Definition

"A conscientious objector is a person whose beliefs, ideals and ethics are incompatible with military service, a role in the armed forces or participation in war."

A prime example of a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War was William White, a Sydney school teacher who defied a notice to report to an army induction centre, upon the basis that he felt he was being asked to "kill another fellow being". White became the first Australian to publicly stand as a conscientious objector of war and his decisions led to a standoff when authorities dragged White from his home after days of media coverage that brought embarrassment to the Australian Government.

Conscientious objector William White being dragged from his home in Sydney after being arrested, 1966

(Experience Of Nationhood)

During the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, men could refuse to apply for National Service if they successfully claimed "conscientious objector" status. This status would then had to be proved in a court of law where the individual had to present "deep-seated and compelling" reasons why he/she could not take an active role in the military forces. However, statistics show that the number of men would claimed to be conscientious objectors was smaller than previously thought. Over 800,000 young men applied for National Service between 1964 and 1972 and only 1242 were considered the status of "conscientious objector".

The Anti-War Movement

No previous war caused more social divisions within Australian than the events of the Vietnam War, with the reintroduction of conscription prompting much moral and social conflict. Australia's illfeeling towards the war was growing rapidly however Prime Minister John Gorton stood firm in Australia's commitment to the war effort.

Anti-movement demonstrations in the US capital, Washington DC

(Google Images)

On the other side of the world, strong anti-war movements took place in the United States as the people were wearied by the heavy burdens of the war and the high costs of living that it brought. A year after Holt's death in 1968, President Johnson, exhausted by the war, resigned his term in office and Richard Nixon replaced him later that year. Similarly in Australia, the growing resentment towards the war was led by the opposition Labor Party who saw this as an opportunity to gain political advantage. Another group was established by mothers called "Save Our Sons" (SOS), who campaigned against the conscription of young men. Universities became centres of public opposition, with numerous protests and rallies occurring along with public figures speaking out against the war. One highly controversial event occurred at Monash University when students raised money to support the National Liberation Front (Vietcong), leading to major conflict in and around the campus.

Protestor burning his registration form

(Experience of Nationhood)

As more and and more young men refused to apply for national service, many burnt their registration forms as an act of defiance towards the Gorton government. This in turn altered the National Service Act in May 1968, imposing a 2-year prison term for those who avoided conscription and active military service. A Draft Resistors Union was created in light of the government's conscription policy, to assist young men in avoiding National Service. In October 1969, John Zarb became the first Australian citizen to be imprisoned for a 2-year term for failing to register into National Service and subsequently many protests demanded he be freed in the "Free Zarb" campaign. 10 months later, Zarb was released from prison.

Demonstration in Sydney protesting against the conscription of young men (Draft Resistors Union)

In 1970, there were major anti-war activities that took place in two capital cities. The "Vietnam moratorium marches" were well-organised and peaceful demonstrations that attracted mass support from ordinary citizens. The first protest was in Melbourne in May 1970 when crowds of over 100,000 gathered in a major protest against the war. Dr Jim Cairns, a Labor politician and leader of the Vietnam moratorium marches commented on numbers of the day; "What is being done in Vietnam moratorium campaign is an example of government by the people, it is an example of people taking action about issues that are important to them...there is intense and widespread opposition to the death and destruction."