Bad Treatment
Key Idea: The division of public opinion leading to the negative treatment of
Vietnam War veterans in NZ was a key consequence of protest against the Vietnam
War in NZ.
With the defeat of South Vietnam in April 1975 the war came to a close. This left a death toll of almost 1.5 million soldiers and around 2 million civilians. US troops began being withdrawn from Vietnam and so too did NZ personnel as one of the Labour government's first acts after coming to power in December 1972. The effect of the movement was significant on NZ society. With the momentum the Anti-Vietnam War protest movement had gained soldiers came back to a nation that was divided like never before, with thousands marching in opposition in the last years of the war and questioning the government's alliance with the USA in a first for NZ society. Due to their role in the unpopular war, coming back to the divided nation some of those against the war labelled Veterans 'baby-killers' and 'warmongers'. Even the Returned Services Association (RSA) would not acknowledge them. Following the war many of these veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Agent Orange, a defoliant to remove jungle cover was also found to be extremely toxic with over 600 of the 3400 veterans dying from the cancers associated in the subsequent decades. Consequently many veterans felt incredibly bitter towards the public's treatment. It was not till 2008 that they were officially welcomed home.
Vietnam War veterans in NZ was a key consequence of protest against the Vietnam
War in NZ.
With the defeat of South Vietnam in April 1975 the war came to a close. This left a death toll of almost 1.5 million soldiers and around 2 million civilians. US troops began being withdrawn from Vietnam and so too did NZ personnel as one of the Labour government's first acts after coming to power in December 1972. The effect of the movement was significant on NZ society. With the momentum the Anti-Vietnam War protest movement had gained soldiers came back to a nation that was divided like never before, with thousands marching in opposition in the last years of the war and questioning the government's alliance with the USA in a first for NZ society. Due to their role in the unpopular war, coming back to the divided nation some of those against the war labelled Veterans 'baby-killers' and 'warmongers'. Even the Returned Services Association (RSA) would not acknowledge them. Following the war many of these veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Agent Orange, a defoliant to remove jungle cover was also found to be extremely toxic with over 600 of the 3400 veterans dying from the cancers associated in the subsequent decades. Consequently many veterans felt incredibly bitter towards the public's treatment. It was not till 2008 that they were officially welcomed home.
Political Changes
Key Idea: Political change in NZ came as a short term consequence of protest against the Vietnam War in NZ.
The mounting support of the Anti-War movement in NZ would aid in the New Zealand Labour Party's rise to power in 1972. Initially the party had been cautious about opposing the governments policy on Vietnam. However, from 1969 announced if elected, it would withdraw troops which was the case although by this stage the majority of troops had been withdrawn. The Anti-War protest movement in NZ also gave rise to the future leaders of the Labour Party including Helen Clark and Phil Goff and many others who were drawn to Labour as part of its stance on Vietnam. Whilst the National Party maintained the alliance based reasoning for sending troops to Vietnam, Labour called for a re-think of foreign policy post 1973. Subsequently they embarked on an increasingly independent stance towards world affairs which reflected the multi-cultural makeup of the country. Despite the small NZ involvement in Vietnam, NZ's alliance with the US was not lost, however many Labour Party Members and Anti-War protesters called for a withdrawal from ANZUS. Instead the ability oppose certain ideas and question the US was established, allowing us to maintain our alliances whilst in future hold our nuclear-free stance. That being said, although the alliances were not lost the ties with the USA and Britain were loosened.
The mounting support of the Anti-War movement in NZ would aid in the New Zealand Labour Party's rise to power in 1972. Initially the party had been cautious about opposing the governments policy on Vietnam. However, from 1969 announced if elected, it would withdraw troops which was the case although by this stage the majority of troops had been withdrawn. The Anti-War protest movement in NZ also gave rise to the future leaders of the Labour Party including Helen Clark and Phil Goff and many others who were drawn to Labour as part of its stance on Vietnam. Whilst the National Party maintained the alliance based reasoning for sending troops to Vietnam, Labour called for a re-think of foreign policy post 1973. Subsequently they embarked on an increasingly independent stance towards world affairs which reflected the multi-cultural makeup of the country. Despite the small NZ involvement in Vietnam, NZ's alliance with the US was not lost, however many Labour Party Members and Anti-War protesters called for a withdrawal from ANZUS. Instead the ability oppose certain ideas and question the US was established, allowing us to maintain our alliances whilst in future hold our nuclear-free stance. That being said, although the alliances were not lost the ties with the USA and Britain were loosened.