Causes of the Vietnam WarThe Vietnam WarThe Vietnam war is often called the ‘American War’ in Vietnam due to how heavily America was involved in the war. Generally in western countries it is referred to as the Second Indochina war and it lasted 16 years from 1959 to 1975, ending in the loss of American supported South Vietnam and the rise of the communist Government. In 1954 the battle between the French and the Viet Minh left Vietnam divided into an American-controlled South and a communist north. America claimed to hold control to prevent the spread of communism, and to do so they cancel elections in South Vietnam and put Ngo Dinh Diem, a puppet leader, in control. The conflict began a few years later as the communist north (Viet Cong) aimed to take control of the American-supported Republic of Vietnam. The leader of the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam, in the North, Ho Chi Minh was highly popular. He was a main factor into the fall of French control in Vietnam whereas South Vietnam was united under a falsely elected leader despite being promised an election in the peace settlement of 1965. The Viet Cong gradually got closer to South Vietnam’s capital, Saigon, in the early 60’s and America put pressure on its new allies such as Australia and New Zealand (due to ANZUS alliance) to aid South Vietnam. Australia arriving in Vietnam in August 1962 with New Zealand sending people over from 1964.
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The ANZUS Alliance |
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A main cause of the sending of New Zealanders to Vietnam was the signing of the ANZUS Alliance in 1951. The alliance occurred because the British hold in Singapore was shown to be weak when the British forces surrendered to the Japanese in WWII. New Zealand saw this as a sign that the strength of Britain and its reach over foreign countries was greatly failing. Due to this new distrust in British power New Zealand, as a small and vulnerable country, felt the need to find protection elsewhere. With supposed Communist threat coming from both Russia (lingering claims that Russia aimed to take over New Zealand for land) and Communism spreading through South-East Asia, New Zealand felt it was incredibly vulnerable. Intellectuals such as political cartoonist voiced concerns that America was fear-mongering and pulling New Zealand (and Australia) into a position where they felt they had to sign the alliance for the safety of the country. The discussions for the ANZUS alliance began in 1949 but the treaty was signed in San Francisco in 1951. The period of the Vietnam war began in 1955 with America being heavily involved from early on. Because of the alliance New Zealand was pressured (by America) to aid America and South Vietnam against the Viet Cong/ North Vietnam. New Zealand was afraid that if they did not offer support that they would be dropped from the alliance, however a large number of troops were occupied in Malaysia and so the amount of New Zealanders sent overall was quite small. New Zealand’s direct involvement in the war began in 1963 and army nurses and engineers were sent in 1964 and then the batter of 161 men were sent to Vietnam in mid 1965.
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America need for Political Support |
While America had a strong enough military force to give a substantial fight alone, it needed and wanted political support which is why it called on its allies. With other countries involved America would a far easier time justifying its involvement in the war and trying to gather support for their involvement.
However Holyoake understood that the Viet Cong were powerful enemies and the American supported south was unstable and run by an unpopular leader- Ngo Dinh Diem. Because of this Holyoake had to carefully make a very difficult decision in whether or not and how New Zealand would participate in the war.
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>>SEATO and Political Pressure |
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Key Ideas:
Political responsibilities and pressures forced New Zealand to get involved in the Vietnam war
Fear of communism spreading and affecting their own countries was a major factor into western countries taking part in the war.
New Zealand joined SEATO under the guise of protecting South East Asian countries under threat of communism but aimed mostly to use it as an excuse to take part in the war and politically support America’s actions.
Political responsibilities and pressures forced New Zealand to get involved in the Vietnam war
Fear of communism spreading and affecting their own countries was a major factor into western countries taking part in the war.
New Zealand joined SEATO under the guise of protecting South East Asian countries under threat of communism but aimed mostly to use it as an excuse to take part in the war and politically support America’s actions.