Vietnam War

Question 1

What did Australian soldiers do?

Answer 1

Australian soldiers role was to be allied to the US and therefore served in the army, navy and airforce

Question 2

Nature of Australia’s Involvement

Answer 2

Australian’s fought alongside South Vietnamese Government troops against the Vietcong, a communist led insurgent force supported by the North Vietnamese Army. Australia joined the war due to their desire to strengthen strategic relations with the US and to halt the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

Question 3

Backlash in Australia

Answer 3

Many Australian’s did not like the involvement in the war as many civilian deaths and damage to towns and cities was broadcasted on National TV causing protests in the streets for the war to end

Question 4

National Service Act 1964

Answer 4

Due to the lack of military going to the war, National Service (a form of conscription was introduced). The National Service Act was designed to create 40 000 full time soldiers. The selection of National Service was through a lottery draw of birthdays and conscripts were obligated to give two years of continuous full-time service, followed by a further three years on the active reserve list. If they did not go without reason (injury, court case) they would be placed in jail for two years. The full-time service requirement was reduced to 18 months in October 1971. 521 Australian soldiers were killed during the Vietnam War and over 3000 were injured. Conscription did end before the end of war in 1972 due to a new government.