Sample learning activities

  • Using at least five pieces of audio, create a mind map or Lotus chart to show the reasons different people expressed for their opposition to Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and their opposition to conscription. 
  • Analyse a range of excerpts (be sure to have a cross-section of ages) using these prompts:
    • The year the speaker was born; 
    • How they felt about the National Service Act;
    • How they felt about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War;
    • What their attitude towards the USA was (if mentioned);
    • Their own political attitudes at the time (if mentioned);
    • Whether their opposition to the war and conscription seems to have been primarily political or personal in nature. Include evidence to support your claim. 
  • Use this analysis to write a short paragraph summarising what you think are the most prominent reasons for objecting to the Vietnam War, from this evidence; OR write a paragraph summarising the most prominent reasons for objecting to conscription.  
  • In small groups, list the political figures mentioned in these excerpts. For each, outline that figure’s position on the Vietnam War and/or conscription, and then also the attitude of these protesters towards each figure.

 

Sample assessment tasks 

  • Use these sources as part of an historical inquiry into how and why people protested against the Vietnam War. 
  • Use these sources as part of an evaluation of historical sources. Suggested short-answer questions include: 
    • Describe the reasons people give for being opposed to the Vietnam War;
    • Describe some connections between being opposed to the Vietnam War, and being opposed to conscription;
    • Explain some of the reasons people held for why Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was not appropriate;
    • Explain some of the reasons why people objected to the use of conscription in the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Use these sources as evidence in answering an extended response or essay. Suggested questions include:
    • Analyse changing attitudes in Australia towards the Vietnam War and the National Service Act