Fear of communism helped authoritarian rulers justify their power and win US support. In Indochina, communist victory created one-party states.
Communist movements were strong in the region. Governments fought communist insurgents in Malaya (1948-1960), the Philippines (the Huk rebellion, and the New People's Army from 1969) and Thailand.
Rulers used the communist threat to justify emergency powers. Marcos cited it when he declared martial law in 1972. After 1965 Suharto's army destroyed the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), killing hundreds of thousands of people. Anti-communism became a pillar of his New Order.
The USA backed anti-communist governments, democratic or not. It supported Thailand's military rulers, who allowed US air bases during the Vietnam War, as well as Marcos and Suharto.
In Indochina, communist parties won power: in North Vietnam from 1954, and in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in 1975. They set up one-party states.
As the Cold War ended, US tolerance for dictators fell. The USA urged Marcos to leave in 1986. The fading communist threat also weakened the case for military rule in Thailand and Indonesia.
- Malayan Emergency
- 1948-1960.
- PKI destroyed
- 1965-1966.
- Communist victories
- Indochina, 1975.
Worked example: Linking the Cold War to forms of government
How did the Cold War shape governments?
- Threat: insurgencies justified emergency powers.
- Support: US aid and arms for anti-communist rulers.
- Victory: communist one-party states in Indochina.
- End: less outside support for dictators.
Watch out for this
The Cold War caused every authoritarian government in the region.
Local leaders chose authoritarian rule for their own reasons, such as staying in power. The Cold War gave them a justification and outside support.
Check your understanding
How did Marcos justify martial law in 1972?
- He pointed to the threat from communist and Muslim rebels.
- He said the USA had ordered it.
- He said he had lost an election.