Australian attitudes toward war
Australia was involved in the Vietnam War from 1962-1972 with originally thirty army advisors being sent over to South Vietnam. Over this period of time Australian attitudes towards the Vietnam War changed greatly due to two main contributing reasons. These reasons were the media and television. When it was first announced in 1962 that australiu was going to fight in Vietnam it was said by most australians it was necessary and needed. Many Australians supported the war because of their fear of communists and the domino theory occurring in australia. However, as the war continued through years of arguing and fighting, people began to question if the fighting against communism was necessary and “worth it" Unlike WWI and WWII, the Vietnam War was filmed in colour, and was always on TV
through the media across the world. This exposed the truths of war to the citizens which included the devastating effects of Agent Orange and also the vast amounts of suffering, casualties and wounded officers. This brought the first change of perspective to society about the war and to the emerging doubt that Australia would be actually threatened by the communist influence. The major push began when, in 1964, the Menzies government announced the re-introduction of conscription. The public responded to this issue by organising group and protests; in some cases, people refused their conscription. One of the main influencing groups was the “Save our Sons” movement, which consisted of Sydney ‘mothers’ to voice their opposition to the forced slaughter of their sons in the Vietnam War. In July 1965, a Sydney school teacher, Bill White became the first draftee (person being conscripted for military services) to refuse his conscription.
through the media across the world. This exposed the truths of war to the citizens which included the devastating effects of Agent Orange and also the vast amounts of suffering, casualties and wounded officers. This brought the first change of perspective to society about the war and to the emerging doubt that Australia would be actually threatened by the communist influence. The major push began when, in 1964, the Menzies government announced the re-introduction of conscription. The public responded to this issue by organising group and protests; in some cases, people refused their conscription. One of the main influencing groups was the “Save our Sons” movement, which consisted of Sydney ‘mothers’ to voice their opposition to the forced slaughter of their sons in the Vietnam War. In July 1965, a Sydney school teacher, Bill White became the first draftee (person being conscripted for military services) to refuse his conscription.
Sources (Picture)
This picture above is an article from an old newspaper 'Witton Press Pty' expressing the public and the media's hate for 'conscription'