Australian Involvement In The Vietnam War example essay topic

Between 1962 and 1972, Vietnam was the battleground for Australia's largest war commitment to date. No other issue in Australian society has seen as much controversy for so long as the question and wisdom of the Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. During this ten-year period, many protest movements arose and questioned this involvement and the suffering it was causing, not only on Australians but also on the local Vietnamese. An end to Australian involvement was demanded in many pretests and rallies that were held all around the country.

The results of these movements were unheard of leading to the removal or troops and a change in government. Even though this war ended some thirty-one years ago, the veterans and people of the time are still paying for the resulting atrocities. But why did Australia get involved in a conflict that had no direct effect on the people. The prime minister of the time, Robert Menzies, now Sir Robert Menzies, would like us to believe that we got involved due to the domino theory. This theory suggests that if Vietnam were to succumb to communism, then its surrounding nations may choose or be forced into also accepting communism. Much the same way in which one falling domino in a line causes a chain reaction for the rest to fall.

The Australian public later found out that the domino theory was not the only reason behind Menzies pledging Australian forces in Vietnam. Menzies believed that the troop commitment in Vietnam would setup an insurance policy for Australia. Due to our treaty arrangement of ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand and United States) and SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) Australia also pledged it's help. These treaties stated that is Australia were ever to be called upon by either the United States, New Zealand or any free country in South East Asia, then Australian troops would be there to help. So Menzies told the Australian public that he was just adhering to Australians treaties and as South Vietnam had asked for help through SEATO and America through ANZUS then we need to send troops. What Menzies did not tell the public is that south Vietnam wanted to keep the number of intervening countries to a minimum and that it was America that had in fact asked for Australian aid to which Menzies agreed as he believed in the "forward defense strategy.

' Even though Menzies wanted to maintain the strong ties that had been developed between Australia and Great Britain, he saw the USA as a more powerful ally and defender to have. During World War II Britain had proved incapable of defending Australia and it was the USA that has intervened and protected Australia. Menzies believed that is Australia showed it's support in the years after the war ended then if the occasion ever became evident, the USA would be there once again protect the nation. Hence the Insurance Policy was born. So in 1962, the Australian government of the time, the liberal party, led by Menzies, sent a team of thirty military advisers to help train the south Vietnamese army to defend itself against the national liberation front guerillas, or Vietcong, whom were attempting to communism the whole of Vietnam. Along with these advisers Menzies also sent a royal Australian Air force squadron to nearby Thailand.

Much to the surprise of the Australian labor party, Menzies also introduced conscription in November of 1964. The system was knows as conscription by lottery which states that all physically and mentally fit twenty year old and above males whose birthdays feel on specific dates had to serve two years in the Australian armed forces. When conscription was first introduces, the main threat was Indonesia. However by 1965 this threat had dispersed and the Australia's focus was now on Vietnam. On the 29th of April 1965, Menzies made his announcement in parliament that they were to send an Australian troop battalion into Vietnam. Earlier that month, Menzies had already told the current US president of the time Lyndon Baines Johnson of Australia's willingness to commit troops in Vietnam.

In the initial stages of the conflict in Vietnam, South Vietnam was wary of getting Australia involved in helping the fight against the Vietcong. However Johnson had pressured the South Vietnamese government into formally requesting assistance. So on the 28th of April 1965, a formal request was sent to the Australian government. In a bizarre turn of events, the Australian media intercepted the request before it even reached the government.

All but a few of the national newspapers supported Menzies and his decision to send troops into battle. They supported his even more when he assured the public it would be good for Australia as the USA would in return keep Australia safe. The labor party did not officially support the liberal governments decision in sending troops, however many of its members did support the liberal party. The labor party's opposition was also made publicly aware.

Under the leadership of Arthur Cal well the labor party made it known that if they were elected they would put an end to Australian involvement and end conscription. Even thought this pledge was made, the liberal party still easily won the next federal election. In 1965 the public also seemed to support Menzies. Even though most people were in support of sending troops, the 25th may 1965 send off of the first Australian troops was kept a secret. Following the liberal re-election in 1966 the troop commitment in Vietnam was increased. The new Prime minister, Harold Holt, increased the number of troops from 4000 to 6300 along with supplies for the army and navy.

Late in 1967, the troop commitment was once again increased by another 2000 to 8300, the highest number of Australians in Vietnam at one time. At this time there were also 525 000 US troops, 50 000 South Koreans, 2500 Thais and 500 new Zealanders. All the countries sent stoops as they believed in the domino theory also, if Vietnam fell, they would also be vulnerable. Harold Holt disappeared in heavy seas while swimming in 1967. After serving only one year in office. He was replaced by the deputy prime minister of the time, John Gorton.

Holt is the third Australian prime minister to die whilst still in office. However the beliefs of the Australian people began to change in 1968. The Vietnam conflict was the most publicly televised conflict that any country had ever been involved in. The people of the world began to see the way war really was and that people were actually dying. The small towns of Australia were most probably the hardest hit; these towns are where everybody knows everybody.

When the young men who were sent away alive and well came back in body bags, people began to relies that this way was costing Australian lives and that there was no need for this. The governments of the countries also began to realise that this war was pointless and that there was going to be no victory. They also realised that they were losing popularity in the voters and fast. The American government realised that there troops could not win, nor could the 15 million tones of bombs dropped, or the 120 000 tones of napalm used or the 35 000 million kilograms of defoliating chemicals dropped on the Vietcong.

So in 1969 the US government decided that short of dropping a nuclear bomb, there was going to be no victory out of this war. With this realisation came the extraction of troops, with the south Korean, Taiwanese, Australian and new Zealand troops not far behind. By the end of 1971, all Australian troops had been removed from Vietnamese soil. The Australians returned home with a dearth toll of 496 and a casualty list of over 2500. The American forces suffered greater loss; it is still not known exactly how many lives they lost. All American troops were not removed until 1973, however fighting still continued even after foreign countries were extracted.

The north and South Vietnamese armies kept up the fighting between themselves until April of 1975 when Saigon, the main base for the southern forces feel to the north. The south in turn surrendered. Perhaps one of the worst tactics assumed by US troops in Vietnam is the use of Napalm and Agent Orange. Napalm is an orange explosive gel dropped on the enemy positions from the air, which burns out the jungle and revels the enemy's position.

Agent Orange is a herbicide dumped on Vietnamese villages to disable the Vietcong and also to destroy the crops so they had no food. If the body comes into contact with Agent Orange, the effects are severe. It brings on rashes nausea and sometimes numbness of feet, hands and limbs. Some soldiers that returned from Vietnam also came into contact with Agent Orange, much the same as Vietnamese villages and all have complained of lasting effects and even deformed children. Even after 30 years, some troops are still experiencing the effects. The use of these explosives and chemicals was only one of the many costs to the Australian troops and public at the time of the war.

The men who were 'fortunate' enough to return from Vietnam returned with severe mental scars that will be with them for life. Many veterans still see there comrades being shot next to them or still get rashes from the Agent Orange and for the worst of them; some are even chilled by the sound of a helicopter of small explosion. The returning troops were not given the heroes welcome that they expected when they returned home from years of bloody battle. Instead they were booed and jeered. Some people who blamed the troops for the events of the Vietnam War also spat on these men. It was not only the men that felt the effects of the Vietnam War, but also our already struggling economy.

The Vietnam was cost Australia $2 million a year. Considering the 10-year duration of the war, that is $20 million that could have been spent on schools or hospitals. Instead the nation was left to suffer and the money was spent on a pointless war. The social response that was given to the war divided our nation with most initially supporting the war but still a lot opposing. Those opposing held demonstrations and anti war rallies around the nation.

The number opposing the war continued to grow and grow as the weeks turned into months and the months into years. As the public began to see what it was really like in Vietnam, their opinions began to change. Another reason for increasing opposition could be because those men facing conscription were now older enough to voice their opinions and most importantly were old enough to vote for their own future and the future of Australia. One of the biggest results of the Vietnam War could be the change of political government. Robert Menzies had lead the Liberal Country Part to victory over Ben Chifley's Labor government in 1949 and had stayed in power up until his retirement in 1966. The liberal government was now to be led by Harold Holt and in 1966 liberal was voted into power once more.

When Holt disappeared John Gorton took over. Before the 1968 election, Gorton's leadership was challenged by Billy McMahon who successfully took control of the liberal party and won the election in 1968. That is a span of 23 years that the liberal party was in control of the Australian government. However the Vietnam was changed the view of the Australian people. In 1972 under control of Gough Whitlam the labor part pledged for an end to the Australian involvement in Vietnam and an end to conscription. Due to the changing opinion of the people in relation to the war, the labor government won control in 1972, this same year; Australia's was commitment in Vietnam ended.

Many protests were occurring during the time of the Vietnam, in the beginning these were peaceful, small and well organised. They were setup by pre-established anti-war movements. Most Australians had different views on what should be going on in Vietnam. Some leaders of the church publicly supported the war, whilst others publicly opposed it. The trade unions were much the same with some supporting and some opposing. To avoid a public split, the Australian council of trade unions passed a resolution in 1965 expressing deep concern, rather than agreeing with 'left wing' industrial actions and strikes against the decisions to send troops into Vietnam.

From 1966 onwards, these protests became more widespread and radical. Future conscripts publicly burnt their draft cards and clashed with police. During president Johnson's visit to Australia on the 21st of October 1966, many protesters came out to ask questions. While Johnson was saying, 'I am all the way with Australia' protesters were asking 'LBJ, how many kids have you killed today?' Some even took to throwing paint bombs at Johnson's car and bodyguards.

Some even preferred to go to gaol rather than to support Johnson and be conscripted. The main reason for the demonstrations and rallies was because many Austrian citizens believed that Australia was involved in a war that had nothing to do with them and that it was pointless. Australia followed the USA into Vietnam was now following them when it came to the matter of demonstrations. Whilst the USA was setting up demonstrations between 1966 and 1969, so was the Australian public.

The protests came larger as people around the world became more aware of what the troops in Vietnam were facing. Most protests in Australia, excusing those such as the ones on the 4th of July 1968 where students smashed the windows at the US consulate in Melbourne, most remained peaceful and well organized. However it was becoming apparent that the view of the public was changing quickly. The opinion polls in August of 1969 showed that over a short period of only 4 months, the number of people opposing the war increased by 15% from 40% to 55%. At the time of the Vietnam moratoriums was when the amount of protests peaked at its highest level of the war. In 1970 and 1971, these protests were held around the country and hundreds of thousands of people turned out in each capital city.

During the time of the Vietnam conflict, many protest groups were also formed. 'The New Left' is one example of these groups; this group was made up of young 'radicals. ' This group was a worldwide movement of students and intellectuals. Even though they were small, they set up a lot of protests and rallies. Unlike the new left, the other groups setup were organised and most of all peaceful. Movements such as the Youth Campaign Against Conscription gathered their support from university campuses and from the streets.

This group distributed leaflets and demonstrated outside the US consulates. Active branches of the YCAC were setup in each state following an advertisement was published asking for new members to which a flood of men responded. This was published on the 19th of June 1965. Along with the YCAC worked the Save our Sons movement. SOS was formed by a group of Sydney mothers who band together to oppose the sending of conscripts to their deaths.

This movement rapidly spread to other sates and was to be found now in Melbourne, Newcastle, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. SOS worked with YCAC in handing out leaflets blaming the government for sending their sons and mates to their near certain death. These SOS group laid wreaths on memorials for conscripts and attended court trials of en being prosecuted for opposing conscription. SOS held protests outside commonwealth offices and army depots. They also took a very active role in the moratoriums of 1971 and 1972.

Another result of the Vietnam War was the influx of refugees from war torn Vietnam. After all wars, there are always large numbers of homeless refugees. Australia has always been seen as a good place to house such refugees, due to it's size. Socially there has been much unrest in the Australian public to this. The Australian public have seen Asian migrants and refugees as a threat to their jobs, as they work harder for less pay. Post-Vietnam War was no exception, with 70000 Indo-Chinese refugees arriving in Australia since the late 1970's.

Politically the acceptance of wartime refugees into Australia, has put the Australian government in a good image with other countries, this acceptance of refugees and migrants has strengthened Australia's trade ties with other countries introducing large amounts of Capital Revenue. The refugees who fled to our shores after the war, would now have naturalized Australian citizen children. The view of the Australian public began to radically change over the ten-year period of the Vietnam War. Socially the people's view began to change and this resulted in a political reform. May people believed that the Australian involvement in the Vietnam War was pointless and that the 496 lives that were taken should not have been and that those people that died should still be here today. The Vietnam experience caused a split across the country with many people being divided, especially when it came to the sending of conscripts into battle.

The Vietnam War was a long drawn out process that had no real direction and lacked this sense of direction for its entire duration. When people reflect back onto the Vietnam War, they begin to question the support that was given to the US government and they ask themselves, 'Was Australia's involvement really necessary?' The protests of the time show that some people were ahead with this thinking and could see what the government could not, that Australia should never have gotten involved in the Vietnam War..