Varying Responses to Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War
- Submitted by: nicoleh
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- Category: History: World Wars
- Date Submitted: 02/18/2014 12:08 AM
- Pages: 3
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Using the sources provided and your own knowledge, explain the varying responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
The responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War varied abundantly over its government, army, and many sections of the broader community, and created much controversy within Australian society. Majorities opposed to the idea when the Australian Government decided to introduce conscription for compulsory military service of 20 year olds in November 1964. The conscription issue involved its supporters, debates, protests and conscientious objectives. This essay will discuss the varying responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Firstly, despite opposition from within the Army and many sections of the broader community, the responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War did in fact have its’ supporters. They consisted mainly of the Democratic Labor party, Liberal party, the Catholic Church and the press. Belief systems had much influence over the war and largely influenced the Catholic Church and DLP (the DLP had a very large Catholic membership and was very anti-communist.) The press had varying opinions on the matter - The support was there, but it was muted and it tended to question the political situation in South Vietnam, and the Liberal Party rallied behind the leadership of Menzies, showing a lot of support for the action. Source A describes Menzies’ decision in announcing that the government had received a request for further military assistance from South Vietnam. “We have decided – and this has been after close consultation with the Government of the United States – to provide an infantry battalion for service in South Vietnam.” It also demonstrates the support from the government within Menzies’ decision making. They were said to have believed in the domino theory. Source B also writes a letter dated the same day of the announcement from LBJ – The US president – himself to Menzies, expressing...
The responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War varied abundantly over its government, army, and many sections of the broader community, and created much controversy within Australian society. Majorities opposed to the idea when the Australian Government decided to introduce conscription for compulsory military service of 20 year olds in November 1964. The conscription issue involved its supporters, debates, protests and conscientious objectives. This essay will discuss the varying responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Firstly, despite opposition from within the Army and many sections of the broader community, the responses to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War did in fact have its’ supporters. They consisted mainly of the Democratic Labor party, Liberal party, the Catholic Church and the press. Belief systems had much influence over the war and largely influenced the Catholic Church and DLP (the DLP had a very large Catholic membership and was very anti-communist.) The press had varying opinions on the matter - The support was there, but it was muted and it tended to question the political situation in South Vietnam, and the Liberal Party rallied behind the leadership of Menzies, showing a lot of support for the action. Source A describes Menzies’ decision in announcing that the government had received a request for further military assistance from South Vietnam. “We have decided – and this has been after close consultation with the Government of the United States – to provide an infantry battalion for service in South Vietnam.” It also demonstrates the support from the government within Menzies’ decision making. They were said to have believed in the domino theory. Source B also writes a letter dated the same day of the announcement from LBJ – The US president – himself to Menzies, expressing...