The Cold War - New Zealand Forces in Asia 1948-72

The Cold War

• term used to describe the rivalry that developed after the Second World War between the United States and its allies on the one hand and the Soviet Union and its allies on the other;
• called the Cold War because it did not actually lead to direct fighting that is, a 'hot war' between the superpowers
• the Cold War was waged by means such as war by proxy (e.g. between North and South Korea), economic pressure, selective aid, diplomatic manoeuvre, propaganda, assassination and low-intensity military operations
• the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is seen as the end of the Cold War.

The Cold War in New Zealand

New Zealand felt the impact of the Cold War and its associated armed conflicts. In the case of Korea, the New Zealand government showed its commitment to the United Nations and its notion of collective security as well as supporting the United States to contain the spread of communism. This policy was demonstrated again in the signing of security treaties such as ANZUS (1951) and the Manila Pact (1954) as New Zealand followed a policy of alliance-based security.

The Korean War boosted the New Zealand economy. The United States (to maintain its own strategic stockpile) purchased huge quantities of New Zealand wool (In what was the biggest wool boom in New Zealand history). Prices trebled.

Domestic affairs also saw the emergence of Cold War rhetoric and attitudes. This was no more evident than in response to the 1951 waterfront dispute. Striking unionists were labeled as communists by the government and their actions described as harming the war effort in Korea. The National government of Sidney Holland justified the use of the armed services to keep the ports of New Zealand running during this strike by linking it to the overall struggle against communism. 

In 1959 civil strife in Vietnam became more widespread. New Zealand reluctantly sent combat forces to Vietnam in 1965 to preserve its alliance with the United States. Along with people in other countries - many New Zealanders - questioned the wisdom of following what was seen as interference in Vietnam's domestic affairs. The Vietnam War was New Zealand's longest and most controversial military experience of the twentieth century and the only conflict in which it did not fight alongside the United Kingdom. Protests at home raised questions about New Zealand's foreign policy: was it determined in Wellington or Washington? New Zealanders argued that the government's policy of defence via alliances was fundamentally misguided and increased the likelihood of New Zealand getting dragged into wars that some considered none of our business.