Australia in the Vietnam War Era summary

Communism only 1 political party state (government) ownership of all businesses and organisations the economy is strictly controlled by the government everyone is provided for equally by the government (the name of communism stems from this idea that community is protected)

Capitalism at least 2 political parties usually more government owns some organisations but most owned privately the government will provide some help but its up to the individual to provide for themselves

Background to communism the cold war was a contest between the democratic capitalist nations of the west, led by the united states, and the communist countries of the east, led by the soviet union this conflict did not result in an open war between united states and the soviet union instead they: - had a policy of trying to dominate certain parts of the world o used spies, economic pressure and propaganda against each other o steadily built up all types of weapons o threatened armed conflict o supported proxy wars western capitalist nations believed that the soviet union was trying to impose communism eastern communist nations believed that the capitalist west was out to destroy communism as a result, each side became very hostile to and suspicious of each other

The spread of communism between 1939 and 1945 soviet Russia had gained control of Latvia and Lithuania and Bessarabia In 1949 china became communist In June 1950 communist North Korea attacked non-communism South Korea. This led to the three year Korean war

As communism seemed to be spreading all over the world, there were fears that it might come 1 of 2 ways; from outside, Australia is seen as a future course and from within, communist parties and spies

Australias response to communism in Asia

The Korean War Korea was divided in two along the 38th parallel; the northern part occupied by Russians the southern part by Americans The united nations arranged for elections for Korea in 1947 This caused the establishment of the Republic of (south) Korea and The Democratic Peoples republic of Korea in the north On 25 June 1950 north Korean troops invaded the south in the belief that Americans were no longer interested in Korea The troops were soon in control of most the country The republic of south Korea sought the assistance of the united nations, resulting in soldiers from 15 nations including Australia Australian airmen were the first to provide armed support to the American troops They arrived in Korea on 2 July 1950 to begin the defence against the communist north Australian involvement in Korea included: a naval force, a squadron of the RAAF two army battalions Prime minister Menzies faced little opposition to the involvement of Australians, most believed it was necessary The Australian troops were convinced the fight in Korea was related to the safety of Australia United nation forces under the command of American General Douglas MacArthur launched a massive counterattack against the communists in September 1950 and soon captured the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Chinese communist troops forced the us 8th cavalry Regiment to retreat to the Chong chon river American, Australian and other UN troops were being pushed south By April, both sides faced each other along the 38th parallel UN attempted peace negotiations, the communist backed north and the US backed south fought in a war which neither side could win On July 27 1953 a truce was signed that left the country exactly where it had started divided along the 38th parallel The war had cost 359 Australian lives and 1068 were wounded in action

The ANZUS treaty While the Korean war was being fought, Australia, New Zealand and the united states signed the ANZUS treaty in 1951

 SEATO

The treaty resulted from fear of communist expansion and Australias desire to have America as a strong and powerful ally America saw it as an opportunity to have two or more countries publically take its side in the cold war Under the terms of the treaty, the partners declared their sense of unity and support of each other if faced by an armed attack The actual terms of the treaty were very vague and did not force partners to go to war to defend each other ANZUS stands for Australia, New Zealand and United States

There were fears that countries in south-east Asia, with their large poverty-stricken populations, would rise up and be supported by China to become communist Menzies also saw the need for a treaty that would provide Australia with security and a defence against communist expansion in south east Asia In august 1954 he announced that his government would be willing to be part of an agreement which, unlike the ANZUS treaty, included a promise of providing military support to fight communism (such a treaty would need to include USA) SEATO (south east Asia treaty organisation) had 11 member nations; Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, south Korea, south Vietnam, Thailand, great Britain and USA The final treaty came into force in February 1955 Troops were sent to Malaya to assist efforts against communist guerrilla campaigns

Response to the threat of communism in Australia

Robert Menzies was in government for 17 years Before Menzies was elected the chiffler labour government (1945-49) was in The Chifley government was popular because: o There had been large scale immigration o Projects had been started (snowy mountains scheme) o The Australian national uni had been set up o Social reforms such as increases in child endowment and pensions had been introduced But he started to become unpopular because: o He tried to nationalise banks (governments owns) looked like communism o Accused of being too soft on communists o People were wary of wartime restrictions still in place such as petrol rationing In 1944 Robert Menzies created the liberal party o Supported private enterprise and traditional values o Opposition to communism, said that labour party was communist o Promised to end wartime restrictions December 1949 liberal party won by a landslide

Robert Menzies wanted to ban the communist party and make sure anyone who was communist couldnt get a job If someone was declared communist it was up to them to prove that they are not GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT The liberal party introduced the communist party dissolution bill into parliament The high court ruled that the bill was unconstitutional Menzies decided to do a referendum but did not receive a majority of votes so it did not pass

Petrov affair In the middle of the cold war Petrov was a Russian officer at the Russian embassy Wanted to defect (swap sides) and become an Australian His wife is seized by Russians and they try to take her back via plane Australians get her off Both granted political asylum (safety) Robert Menzies uses this issue to say he is very anti communist and will stand up to the communists and look after us Menzies: anti-communist (liberal) Petrov: communist (turned anti-communist) This allowed Menzies to comfortably win the 1954 election, which he was expected to lose Allowed him to show the public he was a tough anti-communist His opponents, the ALP (Australian labour party) split apart

Australias involvement in the Vietnam War

Domino theory if one country falls into communism the rest will follow (American idea) Forward defence/containment fight communism over there before it gets here ANZUS, SEATO treaties, really wanted to keep America as an ally Australia asked to be invited Thought it was a war against communism

Differing views of involvement

Supporters of the war Conservative elements such as churches, big businesses and mass media The RSL (returned servicemen league) organisation of ex-soldiers, sailors were in favour Older Australians; believed young people should do their duty People who strongly believed in the ANZAC spirit

Critics of the war Many people thought it was none of Australians business, Whats it got to do with us?

From 1968 onwards it was apparent we were losing the war, it was thought our men were getting killed for nothing The war could be watched on TV and people saw it as immoral; we were supposed to be the good guys but were bombing villages, napalming innocent people, shooting bound suspects in the middle of the street In Australia opposition to the Vietnam war was closely bound to conscription

The anti-war movement Save our sons movement (SOS) was a group of Sydney mothers joining together to voice their opposition of conscription The anti-war movement in Australia went through 3 broad stages: o Early peaceful and ineffectual protest o A short lived militant and more violent phase o The nationwide, decentralised moratorium movement

Impact of the war on veterans

Physical 7% higher death rate Increase in death from o Cancer o Heart disease o Suicides Agent orange used to kill off forests so no one could hide in there Problems agent orange caused: o Cancers (soft tissue, blood) o Birth defects o Blisters, itching o Blurred vision o Tumours o Nervous system disorders No one realised until too late Battle wounds o Bullets o Grenades, mines (explosives)

Psychological Affects family and friends Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) o Nightmares o Flashbacks o Withdrawn o Paranoia

o o o o

Lack of emotion Depression Alienation Phobias

Why Vietnam veterans were so badly affected Age Length of war Neither side won Didnt want to be there Shunned, blamed for the war by their country