Over ViewThe ANZUS alliance was signed in 1951 by Australia, New Zealand and America. In WWII Britain had proved that it was no longer as strong as it had once been and no longer had the hold over foreign countries like Singapore, like it used to. In result New Zealand felt that Britain wasn't strong enough to protect it. On top of this there was also fear if the 'Reds' with communism in Russia booming and communism spreading through South East Asia. By 1960 America had involved itself in the Vietnam civil war as the Viet Cong fought with support from North Vietnam to take over Southern Vietnam. While New Zealand resisted American urges to contribute to the fight, eventually the New Zealand government obliged. They feared that not doing so would weaken the ANZUS treaty which they hoped would protect New Zealand from the threat of communism. In 1964 nurses and engineers had already been sent to Vietnam but in may 1965 prime minister Keith Holyoake announced that a battery of 161 men would be sent to Vietnam. In response to this the New Zealand public protested against the war and against the bombings which occurred during the war. Horrific images from the war surfaced and most of New Zealand became greatly against any of ANZUS being in Vietnam. Due to the war there was also an influx of Vietnamese refugees into New Zealand. Protest against the war went till the end of New Zealand's involvement in the war (1960-1973). But other protest in relation to the ANZUS alliance occurred later for example the Nuclear Free protests.
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