From the Sudan to Saigon: A Critical Review of Historical Works

Abstract

War has been one of the dominating features of Australian history since Federation. Australia has been involved in more major conflicts for more years than any other modern industrial nation. Furthermore. Australian governments have consistently shown a willingness, even an enthusiasm, to send their citizens far overseas to fight in wars which seemed to have little bearing on domestic security. Only in meeting the Japanese threat during the Second World War did Australians die in the defence of Australia's territorial integrity. The colonial eagerness to display a commitment to Britain which was evidenced in the oilers of troops for service in the Sudan campaign and the South African War continued undiminished into nationhood. Australia's participation in the First and Second World Wars was automatic. The realignment of relationships after 1945 and the demise of Britain as a world power encouraged Australian leaders to transfer their dependence to the United States. Australia followed the American lead and responded promptly to the United Nations' request for troops to intervene in the Korean conflict, though the 'special relationship' meant nothing when the United States ignored Australian protests and backed the Indonesian seizure of Dutch New Guinea. Governmental confidence in the United States was only temporarily diminished and a succession of hawkish, conservative administrations was keen to see Australians serving alongside their ally in Indo-China even though the decision to commit troops to Vietnam was the most divisive political action of recent time. With this history of martial endeavour and the disruptive effects of war on national life it is, perhaps, surprising that the study of Australia's involvement in war has only comparatively recently received the serious attention of historians.