Vietnam
...that changed Australia as a nation forever. In March 1965 Australia sent a battalion of soldiers overseas, to support the Republic of Vietnam against the threat posed by insurgents, supported by the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam, more commonly known as North Vietnam. This marked Australia’s first major involvement in a war that was to span a decade, define a generation and change Australian society. The Vietnam War changed the social and political landscape of Australia. It was a war fought primarily against Communism, in support of America in its struggle and also to assert an Australian influence in South East Asia. With hindsight, Australia’s involvement was not in the best interests of the country or its citizens. It gave rise to social and political dissent on a scale unpr...