An underlying longterm cause of the Vietnam protests was the Alliances that New Zealand had formed with America during the 1950’s.
During the 1950’s Communism was seen as a significant threat. America was firmly focused on defeating communism due to their fear of the “Domino theory” which was first referred to by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. The Domino theory speculated ‘that if one state in a region was to fall to communism the surrounding states would follow in a “domino effect”. New Zealand being a small nation believed that it had to rely on collective security thus signing the ANZUS and SEATO treaty and strengthening ties with the US. ANZUS was signed in September 1951 by New Zealand, Australia and the United States. The treaty was for the “purpose of providing mutual aid in the event of aggression and for settling disputes by peaceful means”. This ensured collective security where each nation could support each other against breaches of the peace in the Pacific and from the threat of communism. In signing ANZUS New Zealand strengthen its defense ties with the US and began the process of loosening ties with 'the mother country', Britain. Following ANZUS, SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organisation) was signed in 1954 by 8 nations, Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Phillippines, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States. The purpose of this treaty was to create an alliance with countries in order to contain communist superpowers such as China and provide a means of preventing communism from spreading to other neighboring nations. This agreement was part of New Zealand’s ‘forward defense strategy’ and, the following year NZ troops were committed to Singapore and Malaysia in attempt to contain communism and ensure that it could not spread to New Zealand. These treaties ultimately led to the New Zealand involvement in Vietnam and the protests that followed. |
The growing counter-culture movement in New Zealand was a short-term cause of the anti-Vietnam protest.
In the 1960s and 70s New Zealand society began to be revolutionised as Youth began to question the conservative nature of New Zealand society.
The new generations of ‘baby-boomers’ sought to reshape the society and sub cultures began to emerge such as the ‘Bodgies’ and ‘Widgies’. These groups drew influence from American Hollywood culture and sought to express their individuality in what was largely a repressive society. Communities that focused on peace and freedom also became popular during the late 60's and 70's. Hit Songs such as Imagine by the Beatles, and War, What is it Good for? By Edwin Starr contained messages that promoted peace and freedom, further influenced the counter culture amongst young New Zealanders leading to the Vietnam War protests.
In 1961 television was introduced to New Zealand and by 1968 there were more than half a millions registered T.V users nationwide. The Vietnam War became the first war to be televised worldwide. Footage of the fighting was played during the news, the images usually graphic and gruesome. A turning point in public opinion was the footage played in 1968 of the My Lai Massacre where 500 Vietnamese civilians were killed by American soldiers.
Strong anti-Vietnam protests in America also caught media attention and heavily influenced the protests in New Zealand. Protesting included marches, pamphlet distributions and sit-ins. In 1967 influential public figure Martin Luther King expressed his opposition to the US involvement in the Vietnam War, and, on the 14th April 1970 the Ohio National Guard shot four unarmed college students from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio during protests against Nixon’s Cambodia Campaign. New Zealand political party Labour also spurred on New Zealand’s protests with their stance against providing military aid.
In the 1960s and 70s New Zealand society began to be revolutionised as Youth began to question the conservative nature of New Zealand society.
The new generations of ‘baby-boomers’ sought to reshape the society and sub cultures began to emerge such as the ‘Bodgies’ and ‘Widgies’. These groups drew influence from American Hollywood culture and sought to express their individuality in what was largely a repressive society. Communities that focused on peace and freedom also became popular during the late 60's and 70's. Hit Songs such as Imagine by the Beatles, and War, What is it Good for? By Edwin Starr contained messages that promoted peace and freedom, further influenced the counter culture amongst young New Zealanders leading to the Vietnam War protests.
In 1961 television was introduced to New Zealand and by 1968 there were more than half a millions registered T.V users nationwide. The Vietnam War became the first war to be televised worldwide. Footage of the fighting was played during the news, the images usually graphic and gruesome. A turning point in public opinion was the footage played in 1968 of the My Lai Massacre where 500 Vietnamese civilians were killed by American soldiers.
Strong anti-Vietnam protests in America also caught media attention and heavily influenced the protests in New Zealand. Protesting included marches, pamphlet distributions and sit-ins. In 1967 influential public figure Martin Luther King expressed his opposition to the US involvement in the Vietnam War, and, on the 14th April 1970 the Ohio National Guard shot four unarmed college students from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio during protests against Nixon’s Cambodia Campaign. New Zealand political party Labour also spurred on New Zealand’s protests with their stance against providing military aid.
Peace Caraven at the Riverside Community
Source: Curtesy of the River Community
URL: http://www.theprow.org.nz/society/communal-lifestyle/#.U_w7-xZ-UZY
Source: Curtesy of the River Community
URL: http://www.theprow.org.nz/society/communal-lifestyle/#.U_w7-xZ-UZY
A major short-term cause of the Vietnam War protests was the involvement of New Zealand troops.
New Zealand Prime Minister K.J. Holyoake was reluctant to commit troops and was drawn into the Vietnam War due to the pressure from America to uphold the ANZUS and SEATO treaty’s, which had been signed in 1951 and 1954.
Although New Zealand was reluctant to be drawn into the War, Holyoake was mindful of the treaty’s signed and believed that New Zealand had to align itself with powerful allies such as USA. “The vital issue for Australia and New Zealand was not the need to restore stability in South Vietnam but to preserve our position with the United States as our major ally”. The domino theory can be seen as the underlying cause of Holyoke's decision to involve New Zealand in Vietnam civil war. "If South Vietnam falls to communism, it will then be the turn of Thailand, and Malaysia and every other small country in the area. In this eventually the threat of New Zealand would be that much closer to home.”
As a result of this New Zealand firstly sent a civilian surgical team in 1962, which worked at Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh province. Further America pressure saw the government commit a non-combatant military force in June 1964, which consisted of 25 Army engineers who were based in the capital of the Binh Duing province, Thu Dau Mot. Under President Lyndon Johnson military involvement was escalated in Vietnam during 1965 and as a result New Zealand came under more pressure to support the US. On the 24 May Prime Minister K.J. Holyoake agreed to commit a four-gun artillery battery, which consisted of approximately 120 men. As the fighting in Vietnam intensified New Zealand’s commitment of troops steadily increased until April 1971 when New Zealand troops began to be withdrawn, the last troops leaving in December 1972. A total of 3500 New Zealand troops fought in the war, 37 were killed and 187 wounded.
See Holyoake's Speech on Vietnam involvement here
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/24/holyoake-speaking-about-the-vietnam-war
New Zealand Soldier with Vietnamese Children
Photo sourced from
David Capie. 'Asia and New Zealand - The Cold War in Asia', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 16-Nov-12
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/36236/new-zealand-soldier-with-vietnamese-children-1969
Photo sourced from
David Capie. 'Asia and New Zealand - The Cold War in Asia', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 16-Nov-12
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/36236/new-zealand-soldier-with-vietnamese-children-1969