Essay: The Vietnam War

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The

Vietnam war was a significant historical event which was a part of

the wider Cold war conflict. The US involvement began in 1965 and

ended in 1973. It was fought to preserve a separate, independent

noncommunist government of South Vietnam. New Zealand's support and

contribution, though minimal played a rather important role in

affecting New Zealand society. Both significant short and long term

consequences arose for New Zealand following the ending of the war.

The

Vietnam conflict began before American became directly involved.

Before 1954, Indochina was under French colonial rule. However, the

Vietnam communist, Viet Minh fought for their freedom from the French

in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. The French defeat in 1954 came to an

agreement for Indochina. This led to a temporary division between

Vietnam on its 17th parallel. This created tension between

the North and South which was due to the cold war context of

communism vs. capitalism. The North would be controlled by the Viet

Minh and South Vietnam would be led by Ngo Dinh Diem. In South

Vietnam, the Viet Cong was a guerrilla group who supported North

Vietnam and communism. America was anxious and worried about the

spread of communism in Vietnam as they believed in the 'Domino

Theory'. The American's believed that if Vietnam fell to communism,

other countries in surrounding Vietnam would fall to the same regime.

Therefore, this fear of communism from US led to their escalation of

support from South Vietnam's inadequacy. The Gulk of Tonkin incident

was used to create US presence in Vietnam, where two US ships were

destroyed by the north.

In

1965, US troops were sent to fight together with South Vietnam.

Tactics such as search and destroy missions against guerrilla warfare

occured. These search and destroy consisted of searching out the

enemy and destroying them. A significant search and destory mission

during the war was the massacre of peaceful villages at My Lai in

1968. Also the use of Agent

Orange and Napalm were lefts its effect on Vietnam. These were both

toxic chemicals/substances which were used by the US as a military

weapon. In 1968, the Tet offensive did major damage to America's

credibility as it demonstrated strength and will from the enemy. The

Tet offensive did major damage to America's credibility as it

demonstrated strength and will from the enemy. The offensive was a

series of arranged attacks from the Viet Cong against South Vietnam

and US. As a result from the Tet Offensive, a policy was created by

Richard Nixon called Vietnamisation which enforced a larger amount of

South Vietnam troops along with a steady withdrawl of US troops. From

1965 to 1973, 2.5 million served with 58,000 deaths. But,

nevertheless though their efforts and tremendous support, the US

couldn't progress further and began to slowly decrease their

involvement from 1969 until an agreement of ceasefire in 1973.

From

the involvement of the US, New Zealand also gave its support and

participation through its troops it sent to Vietnam. The treaty

between America, Australia and New Zealand – ANZUS was signed

during 1951. ANZUS allowed security and protection for New Zealand,

but also made New Zealand obligated towards supporting USA in the

war. In 1963, a detachment of the Royal New Zealand Engineers and

surgical team was sent to Vietnam. As US troops were stationed in

Vietnam in 1965, military assistance was put upon New Zealand from

its ally. New Zealand government was reluctant to contribute, but

eventually allowed minimal, drip fed contribution to satisfy its

resistant ally. Later during the war, New Zealand slowly increased

its contribution. The 1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry

Regiment in Malaysia was deployed to Vietnam in 1967. From its

beginning of the war to the end, 3500 served New Zealand. Though New

Zealand's contribution was limited and minimal in comparison to

America's, it had many impacts on New Zealand society and political

systems.

The

Vietnam war had several short term effects which followed after the

ending of the war. An unfortunate short term effect was the number of

casualties. Amongst the estimated 3500 men who served New Zealand, 37

deaths and 187 wounded and injured were recorded. Another significant

short term effect was the protests which occurred during and after

the war resulting in divison. Aspects of New Zealand society was

angry with the government and its decision for involving the country

with Vietnam as they saw it as a civil war. The involvement caused

the people of New Zealand to question their government. The anger of

the population resulted in anti war protests throughout New Zealand.

An example of this is was in April 1971 when 35,000 people protested

on the streets. The different support in new Zealand also divided the

nation. The supporters of the involvement were rather conservative

and older, while the protestors were of the younger generation. This

was a social effect which divided New Zealand's nation and challenged

the government to an extent.

Also

the political issues which rose from the Vietnam war was a short term

effect that created differences and split between Labour and National

government. The decision to send forces to Vietnam initially gained a

high public support allowing the National party to not suffer.

Therefore, they returned to office twice, in 1966 and 1969. However,

as the war escalated, anti war movements occurred which questioned

National's alliance policies. So Labour and National's divergent

policies on Vietnam symbolised their wide differences. Thus, the

Vietnam war marked a turning point in the evolution of New Zealand's

post war policies.

The

major conflict also caused a few long term effects. A significant

long term effect was the physical disabilities passed on from the New

Zealand Vietnam soldiers to their children. The toxic chemicals such

as Agent Orange were used throughout the war which had effects on

soldiers who were exposed. This caused problems with reproduction and

genetic disorders. Therefore, this is still a long lasting effect

which is still evident in effecting some people. Another long term

effect was the unfair post Vietnam war treatment that New Zealand

soldiers received from their society. When they returned from war,

many veterans were shunned upon for their service. Only after 40

years did the Vietnam veterans of New Zealand receive an apology for

this treatment they received after the war. They were not recognised

for their loyalty or service for their country, but were looked down

upon from an unsuccessful and much protested war.

In

2008, the government publicly apologised to Vietnam veterans and

their families, recognising these men who were not treated fairly

when they returned from war.

In

conclusion, the Vietnam war was a very significant event in history

for New Zealand and the rest of the countries involved. The division

of Vietnam caused a large amount of US involvement and its allies.

America's strong and powerful tactics didn't amount to any success,

therefore the war was won by the communist North. The major conflict

had many short and long term effects on New Zealand which challenged

and changed New Zealand society which still is evident till this day.

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