives of forward defence? • Why did Australian foreign policy makers strive for greater independence from the mid 1960s onwards? Were they pushed into doing so?

More Related