Luke English 8/4/14

Australia and the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was extremely controversial and it created a rift between the
supporters and opponents. This division in Australian society was furthered by numerous
groups actions in response to Australias involvement in the war. Despite most Australians
favouring the decision to send soldiers to Vietnam in 1965, support of the war gradually
declined until ultimately large anti-war rallies were held in 1970. Numerous associations
were created in opposition of the Vietnam War and the conscription of Australian men,
including Save our Sons and the Draft Resisters Union. One of the most powerful protests
that were held were the Vietnam moratorium marches.
In 1966, the Liberal Party won the federal election. One of their core beliefs was in
the support of the Vietnam War. Conversely, the Labour Party lost the election with the
worst results since 1931. This political defeat is partially due to their opposition of sending
troops into Vietnam. Before the electoral success, the Menzies government had already
implemented conscription in 1964. 6900 men, older than 20, were selected each year for
national service. In the Vietnam War, 40 percent of the soldiers that fought were
conscripted. This decision to force men into war was one of the main reasons for opposing
the Vietnam War. Many people at the time felt that it was immoral to make people kill.
Others believed that the war in Vietnam was one of a civil nature and that Australian
forces had no place in it. In response to this compelled conscription, in May 1965, a group of
Australian mothers formed the Save Our Sons association to protest against the conscription.
The group performed many different protesting activities such as letter-writing, protest
rallies and picketing government offices. In 1971, five members from Save Our Sons were
arrested for distributing anti-war leaflets to people at the Department of Labour and
National Service in Melbourne.
As the conflict in Vietnam continued to go poorly, with many Australian soldiers
(including conscripts) becoming injured or even dying, the anti-war movement spread
rapidly in Australia. Support for the Vietnam War quickly declined and in October 1969, an
opinion poll showed that only 39 per cent of the Australian population was in support of the
Vietnam War. This reflects the swift decline when compared with the statistic of 59 per cent
support in July 1965.
This growing opposition of the Vietnam War condensed into two major protests in
Sydney and Melbourne in 1970. The Vietnam moratorium marches were nonviolent and
well-organised demonstrations of the mass support against the Vietnam War. They
attracted people who would not have typically protested because they were a safe and
peaceful way to show support for the anti-war movement.
Luke English 8/4/14
After the Vietnam moratorium marches, Australia began to reduce the military
occupation in Vietnam. The number of troops was further reduced in 1971 and by 1972, in
February, the remaining Australian soldiers were brought home. Ultimately, around 50,000
Australian military personnel served during the Vietnam War. Out of these personnel, 520
died and 2400 were injured.
The Vietnam War was extremely debated during its time and even after. Many
historians question whether Australia made the right decision to send forces. It was a very
controversial war and it created a fierce division in Australian society. The forced
conscription that was introduced during the war only increased the opposition for the war
and it also caused numerous groups to form in resistance. Many rallies and protests were
held by these groups and their peaceful objection to the war eventually was successful in
bringing all Australian forces back from Vietnam.

Bibliography
Mason, KJ 2007, Experience of Nationhood, 5th edn, McGraw-Hill Australia Pty
Ltd, North Ryde, NSW.