Unit 4 Outcome 2 Attitudes to the Vietnam War – 1965 and ... - HTAV

Anti War and Pro Moratorium and Bring Troops Home
Pro War and Anti Moratorium
All Newspapers – The Age and the Sydney Morning
Herald and the Melbourne Herald switched their
stance post-Moratorium
Newspapers (Melbourne Herald, The Age,
Sydney Morning Herald) BEFORE the
Moratorium
Before the Moratorium, all the newspapers were prowar,
pro-US and pro-conscription. However, following
the resounding success of the Moratorium and
display of public opinion against the war, from 9 May
1970 onwards, they shifted their stances and became
anti-war, anti-conscription and pro-moratorium.
26 May – The Herald: “Many Australians share the
abhorrence that Cairns and his group feel for the
Vietnam War and resent the conscription required to
fill Australian ranks in a doubtful cause.”
Melbourne Herald referred to the moratorium
as “dangerous tactics” that “must be
repudiated.”
“To break the law because they dislike
something the Government has done after
being elected by a majority”
“Civil disorder and encourage[d]
breaking the law”
The Age, after the Moratorium, referred to the antiwar
movement as “a legitimate expression” of anger
about the government’s approach in Vietnam.
The Age, 9 May 1970: “The hysterical predictions of
violence from government leaders showed that they
did not understand the people they govern.”
“70,000 citizens took to Melbourne streets
yesterday, shouting ‘Peace’, ‘Stop the war’” The
Age
Editorial from the Australian Financial Review,
7 April 1970,
Support of National Service, yet asks for
“care” to be taken – “A national government
has to think with extra care about how it
commits a conscripted force at to what
national purpose.”