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Formation of the CND
One of the main factors of protest against nuclear testing in the Pacific was the formation of the CND (campaign for nuclear disarmament). This group was at the forefront of the anti-nuclear movement, and was integral in establishment of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone. The CND was formed in the United Kingdom in 1957, after spanning and branching out throughout much of the western world and society. The CND’s logo is a measure of the success of this group becoming synonymous with the anti-nuclear movement and the peace movement itself (see picture) this group was at the centre of the anti-nuclear movement of New Zealand. The New Zealand branch of the CND was formed in Christchurch in 1959, which follows the history of many of the radical groups to be formed out of Christchurch for instance the Passive Resistors Union, which formed against compulsory military training and conscription both in the lead up and during the First World War. Initially, in 1959 the CND (NZ) voted against British bomb testing in the Australia to the United Nations, however Britain, Australia and the United States all abstained. Then after reports of French testing on the Mururoa Atoll, the CND took radical action in the form of peace protests, marches and any way to stop this French testing in the Pacific. The CND were instrumental in the stopping of hydrogen bomb tests in the Pacific, and strongly advocated against the old formed alliance of ANZUS. And in 1963 the New Zealand branch of the CND presented the “no bombs south of the line” petition, going against bomb tests in the southern hemisphere, this was the laregest petition seen since 1893 during the women’s suffrage movement. |
The Threat Caused by the Cold War
With the emergence of the Cold War in the latter half of the 20th Century, which was the developed rivalry between the United States of America and the Soviet Union over the build-up of nuclear armaments, in terms of warheads and armaments such as nuclear submarines. Events such as the communist victory in the Chinese and Korean civil wars would only act to bolster the growing threat of communism to the western world. The Cold War as a whole, served to open the worlds eyes to the intense impact that could be dealt at the hands of nuclear armaments. Although no “conflict” as such broke out, tensions were extremely high between the two super powers of the United States and Soviet Union. Many Americans, Soviets and also people from around the world begun to make preparations in case conflict did emerge and the inevitable fall out that would ensue. These tensions not only in America and Russia, but again throughout the World, were balanced on a knife edge during the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the Soviets moving nuclear weapons on the Caribbean country of Cuba, and more importantly within striking distance of the United States. Ultimately the threat posed to New Zealand as a result of the Cold War was to the country and the peace of the world in general. Acting to bring people’s attention to the very real threat of a nuclear war across the globe, and even a place like New Zealand would be affected and has something to loose.
With the emergence of the Cold War in the latter half of the 20th Century, which was the developed rivalry between the United States of America and the Soviet Union over the build-up of nuclear armaments, in terms of warheads and armaments such as nuclear submarines. Events such as the communist victory in the Chinese and Korean civil wars would only act to bolster the growing threat of communism to the western world. The Cold War as a whole, served to open the worlds eyes to the intense impact that could be dealt at the hands of nuclear armaments. Although no “conflict” as such broke out, tensions were extremely high between the two super powers of the United States and Soviet Union. Many Americans, Soviets and also people from around the world begun to make preparations in case conflict did emerge and the inevitable fall out that would ensue. These tensions not only in America and Russia, but again throughout the World, were balanced on a knife edge during the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the Soviets moving nuclear weapons on the Caribbean country of Cuba, and more importantly within striking distance of the United States. Ultimately the threat posed to New Zealand as a result of the Cold War was to the country and the peace of the world in general. Acting to bring people’s attention to the very real threat of a nuclear war across the globe, and even a place like New Zealand would be affected and has something to loose.
The Emergence of Nuclear Power and
Weapons
The emergence of nuclear power, un-known to the people of the time would have a radical impact to the lives of many peoples and societies both at the time and many years further on into the future, for reasons un-related to the use of electricity. At the start of the nuclear era, the new method of power was hailed as a God-send. However no one, could have conceived the new age physical applications of the harnessing the power of atoms, first shown by famous New Zealand scientist Ernest Rutherford. The raw power of nuclear energy was revealed rather controversially with the dropping of the first nuclear bomb over Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War to a devastating effect, levelling much of the city to the ground. These incredible images of the bomb dropping on this Japanese city were a revelation to many people around the world to the awesome might that the Atomic bomb can behold. Also another catastrophic event that alluded to the devastating might that nuclear power possesses was the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, occurring in the Soviet city of Chernobyl. This devastating event significantly impacted on many lives of people both at the time and to this day due to such impacts as radiation poisoning, which enlightened all of the world to the might of the atomic bomb. However this did not stop the pursuit of crafting and perfecting the use of the hydrogen bomb, and countries such as the United States of America and the Soviet Union continued their investment in the production and perfection of nuclear warheads, which were labelled as “defensive strategies.” This policy of the expansion of nuclear arsenals was key in the lead up to the anti-nuclear movement, as protestors saw this as the beginning of the end in many ways, in terms of an all-out nuclear war.
The emergence of nuclear power, un-known to the people of the time would have a radical impact to the lives of many peoples and societies both at the time and many years further on into the future, for reasons un-related to the use of electricity. At the start of the nuclear era, the new method of power was hailed as a God-send. However no one, could have conceived the new age physical applications of the harnessing the power of atoms, first shown by famous New Zealand scientist Ernest Rutherford. The raw power of nuclear energy was revealed rather controversially with the dropping of the first nuclear bomb over Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War to a devastating effect, levelling much of the city to the ground. These incredible images of the bomb dropping on this Japanese city were a revelation to many people around the world to the awesome might that the Atomic bomb can behold. Also another catastrophic event that alluded to the devastating might that nuclear power possesses was the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, occurring in the Soviet city of Chernobyl. This devastating event significantly impacted on many lives of people both at the time and to this day due to such impacts as radiation poisoning, which enlightened all of the world to the might of the atomic bomb. However this did not stop the pursuit of crafting and perfecting the use of the hydrogen bomb, and countries such as the United States of America and the Soviet Union continued their investment in the production and perfection of nuclear warheads, which were labelled as “defensive strategies.” This policy of the expansion of nuclear arsenals was key in the lead up to the anti-nuclear movement, as protestors saw this as the beginning of the end in many ways, in terms of an all-out nuclear war.
Initial Testing
Whilst nuclear testing had occurred during the Second World War, and the first atomic bomb was dropped during the War, many states such as the United States wished to continue with the nuclear programs well after the Second World War. The legacy of ploys such as the Manhattan Project would inevitably be the dropping of the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, testing would still continue for perfection and the refinement of such weapons. Over these testing years, the American government amassed a total of some 1000 nuclear tests ranging from atmospheric to subterranean. Also there were a number of weapons tests in Australia, the physically closest point nuclear weapons tests got to New Zealand. These were carried out by the British and French, however many New Zealanders imploring the Australians to stop this at once.
Whilst nuclear testing had occurred during the Second World War, and the first atomic bomb was dropped during the War, many states such as the United States wished to continue with the nuclear programs well after the Second World War. The legacy of ploys such as the Manhattan Project would inevitably be the dropping of the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, testing would still continue for perfection and the refinement of such weapons. Over these testing years, the American government amassed a total of some 1000 nuclear tests ranging from atmospheric to subterranean. Also there were a number of weapons tests in Australia, the physically closest point nuclear weapons tests got to New Zealand. These were carried out by the British and French, however many New Zealanders imploring the Australians to stop this at once.
French Testing in the Pacific
The cause of French testing in the pacific would ultimately be the penultimate cause in the lead up to the anti-nuclear protest movement. This would serve to push New Zealand advocates for a nuclear free world off the edge and drive them on a course of protest and action against nuclear weaponry. The French decided to begin their testing on the now infamous Mururoa Atoll near to Easter Island in the south-pacific. France is known as one of the many nuclear weaponised states and was a pioneer of the hydrogen bomb, post WW-II. Out of the some 200 plus nuclear tests ran between 1960 and 1996 around 190 were carried out in the South Pacific, with the last to be tested there in 1996. (the other location were French testing occurred was in Algeria) the effect of this testing was so significant, that it even led some people to ask for a boycott of French products as shown in the image above.
The cause of French testing in the pacific would ultimately be the penultimate cause in the lead up to the anti-nuclear protest movement. This would serve to push New Zealand advocates for a nuclear free world off the edge and drive them on a course of protest and action against nuclear weaponry. The French decided to begin their testing on the now infamous Mururoa Atoll near to Easter Island in the south-pacific. France is known as one of the many nuclear weaponised states and was a pioneer of the hydrogen bomb, post WW-II. Out of the some 200 plus nuclear tests ran between 1960 and 1996 around 190 were carried out in the South Pacific, with the last to be tested there in 1996. (the other location were French testing occurred was in Algeria) the effect of this testing was so significant, that it even led some people to ask for a boycott of French products as shown in the image above.
Key Ideas
- the race for nuclear weapons post WW2 had turned into a display of might and power between rival nations
- CND formed due to the increase in numbers of nuclear testing. In a bid to show that they were against the use of nuclear power and weaponry
- The testing that the French had undertaken and the protesting that followed at Mururoa was a defining point of the anti-nuclear movement in New Zealand
- Large amount of protestors from groups such as the CND fell under the counter culture movement who had previously been protesting against racial issues such as the Springbok Tour. These groups were mainly made up of youth sects however the anti-nuclear movement consumed a larger variety of ages from all around New Zealand.
- I'm a stupid cunt who left this untill literally the last minute and wasted my 'friends' time while being a cunt about it
