Conclusion
For the United States, the Vietnam War had caused a huge controversy and was extremely disliked by the end, especially when they lost the war. The controversy in their nation was triggered when Americans thought they had not right to be involved in the Vietnam War. They invaded the country without actually declaring war and fought because Vietnam's politics were contrasting America's as they were beginning to follow Communism. Because of the Domino Theory that was created in the 1950's by John Foster Dulles, the America's Secretary of State believed that if one country was to fall into communism that soon the country next to it would fall into it, just like when a domino falls, the rest follow. He feared that America would fall into communism as it was spreading throughout the world, and the thought of Vietnam joining communism, meant that it spreading anymore would be unacceptable. In theory, America hadn't been suffering or affected at all because Vietnam was joining Communism. All that was affecting them was that they soldiers were away fighting for such a long period of time, 1963 to 1975, and 58,220 American soldiers died during the process. Considering the Vietnam War was the first televised war, witnessing news and pictures about the American progress during the war soon turned people against it. By 1971, 70% of Americans felt that the Vietnam War was wrong. Americans felt that their nation shouldn't have interfered in another country's politics and war, and wanted their soldiers home safe and sound, away from the war they didn't want to participate in any longer. Anti-war movements formed, and Americans protested on the streets. America's technological warfare just had no match to the Chinese trained, guerilla tactics of the Vietnamese. The war was costing the tax payer $150billion and a poll found that 70% of Americans opposed to let their tax help fund for the war that disagreed with. On April 23rd 1975, the current President, Gerald Ford announced that the war has ended, 'as far as America is concerned'. After they had lost the war in Vietnam, the U.S Military's reputation had been damaged, and they came home upset Americans and a major cost to pay from the failed war.
New Zealand's conclusion to Vietnam War
New Zealand had their 3500 troops removed from war after 8 years of fighting in 1972 by the current Prime Minister at the time, Norman Kirk. Before this, when the New Zealand Army arrived on Vietnam soil to support the American troops, they faced the same difficulties as the Americans did when fighting the Viet Minh, Viet Cong and NVA. New Zealand did although adjust to the terrain quickly though as it was similar to their home. Despite their best efforts, the New Zealand Army made no match to the guerrilla tactics that was used against them like the U.S Military. They were removed from war 3 years before President Gerald Ford removed the U.S Military from Vietnam. This significance of the Vietnam War to New Zealand was to support America provide their assistance in part of the ANZUS Alliance. The Vietnam War proved the increase in strong defence between New Zealand, Australia and the United States. This had been New Zealand's first participation in war that didn't include their usual ally, Great Britain. The Vietnam War also brought a turning point in the evolution of New Zealand's post-war foreign and security policies. As well as the positive effects of the Vietnam War, it came with the negatives as well. The New Zealand veterans, like the American veterans, suffered long time illnesses from Agent Orange, and also post traumatic stress disorders.
For the United States, the Vietnam War had caused a huge controversy and was extremely disliked by the end, especially when they lost the war. The controversy in their nation was triggered when Americans thought they had not right to be involved in the Vietnam War. They invaded the country without actually declaring war and fought because Vietnam's politics were contrasting America's as they were beginning to follow Communism. Because of the Domino Theory that was created in the 1950's by John Foster Dulles, the America's Secretary of State believed that if one country was to fall into communism that soon the country next to it would fall into it, just like when a domino falls, the rest follow. He feared that America would fall into communism as it was spreading throughout the world, and the thought of Vietnam joining communism, meant that it spreading anymore would be unacceptable. In theory, America hadn't been suffering or affected at all because Vietnam was joining Communism. All that was affecting them was that they soldiers were away fighting for such a long period of time, 1963 to 1975, and 58,220 American soldiers died during the process. Considering the Vietnam War was the first televised war, witnessing news and pictures about the American progress during the war soon turned people against it. By 1971, 70% of Americans felt that the Vietnam War was wrong. Americans felt that their nation shouldn't have interfered in another country's politics and war, and wanted their soldiers home safe and sound, away from the war they didn't want to participate in any longer. Anti-war movements formed, and Americans protested on the streets. America's technological warfare just had no match to the Chinese trained, guerilla tactics of the Vietnamese. The war was costing the tax payer $150billion and a poll found that 70% of Americans opposed to let their tax help fund for the war that disagreed with. On April 23rd 1975, the current President, Gerald Ford announced that the war has ended, 'as far as America is concerned'. After they had lost the war in Vietnam, the U.S Military's reputation had been damaged, and they came home upset Americans and a major cost to pay from the failed war.
New Zealand's conclusion to Vietnam War
New Zealand had their 3500 troops removed from war after 8 years of fighting in 1972 by the current Prime Minister at the time, Norman Kirk. Before this, when the New Zealand Army arrived on Vietnam soil to support the American troops, they faced the same difficulties as the Americans did when fighting the Viet Minh, Viet Cong and NVA. New Zealand did although adjust to the terrain quickly though as it was similar to their home. Despite their best efforts, the New Zealand Army made no match to the guerrilla tactics that was used against them like the U.S Military. They were removed from war 3 years before President Gerald Ford removed the U.S Military from Vietnam. This significance of the Vietnam War to New Zealand was to support America provide their assistance in part of the ANZUS Alliance. The Vietnam War proved the increase in strong defence between New Zealand, Australia and the United States. This had been New Zealand's first participation in war that didn't include their usual ally, Great Britain. The Vietnam War also brought a turning point in the evolution of New Zealand's post-war foreign and security policies. As well as the positive effects of the Vietnam War, it came with the negatives as well. The New Zealand veterans, like the American veterans, suffered long time illnesses from Agent Orange, and also post traumatic stress disorders.
