In the 1920s and 1930s Australia entrusted its security to Britain’s Royal Navy. In 1941 that proved to be a big mistake. Are we making the same mistake now with America and AUKUS?
John Seymour’s new book Australia’s Naval Alliances: Lessons of History tells how Australia depended on the Royal Navy for its naval defence in the interwar period, in the face of ever-mounting evidence that Britain had neither the means nor the will to fulfil its promises.
This dependence distorted the development of Australia’s own forces and left us largely defenceless when the crisis came in 1941 and 1942. That experience has important lessons for Australia, as we once again face rising strategic risks in our region. While we look to America for our defence we should shape our own forces accordingly – including through AUKUS.
John is joined by Professor Hugh White of the Australian National University to discuss Australia’s past experience of alliance failure, and what lessons we might draw for the big strategic questions that face us today.
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Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential.
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The presentation will also be available online. Please make a booking and the Library’s Events team will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join anytime through the Library’s YouTube channel.
About the speakers
John Seymour
John Seymour taught courses in criminal law and justice, criminology, and child welfare law at the Australian National University, retiring as a Reader-in-Law in 1998. In retirement, he developed his long-term interest in naval history. He is currently an Honorary Professor at the ANU.
Hugh White
Hugh White AO FASSA is an emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University in Canberra. A longtime defence and intelligence analyst, he has authored works on Australian strategic and defence policy, Asia-Pacific security issues and global strategic affairs.
Image credit: Australian battlecruiser HMAS Australia in 1914, Alan C. Green, State Library Victoria
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