Counter-Culture Movement
The counter-culture movement in the '60s and '70s was paired with a dramatic increase in protest action, which fueled anti-Vietnam War protests. This change in society and attitudes allowed for the rise of this movement. This was an underlying cause that had both social and political factors. The 1960’s and 1970’s was a time of global cultural change that mobilised young people all over the world. The New Zealand counter-culture movement evolved out of the American and European movements and reflected a number of historical forces such as anti-authoritarian, anti-war and pacifism forces which were centered on the Vietnam War. Many New Zealanders desired a change in society and attitudes. Through idealism and optimism they desired to created a better world. Historian T Boraman in his book “Rabble Rousers and Merry Pranksters” comments “In general, the radical student and youth movement questioned the lack of democracy and the quality of life in society.” The counter-culture movement was brought about by the generation of “baby boomers” as this generation came at a time of great opportunity and prosperity for them. The sentiment of disappointment of the youth towards what their parents had established after WWII encouraged radical thinking and along with the introduction of television broadcasting in New Zealand in 1960 which meant that New Zealand was better connected to global issues, the movement began. These were the stepping stones to the development of New Zealand counter-culture movements which was greatly influenced by the USA’s non-conformist ‘yippie’ movement. Society began voicing their concerns against racism in sport, the environment and anti-nuclear movements but the key area of focus was the Vietnam War. The movement aimed to re-shape New Zealand’s conservative, authoritarian and repressive society.
Security AlliancesNew Zealand was brought into the Vietnam war due to alliance agreements. New Zealand is comparatively a very small nation, and so is dependent on collective security. New Zealand’s involvement grew out of the intersection of certain major trends in there external relations after 1950, with the Cold War shaping security policies and a new reliance on the United States. There was a shift in Alliance orientation away from Great Britain due to the fear of Communism. These agreements included ANZUS signed in 1951 and SEATO signed in 1954. The ANZUS treaty was a mutual defense pact signed between Australia, New Zealand and the United States. For the US it was an alliance to counter the spread of communism in the Asia and Pacific region and for New Zealand and Australia it provided security against any threats from communism. The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation was another defense pact that was designed to block further communist advances in Indochina. New Zealand's fear that failure to stand by the United States would compromise their ANZUS agreement was a large factor in the decision to commit combat troops to Vietnam In 1965. SEATO was also a main reason for New Zealand’s participation in the Vietnam War as the government believed that New Zealand was to small to not be aligned with these larger power countries. The Cartoon by Gordon Minhinnick on the left refers to the South East Asia Treaty Organisation feeling the pressure from Laos to send troops in. New Zealand relied on the United States as a guarantor of New Zealand security, which required the paying of appropriate alliance agreements. This cause had political factors that led to these security alliances holding a great weight.
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New Zealand Involvement
Under American pressure, the New Zealand government agreed in 1963 to provide a small non-combatant military force. Holyoake’s government in the 1960s had to respond to growing pressures from American to intervene in Vietnam. New Zealand had to do this to preserve its position with the United States as a major ally. Gordon Minhinnick in his cartoon suggests that, in contrast to their public statements, prime ministers Robert Menzies of Australia (left) and Keith Holyoake of New Zealand (centre) were being pushed into the conflict by the US, represented by Uncle Sam in military uniform. In June 1964, 25 army engineers arrived in South Vietnam, where they were engaged in projects such as road- and bridge-building. After Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson intensified the war in Vietnam, starting with his construction of a North Vietnamese attack on two US ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964. In 1965, the bombing of North Vietnam began, and at the end of the year there were 184,300 US soldiers in the South. This was a short term cause will military, social and political implications. With this drastic escalation of the war, America called for further support from New Zealand. Australia also began to send troops which put more pressure on New Zealand as they would be damaging alliances between both their ANZUS partners if they did not provide further support. In May 1965 Holyoake announced the government’s decision to send 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, to South Vietnam in a combat role. The gunners were later joined by infantry units. On the 20th of October 1966, Lyndon B Johnson visited New Zealand to directly ask for support, which was the first visit to New Zealand from a United States President. This put pressure on New Zealand to continue with its commitment of troops.
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Polarising Opinions and Decline of Anti-War Movement
Americas involvement in the Vietnam War lead to polarizing opinions between people who advocated continued involvement in Vietnam and those who wanted peace. People internationally and in New Zealand began to question Americans incentives in being involved in this war. This lead to criticism towards the government for supporting American in their war effort. Many New Zealanders argued that the conflict was a civil war in which they should play no part. Media attention also played a substantial role in the polarization of New Zealand opinion regarding the Vietnam War. This was because images of the atrocities occurring in Vietnam were boardcasted daily which made people question what New Zealand part in this civil war was. Worldwide protest against the war centered on the policies and actions of the United States government. Critics of the war accused the New Zealand government of simply doing what the US told it to. This lead to a significant sector of New Zealand society with instinctive suspicions concerning the way in which the United States wields its power around the world. The public stance on Vietnam as the war progress was not one of unwavering support for the United States. The charge was also made that the United States was interferring in a civil war. This was an immediate cause leading to the formation of the Anti-Vietnam War movement and protests throughout New Zealand.