Australia's Policy Towards Indonesia In The Early Cold War (1947-1949)

After World War II, the oppressed nations in Asia set off a wave of national independence. Nationalists such as Sukarno, Indonesia, set up the Republic of Indonesia to strive for national self-determination. However, the Netherlands attempted to rebuild colonial rule in Indonesia, and launched two colonial wars. Facing this nearest northern neighbor with large population, Australia, thanks to security and economic reasons, extended positive support to the Republic of Indonesia. It put the Indonesia issue on the table of the Security Council and General Assembly consecutively, brought forward"Progressive Independence"policy towards Indonesia, and put in the"Critchley Proposal"for further discussion. Moreover, Australia attended the Asian Conference aimed at denouncing the aggressive actions of Netherlands. All these efforts were paid out to get the goodwill from the newly established Indonesian state. On the other hand, out of geopolitical consideration, Australia was wary of Indonesia's potential power. As a result, it firmly opposed the reversion of the Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia, and supported the Netherlands to keep its control on the land.Guided by historical materialism, this paper bases its argument on original documents from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and a great number of archives declassified by the United States government. It analyzes in detail Australia's policy towards Indonesia in the early Cold War. What's more, this article attempts to reproduce the changing process of Australia's policy to Indonesia, and the policy implementation in the early Cold War. Meanwhile, it also discusses briefly major characteristics of Australia's policy, and those influencing factors on it.This article includes four parts:Firstly, it introduces the historical background of Australia's policy to Indonesia in the early Cold War, examines the development and orientation of post-war Australian foreign policy, and analyzes the post-war situation in Indonesia as well as its impact on Australian interests.Secondly, it analyzes Australia's policy to Indonesia during the First Dutch-Indonesian War. At the outbreak of the war, Australia changes from the pre-war "balanced" policy between the Republic of Indonesia and the Netherlands to limited support for the Republic of Indonesia. This part focuses on the active involvement of Australia to Indonesia issue, the formulation of Indonesian "gradual independence" policy and the reasons for its failure.Thirdly, it analyzes Australia's policy to Indonesia during the Second Dutch-Indonesian War. After the outbreak of the Second war, Australia increases its support to the Republic of Indonesia by attending the Asian Conference, submitting the Indonesia issue to the United Nations General Assembly. At the same time, Australia, in order to ensure its maximum safety, firmly opposes the Netherlands New Guinea being returned to the Indonesian Federation.Fourthly, it analyzes the characteristics and influencing factors on Australia's policy to Indonesia during the early Cold War period.All in all, Australia's Policy towards Indonesia during the early Cold War period deeply affected by the geo-politics factor, the international situation of the Cold War as well as the impact of the relationship between the United States and Australia. Maintenance of Australian national security and assurance of the best interests of Australia are the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal of Australia's foreign policy.