History

What was the Cold War?

The post-WW2 rivalry between the USA (capitalist/democratic) and USSR (communist/authoritarian) characterized by no direct fighting; competition occurred through nuclear weapons, the space race, and proxy wars.

What was the Domino Theory?

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would similarly succumb, much like falling dominoes, with eventual implications for Australia.

What was Forward Defence?

Australia's strategic approach to combat communism abroad (e.g., in Vietnam) instead of permitting it to reach Australian shores.

What was the Red Scare?

An era marked by heightened anti-communist sentiment in Australia, during which attempts were made to outlaw the Communist Party in 1951 but failed via a referendum.

When did Australia deploy troops to Vietnam and why?

In 1962, Australia sent troops to support the USA and South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam, motivated by the principles of the Domino Theory and Forward Defence.

What was conscription / the birthday ballot?

A system initiated in 1964 where 20-year-old males were randomly selected for mandatory military service, including potential deployment to Vietnam.

What was the Battle of Long Tan?

A significant 1966 confrontation in which 108 ANZAC troops successfully defended against over 2,000 Viet Cong/North Vietnamese troops; noted as one of the heaviest engagements for Australian forces.

What were the Moratorium Marches?

A series of extensive anti-war demonstrations in 1970, where hundreds of thousands of Australians called for an end to the Vietnam War.

When did Australia receive a complete withdrawal from Vietnam?

In 1973, Australia fully withdrew its military forces from Vietnam.

What is the ANZUS Treaty?

Established in 1951, this agreement between Australia, New Zealand, and the USA stipulates that an attack on one nation would signify an attack on all members, aimed at ensuring mutual defense.

What was SEATO?

The South East Asia Treaty Organisation, formed in 1954 to curb the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, serving as a justification for Australia’s involvement in Vietnam.

Why was the UN formed and what year?

Founded in 1945 after WW2, the UN aims to maintain international peace and security.

Who was Dr H.V. Evatt?

Australia's Minister for External Affairs and a pivotal figure in the establishment of the UN, serving as the President of the UN General Assembly in 1948 and contributing to the drafting of the UDHR.

What is the UDHR?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, which delineates the fundamental rights of every individual; Australia played a role in its formulation.

What did the Aborigines Protection Board do?

This body managed the lives of Aboriginal people under the premise of 'protection', including control over residence, marital choices, and employment, with authority to remove children from families.

What was the Assimilation Policy?

A government strategy from the 1930s to the 1960s aimed at enforcing conformity among Aboriginal peoples (particularly those of mixed descent) to mainstream white Australian culture.

What were the Freedom Rides (1965)?

A campaign led by university students (SAFA) who hired a bus to tour rural NSW, aimed at revealing and confronting racism and segregation against Aboriginal people.

Who spearheaded the Freedom Rides?

Charles Perkins, an Arrernte man and university student, who became a prominent leader in the movement.

What was the impact of the Freedom Rides?

The campaign garnered significant media attention, shocked white urban Australians, shifted public sentiment, and catalyzed support for the 1967 Referendum.

What was the Wave Hill Walk-off (1966)?

Initiated by Vincent Lingiari, this protest began as a call for equal pay and transitioned into a demand for land rights for Aboriginal people.

What were the Yirrkala Bark Petitions (1963)?

Historic documents presented to the Australian Parliament by Aboriginal people, marking the first recognition of traditional Aboriginal claims in response to mining activities on Yolngu land.

What was the Aboriginal Tent Embassy (1972)?

An enduring protest established outside Parliament House in Canberra, advocating for land rights for Aboriginal peoples.

What was the Mabo Decision (1992)?

A landmark ruling by the High Court that abolished the concept of terra nullius and legally recognized Native Title for Aboriginal land rights.

What is terra nullius?

The erroneous legal principle asserting that Australia was uninhabited prior to British colonization, which was invalidated by the Mabo Decision.

What were the impacts of the Stolen Generations?

Consequences included loss of cultural identity, intergenerational trauma, escalated mental health issues, and enduring disadvantages in various domains such as health, education, and employment.

What was the Bringing Them Home Report (1997)?

A national investigation documenting the severe repercussions of child removal policies, culminating in recommendations for a formal apology.

What was the National Apology (2008)?

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's official apology to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Australian Parliament.

What is a proxy war?

A conflict where two superpowers (e.g., USA and USSR) engage indirectly, supporting opposing factions in third-party countries rather than fighting directly.

What is Native Title?

The legal acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights to their ancestral lands.

What is intergenerational trauma?

Psychological and emotional harm transmitted across generations from parents to children.

What is conscription?

Mandatory military service, which in Australia was determined by a birthday ballot starting in 1964.

What does TEEL stand for?

An acronym for Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Linking sentence, outlining the structure for constructing paragraphs in exam essays.