This is the second post promised analysing why australia entered the vietnam war. Australia s involvement in the vietnam war began with a small commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962, and increased over the following decade to a peak of 7,672 australian personnel following the menzies government s april 1965 decision to upgrade its military commitment to south vietnam s security. Vietnam war australias involvement by rebecca freeman. In april of 1975 south vietnam surrendered to north vietnam. Australia became deeply involved in the vietnam war in 1965. Only the whitlam government chafed at the alliance, and then but in part. Australias involvement in the vietnam war was driven largely by the rise of communism in southeast asia after the second world war, and the fear of its spread which developed in australia during the 1950s and early 1960s.
Australias involvement in the vietnam war started in 196275. The vietnam war was australias longest and most controversial military. Some of the reasons for australias involvement in the vietnam war were mostly to do with the fear of communism and using the forward defence strategy to prevent the domino theory from happening. Jul 28, 2014 australia s military involvement in the vietnam war was the longest in duration of any war in australia s history. Since war is often a point of contention, the perspective. Australias involvement in the vietnam war by taylor, aleisha and alec. The australian government committed troops to the vietnam war in 1965. Provides resources on australia s involvement in the korean war. The vietnam war, and australias part in it, was a major military event, calling for willingness to face death and destruction on the battlefield on the part of those sent there, especially the men of our infantry battalions who formed the spearhead of our forces in vietnam. The reasons as to why australia became involved i n the vietnam war have been traditionally painted in the colours of collective security and as part of the anti communist crusade to contain a world wide communist threat. On 29 april, prime minister robert menzies announced to parliament that australia would send combat troops to south vietnam. The australian government and involvement in the vietnam war peter edwards when i say to an american that i am working on a major history of australia s involvement in the post1945 southeast asian conflicts. Australia s involvement in the vietnam war 888 words 4 pages.
Australias involvement in the vietnam war opposition to. One of dvas key roles is acknowledging and commemorating the service and sacrifice of all those who served australia and its allies in wars, conflicts and peace operations through commemorations, memorials, war graves and research. Johnson, and confirms the australian s government full support for the united states vietnam policy, and adopts the slogan with a speech all the way with lbj. Starting in 1962, australia sent some 60,000 of its military personnel onto the battlefields of vietnam. At each stage of involvement in the war, australias military commitment to vietnam shadowed that of the united states. The anzus treaty, between australia, new zealand and america, was when the three countries pledged their support for aid in and decided to cooperate in defensive matters, and the seato treaty was signed by australia, america, new zealand, britain, france, the philippines, thailand and pakistan, which bound all members to come to the aid of another country if external aggression was evident. Aug 04, 2017 the official death toll was 521, the thirdlargest of any conflict australia had joined, but far smaller than those of the two world wars. Anti vietnam war activism in australia, by jeffrey grey 55 4. The arrival of the australian army training team vietnam aattv in south vietnam during july and august 1962 was the beginning of australias involv ement in the vietnam war. Their arrival in south vietnam in july 1962 was the beginning of australias involvement in the vietnam war. It was part of a larger regional conflict as well as a manifestation of the cold war.
There were many key reasons for australias involvement in the vietnam war. The vietnam war was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of north vietnam against south vietnam and its principal ally, the united states. Australias involvement in the vietnam war the conscientious objectors of the war were the protestors of the moratorium movement because they protested against the violence of the vietnam war. Communism is where by the government controls the nation. Sep 02, 2012 australias involvement in the vietnam war by taylor, aleisha and alec. Australias involvement in the vietnam war timeline. Differing views of australias involvement in the vietnam war. The australian decision to become involved, and to extend that involvement, was influenced by four major factors.
Australias involvement in the vietnam war began with a small commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962, and increased over the following decade to a peak of. History of australias involvement in southeast asian conflicts 19481975. Australian army training team vietnam australia s initial commitment to supporting the american stance in vietnam consisted of. Few outside australia and new zealand today even realize that australian troops fought in the vietnam war in the 1960s. What were the reasons for australias involvement in the. Vietnam war as it shows the anzac spirit and because you believe i should do what you and other australians did for australia in world war ii. Australias military involvement in the vietnam war was the longest in duration of any war in australias history. Australias military involvement in the vietnam war brian ross. Australias involvement in the vietnam war, the political dimension. Jul 02, 2019 australian soldiers hold a ceremony to honour a fallen colleague, 1965. Australia s involvement in the vietnam war newspaper of april 29, 1965. The vietnam war was the longest and most controversial war australia has ever fought. Ask students to create a timeline that highlights australias involvement in war over the last 100 years. Why did australia become involved in the vietnam war essay.
General official histories are a detailed chronological record of all services and all theatres of conflict. The australian government and involvement in the vietnam war peter edwards when i say to an american that i am working on a major history of australia s involvement in the. Location of vietnam in 1962 australia sent thirty military advisors to south vietnam, however, by 1964 menzies believed that the communists were on the verge of taking over so planned to increase. The australian forces barely rate a mention in the standard works. This resource includes 3 separate primary sources from eyewitnesses to events in the topic australian involvement in the vietnam war and activities based on the source including who wrote the source, what we know about the writer, how their presence at the historical incidents impacts their writing, whether the information is reliable and the purpose of the writing. While the second will deal primarily with the political decisions to become involved in the. Australias vie tnam war the history of the australian american relationship is a long and uneven one, and something of its course needs to be understood if we are to appreciate the context in which australia went to war alongside the united states in vietnam in the 1960s. For many reasons, the australian public know relatively little about what our army did in vietnam. Adapted from tony briggs play inspired by his mothers experience as an entertainer in war torn vietnam, the sapphires tells the story of four women from an aboriginal mission community who achieve success entertaining american troops. Military history of australia during the vietnam war. On 19th february 1942, soon after the attack on pearl harbour, australia became directly involved in the war.
So australia to go to war, in my opinion, was the right thing to do. Australias involvement in the vietnam war essay 978 words. What was the impact of the war on australia and or neighbouring countries. Australias involvement in vietnam was driven by a fear of communist expansion in asia and the governments desire to align itself with the united states. The labour government was elected in december 1972 by the australian public to stop the conflict and issue of conscription in the vietnam war. Nov 03, 2019 we made our token contribution as part of our eternal, routine suckup to big brother, nothing more, but like big brother himself, eventually found the game was not worth the candle. The initial cause that caused the vietnam war was the intention to overthrow the south vietnamese government that was led by the communist guerrillas viet cong and the national liberation front, which had the support of north vietnam which ended in a war between the two countries. Although australia had been fighting in many wars before it decided to send its military to vietnam in 1962. I am though a conscientious objector and refuse to go to the vietnam war no matter what the situation i am put in.
The growing web of communism saw the fall of many countries closing in on australia and new zealand, and it was believed robert menzies government that they would find communism at. The first is obvious surprise that australia was involved in vietnam. The vietnam war an australian perspective compiled from records and historical articles by r freshfield introduction what is referred to as the vietnam war began for the us in the early 1950s when it deployed military advisors to support south vietnam forces. Following the end of the second world war the french had sought to reassert control over french indochina, which had been occupied by japan. By april 1965 there were 100 members of the australian army training team vietnam in.
This video is in the eyes of a fictional character named steven scott blake as it says on the conscription letter and tells of his experiences during the vietnam war. The fall of saigon the paris agreement of 27 january 1973 intended to bring peace with honour to south vietnam. Since 1962 australias involvement was a small number of australian army training team. In the 1960s communism was spreading to the biggest nations in the world now what is communism. On april 29 th 1965, the australian menzies government announced it would be sending an australian battalion to vietnam alongside us troops.
Military history of australia during the vietnam war wikipedia. Australias involvement in the vietnam war, the political. Australias involvement in the vietnam war vietnam war. When americans refer to vietnam, they generally mean the united states in vietnam. There were two important reasons for australias involvement in the vietnam war. A surge in vietnamese immigration to australia after the vietnam war was the first test for multiculturalism after the white australia policy ended. The vietnamese refugees who changed white australia sbs news. The vietnam war is also known as the second indochina war. American readers should be warned that because it looks primarily at the.
This is a list of wars involving the commonwealth of australia. It lasted ten year from 1962 to 1972 and involved some 60,000 personnel. Obligations to allies fear of communism in the period following wwii there was a growing fear within australia. Australia s involvement in the vietnam war began as a small commitment of 30 men in 1962, and increased over the following decade to a peak of 7,672 australians deployed in south vietnam or in support of australian forces there. If south vietnam were to fall to communism, and as the domino effect theory suggested would happen other asian countries like thailand, myanmar and malaya were to follow. The real political impetus for australias participation came fr. Australia had quite a large involvement in the vietnam war and it is still considered an important part of our history, as it is the longest australia has been involved in any war. Australias role in the vietnam war australia and war. Australias involvement in the vietnam war 196272 youtube. Covers the major developments of the war, the war in the air and at sea, the role of australian nurses and has special features such as animated maps of the key battles of the war the battle of kapyong and the battle of han river. The vietnam war which went from 1965 to 1975 involved america and its allies, including australia, aiming to prevent south vietnam from an invasion by the communist north vietnaese. Australias involvement in the vietnam war by a l on prezi. Australias involvement in the vietnam war was a result of a combined fear of communism and the fall of freedom from danger in australian democracy and society. Get an answer for explain why australia became involved in the vietnam war.
A ceasefire commenced and all foreign troops were withdrawn. May 24, 2012 the arrival of the australian army training team vietnam aattv in south vietnam during july and august 1962 was the beginning of australia s involvement in the vietnam war. Aug 21, 20 this video is in the eyes of a fictional character named steven scott blake as it says on the conscription letter and tells of his experiences during the vietnam war. We made our token contribution as part of our eternal, routine suckup to big brother, nothing more, but like big brother himself, eventually found the game was not worth the candle. And at that time, australia government believed that australia has a commitment to. Attitudes to the vietnam war shrine of remembrance. Why did australia become involved in the vietnam war. The conflict in vietnam was the longest war in australias history.
A select chronology of australian involvement in the vietnam war 159. It is a comprehensive and wellbalanced account of the war and australia s involvement. In what way did life on the home front change in response to australian involvement in world war 2 world war two began when germany invaded poland in 1939, bringing great britain under threat and resulting in our troops going to war. In august 1964 the royal australian air force raaf also sent a flight of caribou transports to the port town of vung tau.
Australias involvement in vietnam was a gradual process of commitment. Web site of the vietnam veterans association of australia, including information about australia s involvement in the vietnam war, as well as a range of current issues relating to australian vietnam veterans. The prime minister harold holt travels to the united states to discuss the war with the us president lyndon b. The first was an anticommunist and prodemocracy ideology. Why did australia get involved in the vietnam war free essays. Australia s participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the governorgeneral issued a.
A well researched, well written book that examines every aspect of the war and the global political environment that existed at that time. Dates indicate the years in which australia was involved in the war. Soon the country became officially unified as the socialist republic of vietnam. Australias involvement in the vietnam war sample essays. The official death toll was 521, the thirdlargest of any conflict australia had joined, but far smaller than those of the two world wars. Jun 05, 2014 australia s involvement in the vietnam war. Australian soldiers hold a ceremony to honour a fallen colleague, 1965. Pact, reinforced 195577 by the southeast asia treaty organization seato. Australias participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the governorgeneral issued a proclamation on 11 january 1973. Australia s participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the governorgeneral issued a proclamation on 11 january 1973. American readers should be warned that because it looks primarily at the domestic political scene in australia at the time, it does as a consequence refer to characters and e vents which most of you will not be aware of. In 1961 and 1962 ngo dinh diem, south vietnams leader, repeatedly requested security assistance. The australian army and the vietnam war, by ian mcneill, with an addendum by jeffrey grey 16 3. Australia followed the united states lead in such crises as the korean 195053 and vietnam 195575 wars and, a generation later, the persian gulf war 199091.
Then australian prime minister john howard did this in 2001 as a response to the september 11 terrorist attacks in new york and washington, leading to australias involvement in the united states led war on terror. Reasons for australias changing attitude towards the. Vietnam war 195475, conflict that pitted the communist government of north vietnam and its allies in south vietnam, the viet cong, against south vietnam and its principal ally, the united states. Australia s involvement in vietnam was driven by a fear of communist expansion in asia and a desire to align with the united states. If you want to understand australia s part in the vietnam war, this book is the best place to start. Australias last combat troops had left on 18 december 72, and only a small embassy guard platoon. Obligations to allies fear of communism in the period following wwii there was a growing fear within australia of communism. Some reflections on the australian government s commitment to the vietnam war, by peter edwards 3 2. The vietnam war era chapter 6 how did the australian government respond to the threat of communism after world war ii. Australias commitment to other usled causes such as the vietnam war, while not formalised under anzus, have been linked. In the early 1960s, under the threat from a growing communist insurgency, south vietnamese government repeatedly sought security assistance from the u. Representation and reinterpretations of australias war in vietnam this issue presents a series of essays pertaining to australias involvement in the vietnam war.
The arrival of the australian army training team vietnam aattv in south vietnam during july and august 1962 was the beginning of australias involvement in the vietnam war. As part of its preparations for sending troops to the war, the menzies government had earlier announced in november 1964 a. Australias involvement in the vietnam war focus questions. A few months later in march the final us troops were removed from vietnam. How did various groups respond to australias involvement in the vietnam war. Vietnam australia s longest war a calendar of military and political events. Australias involvement in the vietnam war essay 976 words. The arrival of the australian army training team vietnam aattv in south vietnam during july and august 1962 was the beginning of australia s involvement in the vietnam war. Causes and consequences of the vietnam war main causes. Australian involvement australia became deeply involved in the vietnam war in 1965. Seato alliance the policy of containment is to stop the expansion of an enemy. Australian government and the involvement in the vietnam war.
This website, created by the australian department of veterans affairs, seeks to educate readers on australias role in the war. Vietnam war, suffice to say for the moment, that the australian. It has been written by the lead australian official historian, peter edwards, as a short history to summarise the more expansive nine volume official history of australia s involvement in southeast asian conflicts 19481975. Australia s involvement in the vietnam war was driven largely by the rise of communism in southeast asia after the second world war, and the fear of its spread which developed in australia during the 1950s and early 1960s. Vietnam remained australias longest war until afghanistan.
Communist north american involvement vietnam war australias involvement action. Australia s military involvement in the vietnam war was the longest in duration of any war in australia s history. Australias involv ement in the vietnam war 888 words 4 pages. Australias involvement in the vietnam war essay 978. Vietnam war australias involvement by rebecca freeman on prezi. The us had lost the vietnam war and also taken a major blow in the cold war. Australias involvement in the vietnam war 963 words. Australian operations in the vietnam war are chronicled in the official history of australias involvement in southeast asian conflicts 19481975. Explain why australia became involved in the vietnam war.