Gaining independence as the Dominion of West Australia in 1903, the nation underwent an initial period of prosperity until the so-called 'Great Recession' of 1933-39 drew it into a nearly sixty-year period of ruin that began in 1934 when the national government underwent radical changes as the West Australian Communist Party (WACP) took hold and created a heavily militaristic and socialist state under Prime Minister Fred Paterson. It faced numerous international reprisals and sanctions throughout the Cold War for its' status as an essentially rogue nation in a constant state of belligerency with neighboring Australasia. During the Sumatra War, West Australia provided refuge for thousands of former Javanese Communists and served as a base for Communist guerrilla and pirate activities in and