A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF THE MID 20TH CENTURY
Who would have thought that while I am still alive I would
be part of history? The 20th
century was a tumultuous one. In my opinion it was the most life changing of
any other century, two World Wars, the great depression, the Korean and Vietnam
Wars. Television was invented and changed the way we lived. The contraceptive pill led to the sexual
revolution.But what about me personally? I have to say the 1960’s was my time. Mini skirts, stilettos (I’ve bunions to prove it), beehive hair dos, I couldn’t quite manage that, although I did tease the life out of my hair and regularly put in coloured rinses, French Plum or Rich Burgundy, were the colours I favoured. I can remember when the Beatles made their first visit out to
We used manual typewriters in those days. One original and four copies of everything we typed. I don’t know how many blouses I ruined because I got ink on the sleeves from changing the typewriter ribbon or the black stuff off the carbon paper.
During this time the Vietnam War loomed in the background.
The Australian government introduced conscription. It was in the form of a
ballot, or the death lottery as many called it. All twenty year old males had
to register, their birth dates were put into a barrel and a certain number were
drawn out, and those young men had to report to the army and subsequently many
of them were sent to Vietnam
I only had one brother, and I can clearly remember my father
(a World War 2 veteran) vowing, that if his son got called up, he would protest
on the steps of the parliament with a placard on his back.
There were protests marches, anti-war demonstrations, and
things often turned violent. Not that I went to any of the protest marches, but
a cousin of mine did and got trampled by a police horse. I can recall it all as clearly as if it only
happened a few years ago, not half a lifetime ago.
BLURB: MAKE LOVE NOT WAR
Make love, not war was the catch cry of the 1960’s. Against
a background of anti-war demonstrations, hippies and free love, Caroline’s life
is in turmoil. Her soldier brother is on his way to the jungles of 
5 comments:
The 60's were a tumultuous time in the U.S. also. I always learn how our countries are similar and yet different when I read your posts. "Make Love Not War" has it all when it comes to the challenges of thata decade!
Hi, Margaret,
You reminded me of all I felt and did in the 60's. I marched against the war in Vietnam. Protesting the USA being involved in that war, not protesting against the troops. They had no say, but were merely sent over by the government. Still I baked cookies and sent care packages to the troops. My post yesterday was about suicides of Vets, and a number of those 22 each day are Vietnam Vets. Your book sounds like it covers the era of the 60's well. Can't wait to read it!
Hi Judith,
Yes I realize the sixties was a tumutuous time in the US as well. And we were part of it, that is what I find so exciting.
regards
Margaret
Hi Diana,
Pure coincidence that my post followed yours, but they do tie in nicely don't they. The suicide rate of Vietnam veterans here in Australia was very high, I do think a lot of it because of the reception they received on arriving home. The government, who sent them over there, shunted them home in the dead of night, and people ignored or vilified them.
It was really sickening.
And, it is happening all over again, that is the tragedy of it all.
Regards
Margaret
Your book sounds remarkable, Margaret!
I think one of the reasons Vietnam vets were treated so badly was that the war itself and the sacrifices they made seemed unreal to people back home. I was a child on Guam, and remember talking to wounded veterans recuperating there, as well as watching the B-52 bombers take off on raids. The war was very real to me.
I also think another reason Vietnam vets have a high rate of suicides and mental illness is that they went to war at an average age of nineteen (at least in the US), while WWII vets went to war at an average age of twenty-six.
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