Overview of the Vietnam War
Task 1: KWL chart
Complete the 1st 2 columns of the KWL chart, stating what you already KNOW about the Vietnam War, and what do you WANT to know. At the end of the unit, we will fill in the what you've LEARNT column.
Task 2: Background and Overview of the Conflict
Complete the 1st 2 columns of the KWL chart, stating what you already KNOW about the Vietnam War, and what do you WANT to know. At the end of the unit, we will fill in the what you've LEARNT column.
Task 2: Background and Overview of the Conflict
- Using the Background of The Vietnam War and Australia Enters webpages, create a DETAILED timeline to examine how the conflict in Vietnam unfolded.
- Your timeline should include a MINIMUM of 10 facts/events.
- Use an online tool to create your timeline, such as
- Dipity
- World Book Timeline Creator
- Soft Schools (simple generator)
The Key Players
Task 1: Who were the key players involved?
Task 2: MU dictionary
Task 3: Primary source analysis
This activity has been adapted from one originally published by Sally Mangan on the Department of Veteran's Affairs website
“History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books—books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, ‘What is history, but a fable agreed upon?’”
—Dan Brown
Source analysis is an integral part of understanding history. All sources, whether produced during this period of time a particular act was occurring, or hence thereafter, is produced with some sort of bias by the author – social, economic, religious, gendered, etc. In order to be able to understand the reliability of the source, and the usefulness in constructing an argument, one needs to develop a critical eye.
On this web page created by PBS in America are various sources related to the Vietnam War. As a group, read through these sources and ask yourself the following questions in order to understand the purpose of the source, as well as its reliability and usefulness.
Goal review:
- Using the provided graphic organiser, write 2-3 points for each of the following groups/nations involved in the Vietnam War and explain what their involvement was.
- The groups/nations are: France; North Vietnam; South Vietnam; USSR; USA; Australia
- Source to use: History Alive 10 pg 94
Task 2: MU dictionary
- Add the following term to your MU dictionary: Guerilla warfare (use the glossary definition from History Alive 10 pg 95 to help you)
Task 3: Primary source analysis
This activity has been adapted from one originally published by Sally Mangan on the Department of Veteran's Affairs website
“History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books—books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, ‘What is history, but a fable agreed upon?’”
—Dan Brown
Source analysis is an integral part of understanding history. All sources, whether produced during this period of time a particular act was occurring, or hence thereafter, is produced with some sort of bias by the author – social, economic, religious, gendered, etc. In order to be able to understand the reliability of the source, and the usefulness in constructing an argument, one needs to develop a critical eye.
On this web page created by PBS in America are various sources related to the Vietnam War. As a group, read through these sources and ask yourself the following questions in order to understand the purpose of the source, as well as its reliability and usefulness.
- What significant events or political environment does this source make reference to?
- Who created the source? For what reason? Who is the intended audience?
- What is the purpose of the source?
- Considering your knowledge of the topic, is there a bias to this source? Does the author try to promote their own interests for a particular reason? If so, why?
- Is this source useful to historians? If so, how can it be used… and if not, why not?
Goal review:
- Provide an explanation for HOW each concept you identified was addressed.
Australia's Involvement
Task 1: Overview of the Australian Experience
In Clickview, watch "The Australian experience : A Black & White War? Australian Involvement in the Vietnam War"
As you are watching take notes on the following:
Task 2: The Battle of Long Tan
After viewing this and compiling your notes, conduct further independent research to find out about the Battle of Long Tan - a significant event in the Vietnam War. Gather various facts about this battle, and present your findings in a format of your own choosing. Whatever sources you use, add those to your work following proper bibliographic conventions.
Task 3: "I Was Only 19"
This activity has been adapted from one originally published by Sally Mangan on the Department of Veteran's Affairs website
In Clickview, watch "The Australian experience : A Black & White War? Australian Involvement in the Vietnam War"
As you are watching take notes on the following:
- Why did Australia become involved in the 1st place?
- What sort of involvement did Australian troops have? What did they do over there?
- How many Australian soldiers went there?
- What significant battles or events were Australian troops involved in?
- How did Australian involvement change over time?
- Any other significant facts
Task 2: The Battle of Long Tan
After viewing this and compiling your notes, conduct further independent research to find out about the Battle of Long Tan - a significant event in the Vietnam War. Gather various facts about this battle, and present your findings in a format of your own choosing. Whatever sources you use, add those to your work following proper bibliographic conventions.
Task 3: "I Was Only 19"
This activity has been adapted from one originally published by Sally Mangan on the Department of Veteran's Affairs website
- The song, “I was only 19” by Australian band Redgum was produced in 1983 and outlines a first-person account of the experience of a “typical” member of the Australian infantry that served in the Vietnam War.
- Using the song as a source of inspiration, you are asked to produce a creative piece that reflects the key sentiments outlined in the lyrics.
- Also use this glossary to help you understand some of the words in the lyrics
|
|
The way you choose to produce your interpretation of the lyrics can be as follows:
• a letter or diary entry
• a piece of art with written justification
• a MovieMaker or PhotoStory project with voice recording
Watch this Oral History from ACMI about the ongoing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on returned soldiers
• a letter or diary entry
• a piece of art with written justification
• a MovieMaker or PhotoStory project with voice recording
Watch this Oral History from ACMI about the ongoing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on returned soldiers
Local experiences of the war
Whilst the war had a significant impact on Australians, it is essential in our studies of this conflict to examine the experiences of and impacts on the local Vietnamese people.
Task 1: MU dictionary
Task 2: Iconic photos of the Vietnam War
With the advent of media technology, war photography became ever more-prevalent during the Vietnam War.
Task 1: MU dictionary
- Add the term Napalm to your dictionary (see pg 95 of History Alive 10 for a definition)
Task 2: Iconic photos of the Vietnam War
With the advent of media technology, war photography became ever more-prevalent during the Vietnam War.
- We are going to examine two iconic images to gain an insight into how the war affected Vietnamese people: Napalm Girl and Saigon Execution
- To begin, view each photograph, and consider what your initial reaction is to each one.
Afterwards, watch these two videos to gain further insight into the background of these photos.
Video 1: Napalm girl
Video 1: Napalm girl
Video 2: Saigon Execution
Now you have further insight into each photograph, complete the questions on the Newseum Photo Ethics worksheet (scroll to the last page of the PDF for the questions).
Task 3: The My Lai Massacre
Using the sources listed below, answer these questions about the My Lai massacre:
Sources:
Task 3: The My Lai Massacre
Using the sources listed below, answer these questions about the My Lai massacre:
- What was the My Lai massacre?
- How do you explain what happened at My Lai?
- What does My Lai teach us about the nature of evil?
- Was Calley evil, or was he a more-or-less “normal person in abnormal circumstances”?
- Which was worse—the massacre or the cover-up? Give your reasons why.
- What is the lasting significance of My Lai? Did it substantially change public attitudes toward the Vietnam War?
Sources:
- PBS Vietnam Online My Lai section
- History Channel My Lai Massacre
- Digital History - The My Lai Massacre
- Digital History - teacher resources on the massacre - download the PhotoStory by Michael Ray
The War may be over, but the consequences didn't stop
Read pg 248 of History Alive 10 and this BBC Bitesize page to get an overview of how the War in Vietnam ended.
The Ongoing Effects:
Agent Orange - sources to use:
Vietnamese refugees - sources to use:
The Ongoing Effects:
- Working in groups of 3-4, you are going to research and present on a particular ongoing effect of the War on Vietnamese people, even after the war's conclusion.
- You will have 2 lessons to conduct your research an put together your information
- In the 3rd lesson you will undergo reciprocal teaching: you will present your work to a group covering the other topic, and they will do the same. You will peer assess each other.
- In your group you will have to decide on your research questions, allocate roles and tasks within the group, and decide on your presentation format.
- Your group will also have to compile a proper bibliography referencing all sources used.
Agent Orange - sources to use:
- This YouTube clip (downloaded and available in teacher assignment folder)
- Humanities Alive 4 pg 113
- US Department of Veterans Affairs page on Agent Orange
- Australian Department of Veterans Affairs - Agent Orange and the aftermath of the War
- News.com.au article on the children of agent orange (warning that this article has some horrific images)
- New York Times article and video
Vietnamese refugees - sources to use:
- History Alive 10 pgs 248-50
- Cuc Lam's suitcase (watch the video)
- Operation Frequent Wind History Channel video
- The History Learning Site page on Vietnamese refugees
- Racism No Way fact sheet
- National Museum of Australia page on Vietnamese refugees
- Museum Victoria history of migration from Vietnam
effects_of_vietnam_war_rubric.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Library Pathfinder
In the file below is a list of resources compiled on the Vietnam War. You can access these resources for your own research purposes, and many of them will be used in class.
vietnam_war_pathfinder.docx | |
File Size: | 184 kb |
File Type: | docx |