Differing views of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War eg:
supporters of the war
conscientious objectors
the moratorium movement
Students learn to:
explain the reasons why different groups within Australia supported or opposed Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War
select appropriate sources that reflect different perspectives about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War
Supporters of the war A majority of Australians supported the war initially. This is shown in opinion polls and in the 1966 election result. (see tables on p.251) May 1965 - 52% support for the war July 1965 - 59% support for the war
The Liberal-Country Party coalition government. Won a landslide election victory in 1966 which was fought on the issue of the Vietnam War. Major newspapers.
Opponents of the war The ALP opposition in federal parliament. Lost the 1966 election by a record result - 41 seats.
opposed conscription
believed the war was a civil war and not a war of communist expansion
questioned the value of sending troops to what Arthur Calwell (opposition leader) called an "unwinnable war"
(see Calwell's speech p.256 - very prescient)
From 1968, with the war going badly for the US (and Australia), the anti-war movement, which had spread from the US, grew in strength One example was the Save Our Sons movement, begun in 1965, which opposed conscription. It tried to influence opinion by staging protests, writing letters, and picketing government offices. In 1970, the "Fairlea Five", five women imprisoned for handing out anti-conscription leaflets on government property.
Conscientious Objectors Define the term. They had to prove they had "deep-seated and compelling" reasons for not registering for National Service. Over 800,000 registered, only 1242 were granted Conscientious Objector status.
The Moratorium Movement As the war became more unpopular (due to no clear aims, limited military victories, loss of lives) men who resisted the draft became more numerous. In 1968 the government brought in a two year gaol term for resisting conscription.
The moratorium movement was a series of protest marches which aimed to end Australia's involvement in the war. It followed a similar protest in the US in 1969. May 1970, over 100,000 marched in Melbourne, led by Jim Cairns, ALP member of parliament. 2nd Moratorium, Sept 1970. 3rd Moratorium, June 1971.
Melbourne Moratorium, 1971
"I was only 19", performed by Redgum, 1983
Complete the following:
You are to find five sources, each relating to a different area of support or opposition to the war:
Liberal Party - e.g., election poster or leaflet from 1966 election
Labor Party - e.g., election poster or leaflet from 1966 election
Save Our Sons - poster or leaflet
Conscientious objectors
Moratorium movement
For each source, make notes on the reasons for the support or opposition to the war shown in the source.
Then complete the following writing task: Using the sources, explain why different groups within Australia supported or opposed Australia's involvement in Vietnam.
Differing views of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War eg:
Students learn to:
Supporters of the war
A majority of Australians supported the war initially. This is shown in opinion polls and in the 1966 election result.
(see tables on p.251)
May 1965 - 52% support for the war
July 1965 - 59% support for the war
The Liberal-Country Party coalition government. Won a landslide election victory in 1966 which was fought on the issue of the Vietnam War.
Major newspapers.
Opponents of the war
The ALP opposition in federal parliament. Lost the 1966 election by a record result - 41 seats.
- opposed conscription
- believed the war was a civil war and not a war of communist expansion
- questioned the value of sending troops to what Arthur Calwell (opposition leader) called an "unwinnable war"
(see Calwell's speech p.256 - very prescient)From 1968, with the war going badly for the US (and Australia), the anti-war movement, which had spread from the US, grew in strength
One example was the Save Our Sons movement, begun in 1965, which opposed conscription. It tried to influence opinion by staging protests, writing letters, and picketing government offices. In 1970, the "Fairlea Five", five women imprisoned for handing out anti-conscription leaflets on government property.
Conscientious Objectors
Define the term.
They had to prove they had "deep-seated and compelling" reasons for not registering for National Service.
Over 800,000 registered, only 1242 were granted Conscientious Objector status.
The Moratorium Movement
As the war became more unpopular (due to no clear aims, limited military victories, loss of lives) men who resisted the draft became more numerous. In 1968 the government brought in a two year gaol term for resisting conscription.
The moratorium movement was a series of protest marches which aimed to end Australia's involvement in the war. It followed a similar protest in the US in 1969.
May 1970, over 100,000 marched in Melbourne, led by Jim Cairns, ALP member of parliament.
2nd Moratorium, Sept 1970. 3rd Moratorium, June 1971.
Melbourne Moratorium, 1971
"I was only 19", performed by Redgum, 1983
Complete the following:
You are to find five sources, each relating to a different area of support or opposition to the war:
For each source, make notes on the reasons for the support or opposition to the war shown in the source.
Then complete the following writing task:
Using the sources, explain why different groups within Australia supported or opposed Australia's involvement in Vietnam.
Some good sites to get you started:
Save Our Sons
Moratorium Movement