The Counter-Culture Movement
The growing counter-culture movement in New Zealand was a significant factor in how the protest movement against Vietnam expanded. New Zealand was following the international trend, and began to question the conservative nature of society. Exposure to new and revolutionary ideas about the new ideals for society spread from overseas through the introduction of television to become common place in many households, the international influence on many New Zealander's, especially young people. Influence stemmed also from music groups such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the messages carried in the music impacted counter culture globally. The counter-culture movement reflected anti-authoritarian, anti-war and pacifist forces, and the increased protest activity and the radicalization of protest groups stemmed from prime minister Holyoake's decision to send New Zealand troops in 1965, as well as the visits from US president Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and the South Vietnamese Premier Air Vice Marshall Ky in 1967.
Television had a significant impact on the exposure New Zealander's had to events occurring globally, including the Vietnam War. The first official television broadcast occurred in New Zealand in 1960 and by 1962 there were approximately 23,000 television license holders nationally which by 1968 had risen to more than half a million. The introduction of television into the household exposed New Zealander's to ideas, places and influences, television also provided a platform for the first fully televised war.
Television had a significant impact on the exposure New Zealander's had to events occurring globally, including the Vietnam War. The first official television broadcast occurred in New Zealand in 1960 and by 1962 there were approximately 23,000 television license holders nationally which by 1968 had risen to more than half a million. The introduction of television into the household exposed New Zealander's to ideas, places and influences, television also provided a platform for the first fully televised war.
New Zealands Involvment
New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War stemmed from obligations to allied agreements, despite opposition from the public. In 1963 a civilian surgical team and a 25 man non-combatant engineer unit were committed by the New Zealand government to assist the war effort in Vietnam. When the war was escalated in 1965 and the United States forces increased its military involvement, it called upon its allies to do the same. The decision to send combat troops by the Holyoake government in 1965 was done in fear of harming New Zealands security in the long-term if it did not 'fly our flag' alongside America. On the 16th of July 1965 prime minister Holyoake reported to cabinet "In the long-term any American defeat if retreat could be disastrous for us. Our offer of military assistance was understandable in these terms but our objective remains a political one – to bring about a negotiated settlement… We must back up the Americans and the Vietnamese. But at the same time we must do everything we can to encourage meaningful negotiations.” The Holyoake government lacked enthusiasm for the Vietnam War efforts as they were not convinced in the 'domino theory' or the threat of communism in the region. The New Zealand government’s stance on the Vietnam conflict was shaped by general Cold War concerns and alliance considerations, alongside public concerns about becoming militarily involved
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Opposition to Alliances
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Pressure on the New Zealand government grew as the US escalated the war and increased pressure on its allies to increase support. New Zealand search to find security and stability in the Pacific originated from the fear of communism and New Zealand's prior involvement in South East Asia, which served to strengthen the alliances between New Zealand and the United States. This search intensified when the Cold War spread to South East Asia and became the focus of what was labelled the 'Forward Defense Strategy' by the New Zealand military. The Vietnam war caused a major change in New Zealands alliances as it was the first in which New Zealand fought without the presence of Great Britain and reflected the growing defense ties with the United States, this decision lead to a growing counter-culture movement which held the view that New Zealand had no place in the Vietnam War.
New Zealand was draw into the Vietnam War as a result of alliances to America through the ANZUS treaty, which was signed in 1951 by New Zealand, Australia and the United States and offered collective security in the Pacific region against the threat of communism. The signing of ANZUS alliance marked a significant shift in foreign relations as it was the first treaty signed by New Zealand without the presence of Great Britain. The SEATO agreement was signed by New Zealand in attempt to block further communist gains and also to improve the social and economic situation in the Pacific. The newly formed alliance between America and New Zealand made it increasingly difficult for New Zealand to avoid being drawn into the conflict, although Prime Minister Holyoake was reluctant to offer support despite the inclination to do so because of New Zealand’s treaty obligations, apprehension was felt due to the South Vietnamese US puppet leader Diem was unpopular and unstable. The anti-war activists believed that New Zealand had no place in the war except as a humanitarian role. At the time the feelings of people in regard to the ongoing issues were interpreted and expressed in many mediums, one of these is through cartoons, The first cartoon (Figure One) depicts Uncle Sam pushing the leaders of New Zealand (Keith Holyoake) and Australia (Robert Menzies) down the road to Vietnam, urging them to make stronger contributions to the war effort in Vietnam. Figure Two, depicts a group of men (SEATO) with a snake (Laos) tightly coiled around them, showing that the pressure of events unfolding in South East Asia id growing, it is the conflict in Laos that lead to the conflict in Vietnam to arise. |