The impossible alliance : Australia, the United States and the post-war settlement of 1919

Abstract

Until the dark days of 1942 Australia took only sporadic interest in foreign affairs. For the most part her international outlook was one of disinterest; the result of an unconscious provincialism. Australia rejected the view that she had a material or moral interest in taking an active part in international politics. Dominion status within the British Empire meant that routine diplomatic negotiations were still conducted on behalf of Australia by the Government in London. Australian foreign policy in the period between the wars tends therefore to have a pragmatic character. Only when the Australian Government felt that its interests were not being adequately met by Whitehall did the authorities in Melbourne become vocal on their own behalf and pursue a line independent of London. They were limited in the extent to which they could act independently because lacking independent status they lacked access to world councils.