The impact of the war on ONE of the following:

  • Vietnam veterans and families
  • Indo-Chinese refugees
  • Australian culture
  • Australia’s relations with Asia

Students learn to:
  • assess the impact of the war on the chosen study


The impact of the war on Vietnam Veterans and families

external image Photo%20-%20Australian%20War%20Memorial%20-%20dedication%20of%20Vietnam%20Veterans1_11848114_tcm11-18259.jpg

From Textbook
Read p.267 "The impact of war"
  • In what ways was the Vietnam War different from previous wars?

Read Sources 5.23 and 5.24.
  • What impact did mines have on the Australian soldiers?

Read p.266-7 "The Vietnam veterans"
  • What reception was given to returning soldiers? Why?
  • In what way were soldiers affected by post-traumatic stress disorder?
  • What other problems did some veterans suffer from?
  • When and why was the Vietnam Veterans Association formed? What did it achieve?
  • What other belated acknowledgements were given to Vietnam veterans (in 1987 and 1992)?



Websites
Add further details to your responses from the following Department of Veterans' Affairs website pages:

Of further interest:
The nine rules for Australian Army Forces in Vietnam (Vietnam Veterans Association website):

Photos
Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Canberra
A beautiful photo of the Vietnam Memorial at Flagstaff Hill, Wollongong



Activity - Role Play

Work in pairs
  • The year is 1992.
  • You are two Vietnam Veterans who reunite for the first time since the war at the official opening of the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
  • Write a script in which you share your thoughts and feelings about the treatment of Vietnam veterans since the war and the impact the war has had on you and your families.