Political/Historical Timeline

  • Ben Chifley becomes Prime Minister & World War II ends

  • Labor Government attempts to nationalise banks & Large-scale European migration to Australia begins

  • Federal election victory for Menzies Liberal–Country Party Coalition

  • Korean War begins & Communist Party Dissolution Bill

  • ANZUS Pact signed & Communist Party Dissolution Referendum

  • Korean War ends

  • SEATO is formed & Petrov Affair & First Indochina War ends

  • Australian troops sent to Malaya, ALP splits

  • National Liberation Front is formed in Vietnam

  • Australia sends ‘military advisers’ to South Vietnam

  • Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia begins

  • National Service is reintroduced in Australia

  • Commitment of Australian troops to Vietnam War & Anti-war protests begin

  • Menzies retires & Holt becomes Prime Minister & Battle of Long Tan

  • Gorton becomes Prime Minister Tet Offensive in Vietnam

  • Nixon announces ‘Vietnamisation’ of Vietnam War

  • Vietnam Moratorium protest rallies begin & Australia begins troop withdrawals

  • Whitlam Labor Government is elected & All remaining Australian troops are withdrawn

  • End of the Vietnam War