SHORT TERM:
Polarisation of Public OpinionProtest movements in New Zealand against the Vietnam War divided society between those who were in support of New Zealand’s involvement and those who thought New Zealand had no place in the war. New Zealand was divided between conservatives, often the older generation who felt that New Zealand had to support the United States in the efforts to combat communism, and the radicals, which comprised mostly of youths who felt any kind of combatant contribution to the war in support of the United States isn't justified and believed that New Zealand should only contribute humanitarian aid.
While public opinion was polarized initially "Vietnam has steadily receded from public consciousness", (Historian Roberto Rabel) The issue was never fully resolved as division in public opinion is still present over the issue of New Zealands involvement in the Vietnam War. |
"Forty years on, the Vietnam War still conjures up negative images, of controversy, debate and regret. Some believe that New Zealander's fought well in a wrong cause, others remain convinced that New Zealand’s effort was a justified response to outside aggression." - Historian Ian McGibbon, 2010
Hostile Reception of TroopsThe hostile reception of the returned troops after their withdraw in 1972 was a consequence of protest movements. The anti-war movement effected society significantly, as momentum grew for the movement the returning soldiers came home to a divided society. Due to their role in an unpopular war, the anti-war activists labelled the veterans 'baby-killers' and 'warmongers'. The returned troops were not recognized or acknowledged by many in society including the Returned Service Association (RSA). The perceived official and public resentment to the veterans of the war lingered as indifference towards the physical and psychological consequences of serving in the Vietnam War. The anti-war movement echoed the international condemnation of intervention in the Vietnam War, a protest in A reception for the returning men from Vietnam was disrupted by protesters who accused the soldiers of being murderers and threw red paint to symbolize the Vietnamese deaths they are responsible for. Consequently many veterans felt bitter towards the public's treatment, as it was not until 2008 that they were officially welcomed home.
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LONG TERM:
"From now on, when we have to deal with a new situation, we will not say, what do the British think about it (or) what would the Americans want us to do? Our starting point will be , what do we think about it?" - Prime Minister Norman Kirk 1973 |
Political Change in New ZealandA transformation of politics in New Zealand was a direct consequence of the anti-Vietnam War movement as the movements activists challenged and criticized the basic principles the underpinned the countries post-war security policies. As support grew for the anti-war movement in New Zealand so did support for the New Zealand Labour Party, this aided the party's rise to power in 1972. The Labour Party was initially cautious to publicly oppose the governments policy on Vietnam, although in 1969 announced that if they party is elected it would withdraw all New Zealand troops from Vietnam.
The anti-war movement also produced future political leaders in New Zealand including future prime minister Helen Clark, who were drawn to the Labour Party due to its stance against the Vietnam War. The National Party remained strong in supporting the alliance based reasoning for New Zealands involvement in Vietnam whilst Labour suggested that New Zealand's foreign policy was due to be updated. Consequently an increasingly independent stance towards New Zealand's foreign policy was adopted and aimed to reflect the growing multi-cultural demographic of the country. After New Zealand troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, alliances held with the United States were not lost, although many anti-war protesters and members of the Labour Party called for the withdraw from ANZUS. Instead of complete disconnection with New Zealands major alliances the ability to oppose and questions decisions made by the United States was introduced. This allowed New Zealand to maintain its alliances to powerful nations yet allow independence on future issues, such as New Zealand's nuclear-free stance. The anti-war activists in New Zealand criticized the governments alliance policies as fundamentally misguided, rejecting the strategy of forward defense and disputed anti-war assumptions that communism in South-East Asia was a threat to New Zealand. |
LegacyThe Vietnam War left a strong legacy of injustice in New Zealand felt by many of the troops who served in the war. The treatment of veterans was not resolved until 1998 when the first Vietnam Parade occurred in Wellington, where veterans received recognition for their service in the Vietnam War. Government programs were established in 2005 with the purpose of helping veterans and their families, as well as the creation of a government trust fund with $250,000 for the families of veterans effected by the Vietnam War. In 2006 the government signed the Memorandum of Understanding which promised a public apology towards the veterans. This official government apology and the Tribute 08 celebration of the veterans service to New Zealand reflected the suffering of those that served in the Vietnam War.
Of the 3500 New Zealand troops sent to Vietnam 37 were killed and 187 were injured. Many of those who returned suffered severe post-war trauma being labeled as 'baby-killers' by the New Zealand public. The excessive use of agent orange, a defoliant used to remove jungle cover was extremely toxic, over 600 of the 3400 veterans were exposed to the chemical during the war and had unforeseen long term physical effects on the soldiers, many developed cancer due to the chemical exposure which had serious genetic consequences for the children of returned soldiers due to mutations of veterans DNA from the chemical exposure. |
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