When we look at the historical significance of the anti Vietnam protests, the effect it had at the time, how many people were affected and the lasting consequences of the event all have to be analysed. According to Peter Sexias the significance of anti-Vietnam protests on New Zealand can be defined in to 3 main criteria Criteria 1: the event had deep consequences Criteria 2: the event affected many people and Criteria 3: the consequences of this event lasted for a long period of time.
The anti-Vietnam protests can be seen as a significant event, while statistically our involvement was very small The commitment of troops sparked wide-ranging debate, which extended throughout the country and temporarily polarised New Zealand society. Society was divided between those who supported National’s Vietnam Policy and the radical younger generation that questioned society and sought to become more independent. Much of the New Zealand public questioned the legitimacy of the Vietnam war and believed that New Zealand had no place to be interfering in Vietnam civil war. Historian Ian Mcgibbon outlines the reasons for protest "...there was opposition on moral grounds for reasons ranging from pacifist convictions to objections to the weapons being used...The charge also made that the United States and its allies were interfering in a civil war." The growing counter-culture movement in New Zealand coupled with the controversial nature of the war saw the formation of protest groups such as the Progressive Youth Movement and Committee on Vietnam. The PYM and other anti-war groups radicalised protesting in New Zealand and carried out large-scale protests throughout the nation. Historian James Belich sees these protests as “precursors to new public contestation against accepted norms and values of society”. Thus the anti-war protest spawned new protest groups that sought to bring other international and national issues to the focus of New Zealand Society. These included movements such as Women’s rights and Maori activism. Belich describes this process as ‘decolonisation’ with the Vietnam Protests being the ‘First of seven major issues of contestation in 1970’s’. The change and redirection of New Zealand foreign policy can be attributed to the anti-war movement. Those who opposed National called for a more independent foreign policy and were supported by the Labour party who proposed to withdraw all New Zealand troops during the 1969 elections. Opposition between Labour and National saw the end of the bipartisan era and when Labour was elected in 1969 foreign relations were redirected to focus on the Pacific region and Trade. New Zealand military defense also changed for the long term seeing the role of troops focused towards international peace keeping. The anti-Vietnam war left long-term deep consequences for the troops who were committed to the war effort. Many families and soldiers psychologically from protestors action and exposure to toxic chemicals during the war had unforeseen long-term effects on the soldiers and their families. An official apology to the Veterans was not issued until 2008, nearly 40 years after the Vietnam War.
Although the Vietnam was has shifted out of focus for New Zealand the protests remain a significant part of New Zealand history. The Anti-war movement was a defining part of New Zealand history as the younger generation strove to be more independent paving the way for other important events such as New Zealand being Nuclear Free and a push to equalize women’s rights in New Zealand society. Historian Ian Mcgibbon describes the Vietnam protests as a catalyst for future ongoing debates about identity and independence in foreign policy.
“Such Diverse has lingered because the debate precipitated by the Vietnam War was not merely about a tragic conflict in a distant Asian Country or the correctness of American policy but brought to prominence competing visions of the role New Zealand should play in the World. In that sense New Zealand’s Vietnam involvement was most significant as a catalyst for a larger ongoing debate about the relationship between national identity and ‘independence’ in foreign policy.” Ian Mcgibbon, The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History
The anti-Vietnam protests can be seen as a significant event, while statistically our involvement was very small The commitment of troops sparked wide-ranging debate, which extended throughout the country and temporarily polarised New Zealand society. Society was divided between those who supported National’s Vietnam Policy and the radical younger generation that questioned society and sought to become more independent. Much of the New Zealand public questioned the legitimacy of the Vietnam war and believed that New Zealand had no place to be interfering in Vietnam civil war. Historian Ian Mcgibbon outlines the reasons for protest "...there was opposition on moral grounds for reasons ranging from pacifist convictions to objections to the weapons being used...The charge also made that the United States and its allies were interfering in a civil war." The growing counter-culture movement in New Zealand coupled with the controversial nature of the war saw the formation of protest groups such as the Progressive Youth Movement and Committee on Vietnam. The PYM and other anti-war groups radicalised protesting in New Zealand and carried out large-scale protests throughout the nation. Historian James Belich sees these protests as “precursors to new public contestation against accepted norms and values of society”. Thus the anti-war protest spawned new protest groups that sought to bring other international and national issues to the focus of New Zealand Society. These included movements such as Women’s rights and Maori activism. Belich describes this process as ‘decolonisation’ with the Vietnam Protests being the ‘First of seven major issues of contestation in 1970’s’. The change and redirection of New Zealand foreign policy can be attributed to the anti-war movement. Those who opposed National called for a more independent foreign policy and were supported by the Labour party who proposed to withdraw all New Zealand troops during the 1969 elections. Opposition between Labour and National saw the end of the bipartisan era and when Labour was elected in 1969 foreign relations were redirected to focus on the Pacific region and Trade. New Zealand military defense also changed for the long term seeing the role of troops focused towards international peace keeping. The anti-Vietnam war left long-term deep consequences for the troops who were committed to the war effort. Many families and soldiers psychologically from protestors action and exposure to toxic chemicals during the war had unforeseen long-term effects on the soldiers and their families. An official apology to the Veterans was not issued until 2008, nearly 40 years after the Vietnam War.
Although the Vietnam was has shifted out of focus for New Zealand the protests remain a significant part of New Zealand history. The Anti-war movement was a defining part of New Zealand history as the younger generation strove to be more independent paving the way for other important events such as New Zealand being Nuclear Free and a push to equalize women’s rights in New Zealand society. Historian Ian Mcgibbon describes the Vietnam protests as a catalyst for future ongoing debates about identity and independence in foreign policy.
“Such Diverse has lingered because the debate precipitated by the Vietnam War was not merely about a tragic conflict in a distant Asian Country or the correctness of American policy but brought to prominence competing visions of the role New Zealand should play in the World. In that sense New Zealand’s Vietnam involvement was most significant as a catalyst for a larger ongoing debate about the relationship between national identity and ‘independence’ in foreign policy.” Ian Mcgibbon, The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History