People Power How did various groups respond to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War

Support for the War Supporters Older Australians RSL Liberal/ Country Party voters Catholic Church DLP Initially Business And Media

Reasons for Support Until the late 1960’s, the majority of Australians supported sending troops to the war. Most Australians knew little about the background of the country or the Geneva Accord. They accepted the arguments thatUntil the late 1960’s, the majority of Australians supported sending troops to the war. Most Australians knew little about the background of the country or the Geneva Accord. They accepted the arguments that Sth and Nth Vietnam were separate countriesSth and Nth Vietnam were separate countries Sth Vietnam had asked for help against Communist aggressionSth Vietnam had asked for help against Communist aggression Other countries would fall under the dominoe theoryOther countries would fall under the dominoe theory

Opposition to the War Protestors Younger People Youth Campaign Against Conscription Labour Party Anti Conscription Movement Bill White Draft Resistance Union Moratorium Movement SAVE OUR SONS Increasing Criticism By Media University Students Singer/ songwriters Trade Unions

Opposition to the war Those who protested against the war believed that it was a civil war, not part of any larger communist conspiracy.Those who protested against the war believed that it was a civil war, not part of any larger communist conspiracy. Most Sth Vietnamese supported the NLF and wanted to see the country unifiedMost Sth Vietnamese supported the NLF and wanted to see the country unified Sth Vietnamese government was not democratic and was led by a series of corrupt dictatorsSth Vietnamese government was not democratic and was led by a series of corrupt dictators The USA was an imperialist power committing aggression against a small Third World countryThe USA was an imperialist power committing aggression against a small Third World country Australia had prostrated itself as a servant of US ImperialismAustralia had prostrated itself as a servant of US Imperialism The tactics and weapons used by the USA and its allies were inflicting unjustifiable suffering on the civilian populationThe tactics and weapons used by the USA and its allies were inflicting unjustifiable suffering on the civilian population Conscription of our youth was not justified given no direct threat to AustraliaConscription of our youth was not justified given no direct threat to Australia

The National Serves Act allowed for exemption by conscientious objectors

I’m Fixin To Die Rag County Joe and the Fish “And its 1 2 3, what are we fighting for Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn Next stop is Vietnam And its , open up them pearly gates There ain’t no time to wonder why Whoopee We’re all gonna die”