Australia
Commonwealth State of Australia – “Movement of Order and Unity”
Background
The fall of the United Kingdom in 1941 during Operation Sea Lion created a major political and ideological vacuum across the former British Empire. One of the most significant consequences unfolded in Australia, where Britain’s defeat triggered a national crisis over identity, security, and Australia’s place in the world.
Without the metropole to maintain stability, Australian political elites fractured between those who favored alignment with the United States, and those who advocated a nationalist, self-sufficient, and militarized direction.
Rise of the Commonwealth State of Australia
In 1943, following the British withdrawal and increasing fear of communist expansion in Asia, the country experienced an institutional takeover led by the National Order League, a coalition of military leaders, nationalist trade unions, and populist politicians.
From this process emerged the Commonwealth State of Australia, an authoritarian state with a corporatist and nationalist character. While it preserved the formal appearance of parliamentary democracy, real power became centralized under a charismatic leadership class.
Official Ideology: Anti-communist, anti-liberal, and defender of a distinct “Oceanic identity.”
Movement of Order and Unity (MOU)
To project influence and prevent either the United States or Communist China from dominating the Asia-Pacific region, Australia spearheaded the creation of a regional alliance called the:
Movement of Order and Unity (MOU)
Principal Members (1946)
| Country | Government Type | Reason for Joining |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Leader) | Corporatist–Populist | Architect of the alliance |
| Burma | Provisional Military Government | Sought protection from China and postwar instability |
| Thailand | Nationalist Authoritarian State | Fear of Soviet and American influence |
| State of Java | Militarized State (Australian-supervised independence) | Economically and militarily dependent on Canberra |
Publicly, the alliance was presented as an Anti-Communist Coalition of Southeast Asia. In practice, it functioned as an Australian sphere of influence, with shared military infrastructure and preferential trade agreements.
Relations with the United States
Relations with Washington remained tense. The United States viewed Australia as a strategic competitor in the Pacific due to Canberra’s rejection of American commercial influence and its intervention in Java and Thailand.
Although Australia was not aligned with the Axis, its nationalist ideology and refusal to integrate into the American system led to recurring diplomatic friction.
Relations with South Africa and Rhodesia
Australia maintained close ties with Rhodesia and the white settler elites of southern Africa. These regions viewed one another as “frontier outposts of European-descended civilization” within predominantly non-European continents.
Key Exchanges:
- Cooperation in agriculture, mining, and rail logistics
- Joint training programs for frontier and counterinsurgency forces
- Trade of Australian uranium for Rhodesian tobacco, leather, and agricultural machinery
- Officer exchange programs between military academies
Military Doctrine
The Commonwealth State reorganized its armed forces based on principles of:
- Continental defense
- Rapid mobilization
- Counterinsurgency operations in jungle and savannah environments
A rigid military identity was promoted, emphasizing discipline, industrial self-reliance, and national pride.
Conclusion
By 1946, Australia was no longer a subordinate dominion of London. It had become the center of a new constellation of authoritarian states in Southeast Asia, determined to defend its region against:
- Communist expansion
- U.S. economic and political influence
- The collapse of traditional colonial empires
The Commonwealth State of Australia emerged as an independent regional power—pragmatic, vigilant, and ready to intervene wherever it perceived threats to its strategic sphere of control.
