The Domino Theory was not a real threat to Australia but was part of the political propaganda used

to encourage Australians to participate in the Asian chapter of the Cold War. The Domino Theory claimed that countries were being taken over by communism one by one, starting from Russia. There is much evidence that Australian politicians used the threat of communism and the domino theory to gain political power and favour with Australian voters. There is no factual evidence that communism spreads from country to country and so there is no evidence that Australia was actually under threat of becoming communist simply because Australia is located close to Asia. This concept was known as the domino theory and it was first suggested when President Eisenhower spoke about the Asian countries falling to communism like dominoes in 1954.However, while Eisenhower never intended for the theory to be extended to countries beyond Asia, other political leaders have since used the Domino analogy to justify or explain their reasons for being involved in battles that are not directly related to protecting their own boarders. What struck fear into the hearts of Australians was the fact that the government had indicated that China and Vietnam had fallen to or were in threat of going into communism and that in accordance with the Domino Theory countries would fall down like dominos all over the world. The fact is Chinas form of communism was different to that of the USSR and Vietnams communism was also different to both these countries. It is also interesting to note that rivalry between communist states existed during the Cold War. This shows the internal drive for communism was more important for these countries that external drives. Further, many of the countries that turned to communism believed their democratic governments were corrupt. These populations turned to communism as alternative to the ongoing abuse of their rights. All of this evidence shows that the domino theory was wrong. In suggesting that countries become communist from the influence or threat of their neighbouring countries. It was also wrong to suggest that Australia was under threat of communism because it was close to Asia. In reality, the Australian Liberal party played on fears of communism and used the Domino Theory to gain the vote of the Australian people. In 1949 Robert Menzies won the election because people believed that was their best chance to defend them against communism. He promised to stop communism coming to Australia. Menzies proposed a Bill that would ban communism from Australia, which was passed by parliament in October 1950, which was later, challenged defeated in High Court by the Communist Party of Australia. He then held a referendum to change Australias constitution to outlaw communism. The result was that the referendum just failed with yes votes of 2317927 and no votes of 2370009. But Australians doubted the threat of communism because both the Bill and the referendum were knocked back. The next election was coming up and the liberal party was behind in numbers. So in the lead up to April 1954, Menzies used Petrov Affair to build fear of communism and stay in power. The opposition leader Evatt was convinced that Menzies had used The Affair to boost support in numbers for a strong anti communism push. He was probably correct in this because before the Petrov affair the poll showed Menzies was going to lose the 1954 election. The long-term outcome of the affair was that Menzies was able split the Labor, which would keep the Labor party out of government until

the 70s. These events prove that the threat the threat of communism to Australia and hence the Domino Theory was largely political propaganda designed to win elections. Another factor influencing Australias actions in Asia during the Cold War was its treaties. The Australian Government signed treaties with US, UK and others to pledge support in conflicts overseas. Some people say that these treaties were more about foreign policy objectives (such as trade) than defending Australias shores. To gain support of the in Australians people in the Cold War conflicts in Asia, the Australian Government had to promote the Domino Theory. The Government created the hysteria around the potential threat of communism to convince the people that it was right to go to war in Korea and Vietnam. The Government needed to convince Australians that its communist neighbours were a threat to them in order to gain support for Australias support of its allies in the Asian wars. Menzies believed that Australia should honour its treaty commitments. Through neither ANZUS nor SEATO stipulated that Australia must enter the war, Australia was not really asked to enter the Vietnam War. Instead Prime Minister Menzies asked America to ask South Vietnamese to ask the Australia to assist them. It is interesting to know Australia was not really asked to enter the Vietnam War. Instead Prime Minster Menzies asked America to ask the South Vietnamese. To ask the Australian people to assist them.