Key People
President Lyndon Johnson
A key person in the Vietnam War was President Lyndon Johnson. President Johnson succeeded John F Kennedy as president in 1963 and like Kennedy Johnson advocated support for South Vietnam due to the “Domino Theory”. “If we quit Vietnam, tomorrow we’ll be fighting in Hawaii and next week we’ll have to be fighting in San Francisco.” Johnson escalated the involvement in the Vietnam War due to the Golf of Tonkin incident in 1964 where US Navy destroyers were reportedly attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats. Johnson's escalation plan was known “Operation Rolling Thunder” and was commenced on the 24th February 1965. This escalation plan drew USA allies such as New Zealand further into the war as Johnson placed pressure on those that had an alliance with America to support them in this war. Operation Rolling Thunder was initially intended to last for 3 weeks and would include intense bombing of the North Vietnam held territory in attempt to destroy the Viet Cong. However this was not successful with the Viet Cong attacking the US air bases in retaliation and on the 8th March 3,500 US Marines were committed to South Vietnam. The Viet Cong guerilla fighting style coupled with the mass number of people that were recruited by the Viet Cong made fighting hard for the US troops, who were used to tactical warfare. Operation Rolling Thunder lasted a total of 3 years and by 1968 there were over 400,000 troops in Vietnam. Operation Rolling Thunder had an estimated total cost of $9 million. The operation was phased out in 1968 when Johnson ended his presidency term and was succeed by Richard Nixon. |
Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake was a key individual in the Vietnam War protest. It was under Prime Minister Holyoake that New Zealand troops were committed to Vietnam and his announcement of committing troops to Vietnam via television broadcast sparked outrage amongst New Zealand citizens who felt that Holyoake was submitting to America rather than following New Zealand independent foreign policy. Holyoake was reluctant to commit troops to Vietnam however he supported the Domino theory and believed that New Zealand must show support to America and honor the SEATO and ANZUS treaties that had been signed during the 19650’s. Holoyake tried to minimise the involvement of military aid to America and provided just enough to show support with a total of 3500 New Zealand troops being sent. Holyoake reasoned that the commitment of troops was necessary in ensuring that New Zealand was supported by larger countries such as the US stating in a speech on Vietnam during 1966 “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. And if we are not prepared to play our part now, can we in good conscience expect our allies to help later on ”[1] Holyoake’s decision to commit troops to Vietnam was a key moment in New Zealand politics as it ended the bipartisan era, Labour did not support National parties decision and pushed for alternative aid to be given to Vietnam such as a non-violent approach by the United Nations. [1] G. A. Wood. 'Holyoake, Keith Jacka', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 22-Oct-2013 URL: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/24/holyoake-speaking-about-the-vietnam-war |
Key Group
Source: Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
URL:http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13276/
student-protest
Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1967/3661/1A-F
URL:http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13276/
student-protest
Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1967/3661/1A-F