What are arguments for and against Australia's involvement in World War 2?

Answer 1

In favour of Australian involvement Domino Theory: If Vietnam fell to communism, South-East Asia would follow, and South Asia would be at high risk of communist invasion. Forward Defence. The fear was raised that an enemy not engaged in Vietnam would be fought eventually onshore in Australia. Perpetuating Alliance. Australia had grim memories of the Japanese advance and the inability of Britain to help. Australia had then needed and continued to need alliance with the United States of America for its security. Repelling communism. The Russian and Chinese leadership were perceived as openly threatening to the non-communist world. The mercurial Sukarno had been courted by the Soviet Union, and had the awkward habit of referring to Australia as "Irian Jaya Selatan" - the great hot South Land, as though it would in time be part of the Indonesian archipelago. Australia had been involved in the repulsion of communist guerillas in Malaya. Supporting the non-communist people of South Vietnam. Against Australian involvement Vietnam had been a French colony, and was fighting for independence. The war was a perpetuation of the colonial system. The war in Vietnam had characteristics of a civil war. Honourable support would be to bring the conflict to a negotiating table. Guerilla war is a catalogue of atrocities, with no possibility of defining the enemy on the ground. Thus all civilians are at risk of death or injury. Prosecution of the war by use of napalm, bombing and defoliants caused revulsion on Australia.