The sources of Australian policies towards Asia, 1839 - 1939

Abstract

The colonial pre-occupation with defence is one of the most striking aspects of nineteenth century politics in Australia. A highly developed sense of vulnerability seems to have played a part in this; another factor was the strong identification with Britain through which Britain's potential enemies equally posed a threat to Australia. It was in this last connection that South East Asian territories first entered Australia's calculations of security, since the nature of the threats posed by Britain's potential European enemies was envisaged as being directed against Australia via Asian and Pacific territories held by those powers.