ASEAN and regional cooperation, 1967-2000

H2 History - syllabus 9174, 2027

Why ASEAN was formed, how it managed disputes, ZOPFAN and the Bali Summit, its campaign over Cambodia, its growth after the Cold War, and how to judge the ASEAN Way.

• Why ASEAN was formed in 1967

  ASEAN was founded to manage regional quarrels, build national resilience and cope with an uncertain Cold War environment.

• The early years: managing disputes and ZOPFAN

  In its first years ASEAN achieved little in economics but helped stop quarrels, such as over Sabah, from becoming wars.

• After 1975: the Bali Summit and new momentum

  The communist victories of 1975 shocked ASEAN into its first summit, a treaty on peaceful relations and early economic cooperation.

• ASEAN and the Third Indochina War

  ASEAN led the diplomatic campaign against Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia, which was its greatest Cold War success, though members differed.

• ASEAN after the Cold War, 1991-2000

  After 1991 ASEAN deepened economic cooperation, expanded to ten members and built forums to engage the major powers.

• Judging ASEAN: the ASEAN Way and its limits

  Consensus and non-interference kept ASEAN united and members at peace, but limited what it could achieve.

• Put it together: Judge ASEAN's record

  Choose a criterion and see what it reveals about ASEAN.