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  3. American President Lyndon B Johnson on official visit to Australia

American President Lyndon B Johnson on official visit to Australia

American President Lyndon B Johnson on official visit to Australia.

Details

Learning resource record

Creator:

W Pedersen

Date:

1966

Citation:

A1200, L57944

Keywords:

  • Vietnam
  • United States of America
  • Harold Holt

About this record

This photograph shows United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson among a crowd of people during an official visit to Australia in October 1966.

President Johnson and the Vietnam War

Lyndon B Johnson visited Australia during a crucial phase in the Vietnam War, which took place between 1962 and 1975. His visit was meant to strengthen relations between Australia and the United States at a time when the latter was calling for increased support from its allies.

Johnson's visit provided Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt with an opportunity to reaffirm Australia's policy position and gather public support for Australia’s involvement in Vietnam. Holt, who had invited Johnson to Australia, was steadfastly committed to the war effort. He was a firm supporter of the alliance with the United States. Holt's friendship with Johnson had led to his famous remark in Washington 4 months earlier that the president had a 'staunch friend that will be all the way with LBJ'.

Large crowds came out to see the president during his 4-day visit to major Australian capital cities. While there were reports of some anti-war protestors at these public tours, strong support was also visible. Curiosity probably contributed, at least partially, to the popularity of the tour, as Johnson was the first North American president to visit Australia while in office.

The Australian federal election took place a month after Johnson's visit. The Labor Party was campaigning against Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The timing of Johnson’s visit led some to ask whether the tour was intended to strengthen the election chances of the Liberal government under Harold Holt. Vietnam, though, was already on the top of the agenda, and Johnson's influence on increasing public support for Holt is inconclusive. Holt and the Liberal Party won an overwhelming victory in the November election.

Acknowledgments

Learning resource text © Education Services Australia Limited and the National Archives of Australia 2010.

Related themes

Theme

Australian troops - Royal Australian Regiment departing from a Chinook helicopter in South Vietnam

Vietnam War

To support our US allies, Australia sent almost 60,000 service personnel to South Vietnam from 1962 to 1975 to fight the spread of communism. Conscription forced many of these troops to serve.

Theme

Gough Whitlam - Addressing the National Press Club.

Prime ministers and politicians

Discover records about past prime ministers and politicians and the major events and policies of their governments.

Theme

American president Lyndon B Johnson waving from his motorcade surrounded by a crowd.

North America

Discover records about Australia’s relationships with North American nations.

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