Use the feature New Zealand forces in Asia 1948–72 and your own knowledge and ideas to help you complete these activities:
Korean War (1950–53)
a. Provide at least three reasons why New Zealand was so willing to participate in the Korean War.
b. Was the conflict between North and South Korea an internal or international one? Explain your answer.
c. How would you describe the nature of New Zealand's military involvement in Korea?
d. What economic benefits did the Korean War bring to the New Zealand economy?
e. Why did Prime Minister Holland and his minister of labour, William Sullivan, refer to the leaders of the waterfront workers as 'communist wreckers' during the waterfront dispute of 1951? See War on the wharves – the 1951 waterfront dispute.
Malayan Emergency (1948–60)
f. What was the primary role of the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve, in which New Zealand became more directly involved in 1955?
g. Why was New Zealand caught up in affairs in Malaya during the 1950s?
h. Would you describe the Malayan emergency as an example of the domino theory or a local issue? Explain your answer.
Vietnam War (1959–75)
i. What specific agreement led to New Zealand's involvement in Vietnam?
j. What other factors influenced the New Zealand government's decision to commit troops to Vienam?
k. When did New Zealand first send troops to Vietnam?
l. What were the major differences between the New Zealand Labour Party and the National Party regarding involvement in Vietnam?
m. What were some of the particular reasons why the Vietnam War was so unpopular with some New Zealanders ?
n. Why does Roberto Rabel describe the Vietnam War as New Zealand's 'most controversial military experience of the twentieth century?'
