Movements against Communism 1951–4
This unit of work focuses on the actions and policies of the Menzies Government in the early 1950s in relation to the perceived threat of communism. It deals with the movement to outlaw the Communist Party and the resulting split in the ALP. The unit is based on pages 164–75 and pages 128–40 of Australia's Democracy: A Short History by John Hirst, and provides activities for students of Australian history or politics. It could be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of students from Years 10 to 12. These pages may be downloaded from this site in PDF form.
Why was communism feared?
Timeline of key events in the campaign against communism
What was the Communist Party Dissolution Bill?
What happened in the 1951 referendum?
Why did the Labor Party split?
Assessment tasks and Additional resources
Introduction | Why was communism feared? | Timeline of key events in the campaign against communism | What was the Communist Party Dissolution Bill? | What happened in the 1951 referendum? | Why did the Labor Party split? | Assessment tasks and Additional resources